Hostage
When a mafia accountant is taken hostage on his beat, a police officer – wracked by guilt from a prior stint as a negotiator – must negotiate the standoff, even as his own family is held captive by the mob.
Critics Sentiment
Wounded Mars drops Molotov cocktail and burns himself alive
Talley hands authority to Sheriff's Department and leaves
The film jumps from its lowest point when Talley predictably withdraws from the case to strong praise for the helicopter negotiation sequence.
Hostage starts strong with an intense opening but suffers from heavy-handed execution and stereotypical characters in the middle act. The film rebounds significantly with Ben Foster's terrifying performance as Mars, culminating in genuinely disturbing and well-executed climactic moments. Critics appreciated Willis showing vulnerability while delivering solid thriller entertainment despite directorial shortcomings.
Full cast
Bruce Willis
Jeff Talley
Ben Foster
Mars Krupcheck
Jonathan Tucker
Dennis Kelly
Jimmy Bennett
Tommy Smith
Michelle Horn
Jennifer Smith
Marshall Allman
Kevin Kelly
Kevin Pollak
Walter Smith
Rumer Willis
Amanda Talley
Robert Knepper
Wil Bechler
Kim Coates
The Watchman
Glenn Morshower
Lt. Leifitz
Serena Scott Thomas
Jane Talley
Marjean Holden
Carol Flores
Kathryn Joosten
Louise
Art LaFleur
Bill Jorgenson
Sven-Ole Thorsen
Peter Weireter
Ventura County Sheriff Sniper (uncredited)
Tina Lifford
Laura Shoemaker
Ransford Doherty
Mike Anders
Michael D. Roberts
Ridley
Crew
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