Ransom (1996)

More Meat Than the 1956 Original

The year Mel Gibson was born, Glenn Ford and Donna Reed had the roles of frantic parents dealing with the abduction of their son.
The original 1956 film version of "Ransom" was of its time, complete with docile Bible quoting servants and a mother who, while periodically confrontational with those working on the case, remains upstairs and in bed under sedation for most of the time, and the kidnappers remain unseen.
But this impressive 1996 remake is very much of its time, too, and as Tom and Kate Mullen (Mel Gibson and Renee Russo), and airline executive and a former High School Science teacher,we come to view a more complex couple, and we see how a shady business deal by someone who is supposed to be viewed as a "good guy" has led to the incident related in this story.
As young Sean Mullen, Brawley Nolte is a typical nine-year-old with an independent spirit. Abducted while at a science fair over which his mother presides, he spends much of the film bound, and blindfolded with Heavy Metal music as the main sound he hears while lying on a mattress in a dark room, occasionally being pulled into a sitting position by his captors, and making only one attempt to fight back.
In trying to retrive her son, Renee Russo is more than just a mom who lies upstairs under sedation, but as might any modern woman in the same situation, takes a more active role in retrieving her son, even confronting the kidnapper and taking a few hard knocks along the way.
Delroy Lindo's Lonnie Hawkins leads the team of FBI agents working on the case in the Mullen's apartment. He monitors Tom Mullen's confrontation with an incarcerated mobster named Jackie Brown(Dan Hedaya), a suspect in the kidnapping, and a botched attempt at a money drop before having to really steel himself to deal with Mullen's most dramatic act of sabotage: Going on network TV to announce that the $2 million ransom will now become a bounty on the kidnapper's head. From there, the drama escalates.
Gary Sinese plays the devious Detective Jimmy Shaker, Lili Taylor is his conflicted lover, Maris Conner, who has a connection to the Mullens. Liev Schreiber and Donnie Wahlberg play Clark and Cubby Barnes, Evan Handler is Miles Roberts, and Iraida Polanco is the Mullens' not-so-docile housekeeper, Fatima, who lends a little assistance with the case.
Under Ron Howard's skillful direction, the 1950s censorship codes are lifted and viewers are presented with an intense gritty, realistic, and ultimately satisfactory drama. June 8, 2008

loaded with suspense and tension (4.5/5)

i liked this movie.it has some edge of your seat moments,and great
acting.while the acting is credible,i'm not sure how realistic the
actions of some of the characters are.there is a twist which i figured
out right away,the first time i watched it.i think that's because it
just seemed so obvious.nevertheless,the movie is fun and
thrilling,and action packed right to the end.Mel Gibson puts in a
strong performance as does Gary Sinise.Rene Russo is also good,but has
a small role.i also liked Delroy Lindo.i thought he was good in his
role.interestingly,the Laser disc version of the film is apparently 139
minutes,,while the DVD version is only 121
minutes.i'm curious about the missing 17 minutes.anyway,for me,Ransom
is an 4.5/5 March 3, 2008

Great movie holds up after previous viewings

Ransom rates as one of the best psychological thrillers. Everything meshes: plot, pacing, and acting. Some reviewers believe Mel Gibson overacted, but they forget that his character was a flamboyant airline entrepreneur, so I believe Mel Gibson was on the money. Even on second viewing, the movie was suspenseful, which one cannot say about most movies with surprise plot twists.

Other reviewers whined about the lack of 16:9 support or anamorphic formatting or whatever. I don't think any of them know what they are writing about. The movie was widescreen at a 16:9 ratio which perfectly filled my SONY WEGA HD widescreen TV. Video quality was excellent, with no pixellation or artifacts. Audio was good with a nice balance among music track, background sound, and voices. February 17, 2008

Good drama

I have been trying to get this on DVD. I have it on VHS, but the tape was starting to dry out. I have always enjoyed Mel Gibson in all his movies. When I first viewed this movie several years ago, the twist in the plot was unexpected. Good writers and directing. January 23, 2008

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST TV DVD-MOVE FOR SHORE EVER DONE

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE & THAT IS PUTTING IT LIGHTLY May 8, 2007

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