Watch VANish

VANish is a 2015 action thriller film directed by Bryan Bockbrader and starring Maiara Walsh, Tony Todd, and Danny Trejo. The movie follows three criminals who abduct a woman named Emma (Maiara Walsh), with the intention of delivering her to a powerful crime boss. However, Emma proves to be more than they bargained for, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as she fights to escape her captors.

The opening scene of the movie sets the tone for what's to come, as we see three masked criminals (played by Austin Abke, Bryan Bockbrader, and Adam Guthrie) preparing for a job. They argue amongst themselves as they gear up, giving us a glimpse of their personalities and motivations. It's clear that they're not professionals, but rather a rag-tag group of criminals who have joined forces for this particular heist.

Their target is Emma, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. They plan to abduct her and hold her for ransom, but things quickly go awry when Emma proves to be a fighter. The first half of the movie focuses on the physical and psychological torture that Emma endures at the hands of her captors. We see her duct-taped to a chair, beaten, and threatened. However, Emma is not a helpless victim. She uses every weapon at her disposal to fight back, including her wit, her fists, and her feet.

As the movie progresses, we learn more about Emma's backstory and the reasons behind the kidnapping. We also get to see the dynamic between the three kidnappers, and witness the cracks in their alliance. Tony Todd plays a small but pivotal role as the crime boss who hired the trio, and his scenes are some of the most intense in the movie.

One of the standout elements of VANish is the action. The fight choreography is brutal and visceral, and doesn't shy away from showing the consequences of violence. There are several standout fight scenes, including a bloody brawl in a gas station and a tense showdown in a remote cabin. In addition to the fight scenes, the movie also features a lot of car chases and crashes, which are expertly shot and edited.

Another strength of the movie is its setting. VANish takes place almost entirely on the road, with the kidnappers driving Emma from one location to another. This constant movement creates a sense of urgency and tension, as there's always the risk of someone discovering their crime. The landscapes of the American Southwest also provide a striking visual backdrop, with dusty desert highways and neon-lit gas stations.

However, despite its strengths, VANish is not without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes feeling dragged out while others are over too quickly. Additionally, while Maiara Walsh gives a strong performance as Emma, the other characters can feel underdeveloped. It's clear that the focus of the movie is on Emma's journey, but it would have been nice to get a little more insight into the motivations and backgrounds of the other characters.

Overall, VANish is a solid action thriller that delivers on its promises of intense action and suspense. Fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy here, and the performances from Maiara Walsh and Tony Todd elevate the material. While it may not break any new ground, it's a solid example of what the genre is capable of.

VANish is a 2015 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.