Rating of
3.5/4
Give me my son!!!!
mdtinney - wrote on 08/26/09
Ransom is an excellent, intense movie with a strong cast, a great script, and an excellent director all rolled up into one. The film was released on November 8, 1996 from Touchstone Pictures and in my opinion was one of the best films of 1996. The film stars Mel Gibson as Tom Mullen, a wealthy businessman who runs an airline company which is the fourth highest airline in the world. He's married to his wife, Kate played by Rene Russo(who was great in Tin Cup and Lethal Weapon 4). They have everything in the world that they wanted, but it all crashes when their son, Sean played by Brawley Nolte(real life son of Nick Nolte) is kidnapped by NYC detective Jimmy Shaker played by Gary Sinese. Shaker wants 2 million dollars in cash with 50's and 100's and no marked bills or Sean will die. The cat and mouse game begins between Tom and Jimmy. Tom cooperates with FBI and it's leader Agent Lonnie Hawkins played by Delroy Lindo(who was awesome in Malcom X and good in Romeo Must Die as Aaliyah's Father). The Mullens will do anything to get their son even if they kills them to do it. Jimmy has put together a group of young guns to hold Sean hostage. Jimmy's girlfriend Maris Conner is the tough chick and was Tom's caterist at his parties. Lili Taylor plays Maris and also there's the Barnes brothers: Clark and Cubby played by Liev Schriber and Donnie Walberg of New Kids on the Block and Boomtown. also there's Evan Handler as Miles who's involved as well. The film caught me from the beginning to the end. I really liked the ending in which Gibson and Sinese have a great confrontation towards the end and you won't believe it. The film is excellent and exicting throughout. Gibson gives an excellent as Tom Mullen, i think he deserved an Oscar Nomination for his great performance. Russo was terrific as the wife who's afraid for Gibson and the fear for her son. Sinese was amazing as the conniving, sneaky, slimy, and unfaithful cop who kidnaps young Sean Mullen. Sinese puts up great performances throughout his career including Forrest Gump, Snake Eyes, Mission to Mars, Apollo 13, and George Wallace. Lindo is good as Hawkins, Taylor was a mainstay as Conner, and the cast: Schriber, Walhberg, Handler, and the young Brawley Nolte all were great in their roles. I recommend watching this film, you'll absolutely love it. Ron Howard did an excellent job directing this film. He was also great in directing Apollo 13, Parenthood, Cocoon, and A Beautiful Mind. Overall, Ransom is a 2 hour, 1 mintue fun ride that will take your breath away and leave you out of your seat begging for more.
