Trapped (2002)

okay flick

I hadn't heard of this movie till I did a search for hottie Stuart Townsend. He's not bad in this film, but Kevin Bacon turned out to be hotter. He was really good and so was Charlize Theron. This was not your typical kidnap/ransom movie, and it had a pretty cool ending. August 14, 2008

LUIS MANDOKI, OPUS 8

** 2002. Based on Greg Iles's 24 Hours and directed by Luis Mandoki. Kevin Bacon's family kidnaps the daughter of the Jennings. Very bad movie of the Mexican director who'll give us, two years later, the masterpiece Innocent Voices though. I wonder whether Luis Mandoki could do better with the material he had to work with. We never feel that the Jennings family is really in danger and the final scene on the highway is rather ridiculous, the extras gently walking between the cars while there are a shootout and a plane/truck collision in front of them. Shame. Already forgotten. June 6, 2008

[3.5] Better than average "been there, done that" kind of film.

Smart casting, fast paced direction, and a few surprising twists enhance this rather typical kidnapping film that you've seen before.

Real-life couple Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend have a sickly child, Dakota Fanning, that is kidnapped by a psychotic man, played with great relish by Kevin Bacon, and his wife, nicely played by Courtney Love. Of course, like all good kidnapping films, the plan goes rather awry and the victims strike back. The films soars in the acting, directing, and pacing departments, but falters in the script which has the actors behave in such a way at times that even our willingness to suspend our disbelief is impossible. The same could be said for several "coincidences" that occur within the film that creak like the worn out cliches that they are.

Nevertheless, the film is suspenseful and is an overall exciting experience as long as you can accept all they throw at you without question.

Spoiler Alert:

I have to note the specifics for the problems within this film, but, unfortunately, that also means giving away some plot twists to do so. Read ahead if you don't mind that.

Problem #1: The kidnappers are supposed to be grief-stricken parents striking back after the loss of their own child's death. Why then the obsession with getting money? How then do they enjoy torturing a little child? How then does Bacon also become a rapist during the revenge kidnapping? None of this really fits with grieving parents striking back at those they think are responsible for their child's death.

Problem #2: How in the world did they all happen to meet up on the highway in the end climax scene? It is all just too impossible to believe or accept. It's the worse contrivance I've seen in years.

Problem #3: Why the unnecessary action sequences in a film where it really doesn't fit? It comes across as "Hey, the producers found some extra money, so we thought we'd throw this in."

Again, the problems are serious in this flawed film, however, it is still an overall decent flick with a great cast. October 5, 2007

Kidnappers

Kidnapping movies have pretty much been done to death. So if you want a hook you better make it good. Sorry to say this one is close but doesn't quite make it. Great acting from Bacon, Theron, and Fanning carry it. The four succesful kidnaps and the need for medication by the fifth was a nice add but not enough. Parts of the movie were quite exciting. Turning off the plane engine so the kidnapper wouldn't know where they were was a nice touch. All-in-all a very watchable movie but not quite blockbuster material. I still recommend seeing it and you may find it enjoyable enough to purchase. A decent thriller movie for adults. September 24, 2007

Trapped DVD

The movie "Trapped" has a plot that has been played out a lot over the past decade. The theme is essentially a ransom demand for a kidnapped child who is played by Dakota Fanning. Ironically Fanning also played a kidnapped child in the Denzel Washington thriller "Man on Fire". The film makes up for a lack of creativity with a strong cast. The different locations of where everyone is out gets rotated on a regular basis, so whether it is the home Kevin Bacon's character is currently occupying, A cabin in the woods or a Hotel room, Trapped fills up time with good acting and some suspenseful moments. Courtney Love also stars in this film, although I had heard the name I did not know much about her. For someone with little acting experience she seemed to do a good job and she also seems to fit the bad girl role quite nicely. August 19, 2007

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