Watch Hostage

Hostage is a 2005 crime thriller directed by Florent-Emilio Siri and starring Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, and Serena Scott Thomas. The story follows Jeff Talley (Willis), a former LAPD hostage negotiator who now works as the police chief of a small Southern Californian town called Bristo Camino. One day, three teenagers break into a rich family's mansion and end up taking the family, including the father, Walter Smith (Pollak), and his two children, as hostages.

Talley is called to the scene and, with the help of his team, tries to negotiate with the teenagers to release the hostages. However, things take a turn for the worse when it is revealed that Walter Smith is not just a wealthy businessman but also a player in a corrupt real estate deal. The group behind the deal, led by Mars Krupcheck (Ben Foster), wants Smith to give them a sensitive file containing incriminating evidence.

As tensions rise and the situation becomes more complex, Talley finds himself in a race against time to not only save the hostages but also uncover the truth behind the kidnapping and protect his own family who have been taken hostage by Krupcheck's men.

The movie is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Bruce Willis delivers a solid performance as Talley, portraying the character's vulnerabilities and determination to do what is right. Kevin Pollak is also excellent as the wealthy hostage who stoically bears the brunt of the kidnappers' abuse.

Serena Scott Thomas plays Talley's estranged wife, Jane, who is responsible for their children's safety but also regrets the mistakes that led to their separation. Her performance adds emotional depth to the story, providing a strong counterbalance to the action-packed scenes.

The film's pacing is well-crafted, with a slow build-up that gradually increases in intensity as the situation becomes more complicated. The script effectively weaves in multiple plot lines, including Talley's troubled past, the power struggle between the kidnappers, and the corrupt dealings of the businessmen. These elements all come together in a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends without feeling overly contrived.

The movie's cinematography also deserves praise for its use of lighting and camerawork that heightens the tension and emphasizes the claustrophobic atmosphere of the hostage situation. The film's score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, adds to the tension and helps to elevate the emotional impact of the story.

Overall, Hostage is a well-crafted thriller that boasts strong performances from its cast and effective direction from Florent-Emilio Siri. The plot twists and turns keep the audience engaged, and the film's emotional depth gives the story a richness that elevates it above other films in the genre. If you're a fan of crime thrillers, Hostage is well worth a watch.

Hostage is a 2005 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 44.