After a failed hostage negotiation, former LAPD negotiator Jeff Talley (Willis) hides himself in the low crime rate hamlet of Bristo Camino. His new safe life comes under threat when a failed robbery by some delinquents results in a family being held hostage in their million dollar mansion. Still haunted by his past, Talley hands the crisis over to the Sheriff’s department and slinks away. However, Talley is thrusted back into taking control when, a crimelord kidnaps Talley’s own family, forcing him to retrieve some information from the house before the Sheriff’s department does. Talley must now face the choice of wether to sacrifice one family to save his own.

It’s good to have Bruce back in an actioner and this one is far better than most that have been released over the last year or so. With decent performances from all involved, Hostage is fastpaced tense thriller.
Siri directs this one with some flair, giving it at times an almost classical feel. This is not a Michael Bay film. The camera shows us the details we need to know and moves only when necessary. The mood only shaken as it gets close to it’s almost over the top climax.

Well worth the price of a new release rental.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary - Director Florent Siri
French Director gives an in depth insight into his film making process. Not a must hear for the partial movie fan but some will find it interesting.
Featurette - Taking Hostage - Behind the Scenes
The usual DVD featurette with interviews from cast & crew. Bruce gives his usual gravelly few words whilst the crew talk up their roles.
Deleted Scenes & Extended Scenes Watch them with or without commentary from Director Siri. The scenes do have something to offer the final film but Siri gives good explainations for why they are no longer in the final cut.
Theatrical TrailerYou’d complain if it wasn’t there but do you ever really watch it?

CONCLUSION

Bruce Willis returns to where we love him the most - the action genre.
Former hostage negotiator Jeff Talley’s safe world is ripped apart when he and his family unsuspectantly become involved in a hostage crisis. With his wife and daughter kidnapped by a crime boss, Talley must intervene in another hostage situation to retrieve some vital information but just who’s lives is he negotiating for?