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Men In Black 3

It’s not a sequel that needed to be made, but thanks to the charm of its leads and a tone that harks back to the wit and humour of the original, it’s a pretty enjoyable trip.

Bel Ami

The excellent female support cast saves this patchy effort, which is let down by its leading man and a flat screenplay.

The Dictator

A disappointing, often repulsive and mean-spirited mess of a film with seemingly only one real criterion on its agenda: to shock and offend.

The Woman In Black

Packed with atmosphere, this old-fashioned but deftly told ghost story delivers ample chills and thrills.

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Kidnapped (Film)

by Ernesto Zelaya Minano | August 30, 2011 12:01 | Edited August 30, 2011 12:05

A brutal but effective white-knuckle thriller that provides no relief for its victims – or the audience.

A perfectly normal suburban couple and their teenage daughter are attacked in their home by a trio of masked goons. This simple premise is the starting point for this tense and minimalist Spanish thriller, which brings the terrifying reality of a home invasion to vivid life. Director Miguel Angel Vivas does away with the barest of setups, quickly plunging his characters into a physical and psychological hell from which there is no escape. The antagonists show up out of the blue, and have no ulterior motive other than greed; the sole aim of this film is to put the audience through the wringer, and Vivas shows the hand of an assured director, ramping up the tension to unbearable levels via directorial flourishes such as split screens and tracking shots.

 

Characters are constantly shot from faraway or behind-the-shoulder perspectives, putting the audience in the uncomfortable position of voyeurs. This you-are-there feeling only makes this situation even more realistic, and even though some elements seem typical of other similar films - obviously two of the villains had to be an unhinged psychopath and a seemingly nice guy who has doubts about what he's doing - it doesn't take away from its stark and uncompromising nature.

 

As the credits roll, Kidnapped has the effect of a punch to the stomach, and will leave many an audience member emotionally drained. It goes without saying that Kidnapped is not for all tastes: it is a bleak and violent film which hits too close to home for comfort. But for those looking for a nail-biting, white-knuckle thrill ride which will have them gripping the armrests, it will fit the bill. Miguel Angel Vivas proves himself a director to watch with this masterclass in how to create suspense from the simplest of premises.