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Review #59: Ransom.
A multimillionaire businessman and his wife are subjected to the ultimate horror when their young son vanishes from under their nose at a science convention and hasn’t been seen by anyone in the vicinity.
After waiting for hours, they receive the horrific news that their son has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding a ransom, or the boy will be mailed to them in pieces.
After by the FBI botch the ransom drop, the kidnappers raise their demands and their threats, forcing the father of the boy to take an incredibly drastic and cold-hearted step in getting his son back unharmed.
Ron Howard’s movie is by far one of the best-made movies I’ve seen in the past 20 years. It’s an absolute masterclass in tension and fear.
It’s incredibly well written and the twists contained in the story are extremely heart wrenching and brave. They’re also extremely shocking at times too. The handling of the twists is also another extremely well put together piece of filmmaking.
The overall film is brilliantly put together in screenplay terms too. By the end you feel yourself really willing Gibson to get his kid back.
The other good thing about the movie is the action when it gets going. It comes in short bursts and is utilised sparingly but is relentless during the time it’s used and really gets you on the edge of your seat. It’s not explosive so to speak, it’s just really well put together and pulse raising.
The acting is also another plus point.
Mel Gibson and Renee Russo as the parents of the boy are absolutely magnificent in their roles. Gibson in particular plays his breakdown over the movie’s running time absolutely perfectly. It’s one of the only times that a movie has made me cry, Gibson and Russo are that good as the distraught parents.
By far their best roles ever.
Gary Sinise is another brilliant piece of acting and casting as the leader of the kidnappers. He’s got a tension about him and a brutality that leaves the viewer never knowing what he’s planning.
Any bad points? Really not a lot, if anything at all.
All in all, it’s a very emotional film and very draining emotionally. It’s got the excitement factor that most action movies lack, even though it isn’t an action movie. Definitely a must see, and even more so it’s a must own on home cinema.
My rating is an easily given 100%
A multimillionaire businessman and his wife are subjected to the ultimate horror when their young son vanishes from under their nose at a science convention and hasn’t been seen by anyone in the vicinity.
After waiting for hours, they receive the horrific news that their son has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding a ransom, or the boy will be mailed to them in pieces.
After by the FBI botch the ransom drop, the kidnappers raise their demands and their threats, forcing the father of the boy to take an incredibly drastic and cold-hearted step in getting his son back unharmed.
Ron Howard’s movie is by far one of the best-made movies I’ve seen in the past 20 years. It’s an absolute masterclass in tension and fear.
It’s incredibly well written and the twists contained in the story are extremely heart wrenching and brave. They’re also extremely shocking at times too. The handling of the twists is also another extremely well put together piece of filmmaking.
The overall film is brilliantly put together in screenplay terms too. By the end you feel yourself really willing Gibson to get his kid back.
The other good thing about the movie is the action when it gets going. It comes in short bursts and is utilised sparingly but is relentless during the time it’s used and really gets you on the edge of your seat. It’s not explosive so to speak, it’s just really well put together and pulse raising.
The acting is also another plus point.
Mel Gibson and Renee Russo as the parents of the boy are absolutely magnificent in their roles. Gibson in particular plays his breakdown over the movie’s running time absolutely perfectly. It’s one of the only times that a movie has made me cry, Gibson and Russo are that good as the distraught parents.
By far their best roles ever.
Gary Sinise is another brilliant piece of acting and casting as the leader of the kidnappers. He’s got a tension about him and a brutality that leaves the viewer never knowing what he’s planning.
Any bad points? Really not a lot, if anything at all.
All in all, it’s a very emotional film and very draining emotionally. It’s got the excitement factor that most action movies lack, even though it isn’t an action movie. Definitely a must see, and even more so it’s a must own on home cinema.
My rating is an easily given 100%
