“Hostage” (Miramax Films)
Bruce Willis is back in “Die Hard” mode in the new action movie “Hostage.” The film comes across as basically “die hard in the canyon” but any movie that is even somewhat similar to the “Die Hard” series is a step in the right direction for Willis’ career.
Willis plays Jeff Talley, a hostage negotiator in LA. When one of his “negotiations” takes a turn for the worse, Talley moves to a small town in the valley and becomes a local sheriff. There he thinks things will calm down and he can mend fences with his wife and daughter (Serena Scott Thomas and Rumer Willis) who he neglected while in LA.
Walter Smith (Kevin Pollack) lives in the valley with his two children. He is an accountant who lives in a mansion that is a virtual fortress. One day he and his children are at home when three young punks from the community break in and take them hostage. This brings Talley back to doing what he did before, but this time with a twist.
Smith keeps books for the mob and they want the information he has in the house. Therefore they tell Talley to get it out to them or they will murder his wife and daughter. This puts Talley between a rock and a hard place as he tries to save the “hostages” in the house as well as save his family members who are also being held “hostage.”
This is the kind of role Willis does best. He created this type of action hero when he brought John McClane to life in the “Die Hard” series. Talley isn’t quite as cool as McClane and he doesn’t have the flip remarks in his repertoire, but he does have the nerves of steel and strong desire to get the job done.
The other actors in the movie are competent but they are only backdrops for Willis’ talent. His real life daughter Rumer plays his daughter Amanda in the movie and this is a case of nepotism not being a good thing. Any hundred other actresses could have handled this role and done it better.
The film is rated R for profanity and violence.
“Hostage,” which is based on the novel by Robert Crais, is a fairly satisfying action story made better by Willis’ participation. It isn’t his best movie but is a major step up from “The Whole Ten Yards.” It will also sate our hunger for a Willis action film until “Die Hard 4” gets made.
I scored “Hostage” a negotiated 6 out of 10.
