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Ransom (Special Edition) Customer Reviews (7 - 9 of 23 Reviews)

Calling a Bluff: A Timely Look at Citizen/Police Interaction in Kidnapping
RANSOM is yet another Hollywood extravaganza movie about the terrors of the crime of kidnapping - with a twist. Ron Howard directs this, for the most part, gripping story with propulsion and the ability to gain nuanced performances from a disparate cast. The result is a tightly wound spring that coils tensely until the last fifteen minutes when the film explodes.

Tom Mullen (Mel Gibson) is a wealthy man with a strong willed wife Kate (Rene Russo) and a son Sean (Brawley Nolte - yes, in life the son of actor Nick Nolte). When Sean is kidnapped by a Detective (!) Jimmy Shaker (Gary Sinise) and ransom is demanded, Tom goes before national TV audiences and doubles the ransom demand for a bounty on Shaker's life. How this turn of events of a kidnapper becoming the victim and the resolution of the kidnapping that results is the gist of the story: it is the struggle of good vs evil, citizen vs police, and calling the bluff of a dangerous man for the sake of a father saving his child.

Gibson does well as the torn father, though director Howard allows him to go a bit over the edge, acting wise. The real shiner of this film is Gary Sinise who continues to impress with the facility with which he moves through varied character parts. There are moments of fine expressive silences from co-stars Lili Taylor, Liev Schreiber, Evan Handler, Delroy Lindo, and Donnie Wahlberg that enhance the tension because of the underplaying of their roles: Gibson could take some pointers...A good cat and mouse tale that has at its core the heinous crime of kidnapping, police corruption, and family devotion, this film is worth a view. Grady Harp, July 05

MARVELOUS MEL-O-DRAMA
RANSOM is probably Ron Howard's most fully realized film to date. Howard helms a tense, literate script, without letting its potential maudlin come through. Mel Gibson, who has "ruined" his career with the 350 million dollar+ gross of THE PASSION OF CHRIST (Notice tongue in cheek, folks) shows us what a powerfully commanding actor he can be. His role as the tortured, yet committed, father is beautifully performed. Mel doesn't parlay his looks into establishing his popularity. The Australian is a very good actor, and in some ways, has never been recognized for the fact. Rene Russo is amazing, too. Starting off in a cool, I've got things under control aura, she melts into a desperate, crazed, and passionate woman who loves her husband dearly, but can't believe he's risking their son's life. Gary Sinise once again brings a mercurial sense of villainy to his role as the mastermind behind the kidnapping, and his coldhearted murders only enforce his psychosis; Delroy Lindo as the head FBI agent gives a sturdy, tense and compassionate portrayal; Lili Taylor is devastating to watch as she crumbles under the pressure of her part in the kidnapping, but her cold hearted willignness to kill the little boy is frightening; Liv Schrieber and Donnie Wahlberg as the brothers are convincing, in view of their relatively little time on screen.
I liked this film a lot because it touched my emotions in the way a thriller of this type should. Nail bitingly good, it's one of Gibson and Howard's best works.

Mel, Gary & Lili are awesome...
There's not much to this DVD other than the pleasure of owning the movie to see the superior peformances of Lili Taylor, Gary Sinise and --especially-- Mel Gibson.

As a tortured father fighting his own demons as well as a brutal kidnapper, Mel delivers his arguably best performance. Even Rene Russ, with all her Hollywood hair, cannot detract from the genuine strength, emotion and passion he puts into his role. Clever twists and turns defy believability at times, but you will be caught up in the drama and excitement of this captivating suspense thriller.

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