Hostage (2002)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

John Woo

Writers:

David Carter (writer)
Greg Hahn (writer)

Release Date:

24 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Short | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

The driver races to locate a kidnapped victim locked in the trunk of an abandoned car somewhere on the water's edge...

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | The Hire

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Clive Owen	...	The Driver
Maury Chaykin	...	The Kidnapper
Kathryn Morris	...	Linda Delacroix (The Hostage)
Darius McCrary	...	FBI Commander
Gerry Becker	...	Doctor
James MacDonald	...	SWAT Team Commander
Robert 'Rock' Galotti	...	SWAT Team Member (as Rock Galotti)
Jolyon Reese	...	FBI Technician
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christopher Gilbertson	...	SWAT Team Member
Shannon Holzer	...	SWAT Team Member

Also Known As:

The Hire: Hostage (USA) (series title)

Runtime:

9 min | USA:11 min (DVD edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Company:

RSA

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Driver first gets into the car, he does not put on his seat belt. However, in all subsequent shots, he is wearing it.

Quotes:

The Kidnapper: Show me the money. Oh, If I had known it'd be this easy, I'd have lost my mind a long time ago. Confirm the exact amount.
The Driver: Five million, 88- ...
The Kidnapper: No, no, no. Here. Write it. Write it down. Here, put it in writing.
[The Driver writes the currency amount $5,088,042 and shows it to The Kidnapper]
The Kidnapper: So how does it feel to hold a person's life in your hand?

Movie Connections:

References The Rock (1996)

Clive Owen's behind the wheel, and John Woo's behind the camera!

I've been a huge fan of the BMW Film Series "The Hire" since the first season that was produced by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club). These latest three episodes were produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Gladiator). It's a match made in movie-fan heaven: Hollywood's hottest directors, Britain's coolest actor, and Germany's most kick-ass cars!

"Hostage" is directed by John Woo, the action virtuoso who brought us "The Killer," "A Better Tomorrow" and "Face/Off." Although John Woo is famous for his ballistic shootouts, he is also quite adept at doing drama. This short film showcases that to perfection, with flawed characters and a delicious surprise twist at the end.

This short film rocks in the action department! You get to see The Driver do all sorts of cool maneuvers in this one, including a 180 then driving high-speed in reverse, a 12-foot-high car jump, and he even out-drives a fleet of police cars!

For the best action in the "The Hire" series, I recommend "Hostage" along with "Ambush" and "Ticker." "Powder Keg" has the best drama and "Star" is the funniest one in the series. I can't wait for Tony Scott's "Beat the Devil" to come out!