The film is about Los Angeles police officer Jeff Talley, who resigned from the force and moved his family to the suburbs for fear of any new damage. This officer must save the life of a captive family as a hostage at those critical moments, bringing them to a more dangerous situation.
It revels in a sort of operatic vulgarity. And once the story exhausts its over-the-top cheesiness, there are still a few loose ends to tie up, and so the film drags on.
Common Sense Media
December 24, 2010
Very violent hostage drama.
Ebert & Roeper
March 14, 2005
I thought, this is going to be a first-rate thriller, nobody plays that kind of character better than Bruce Willis, he's great at that. And then it just gets more and more complicated and more and more ridiculous.
Long Island Press
March 23, 2007
Mostly a nerve jangling thriller, but you know there's something not quite right about a movie when you're wondering more about why such a plush mansion on fire doesn't have a better sprinkler system.
Speaking of torture, if you dig it, by all means lock yourself up for two hours with Hostage, which begins by administering electric shocks to your viscera and keeps upping the voltage.
Denver Post
March 11, 2005
For action movie fans who require just a touch of depth and mystery between gunshots, Hostage could make for a satisfying night at the movies.
