"I'm offering this money...as a reward on your head."      

RANSOM (R) 

And what would you do if your child was kidnapped?

On its surface, Ransom is very much a run-of-the-mill cat-and-mouse suspense drama.  Mel Gibson stars as Tom Mullen, a successful and very rich business tycoon who can't seem to do anything wrong.  A thriving business, a nice house, a lovely family--all's well in the world.

And then, one sunny day at a local science fair, the Mullen's son Sean gets kidnapped.  The ransom: $2 million dollars.  Pay or the kid dies.

Directed by Ron Howard, and co-starring Rene Russo (as Mullen's wife), Gary Sinise (who masterminds the kidnap), and Delroy Lindo (as the FBI investigator on the case), Ransom starts off as a typical kidnap-rescue story.  The kidnappers say don't call the authorities, and of course the Mullen's do. The kidnappers say "come alone" and Mullen is followed by everyone.  It's all quite predictable to start, and then we get "the plot twist."  After one bungled attempt to pay off the ransom, and convinced that the kidnappers are going to kill his son regardless of what happens, Tom Mullen decides to turn the ransom money into bounty money.  Two million dollars: not to get his son back, but as a reward to anyone who can bring the kidnapper to him--dead or alive, he doesn't care.

There's three things that make this movie worth recommending: the character development, the strong directing, and the great acting.  As is now expected from a Ron Howard production, Ransom is a film where each character has a distinct personality--each investigator, everyone involved with the kidnapping, even the maid--there aren't many "throw away" parts in this movie.  Howard also does a good job of building and maintaining a constant level of suspense, keeping the audience a bit on edge throughout.  For his part, Mel Gibson turns in another great performance--it's like Braveheart all over again, except in the nineties!  The rest of the company is also strong in their respective roles.

On the flip side, there were unfortunately a few sequences in this film that weren't as suspenseful as they should have been (like the helicopter chase sequence after the initial busted ransom handoff), and some of the character's actions seemed far-fetched (like Shaker's decision to turn in and/or kill his cohorts).  Anything for the sake of the plotline, I suppose.  Still, these are minor quibbles, and those generally interested in the suspense genre will probably appreciate the nice efforts put into this film.

Responses from cyberspace -- thanks for the input, folks!

lbhmkl@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "This was an excellent movie. Renee Russo was a wonderful portrayal of a hysterical mother believing her son has just been killed. Believe me, as an actress I know how hard it is to feign stomach pains and puking because you're so messed up. 'Ransom' was a great flick." (3/3/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "Mel Gibson and Rene Russo were brilliant in their performances in the brilliant thriller, Ransom. A very scary movie full of things that really could happen to you. A bit too much blood in the end, but it didn't change my opinion. Excellent!" (1/24/98)

al264237@academ01.sal.itesm.mx gives this movie  stars: "This is the best movie I have seen in my whole life! Really, it has everyting that a movie can have. I couln't stop watching it." (8/31/97)

bvarnell@surfsouth.com gives this movie  star: "I am 11 years old, I think ranson is the WORST MOVIE EVER! The constant cussing really got on my nerves. I used to like Gary Sinise until this movie and the same for Ron Howard." (6/14/97)

MHyrne@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Desperation, anger, revenge...emotions ignited by Gibson and Russo are surely felt by the audience. This movie allows you to associate with the bitterness and blaming that would surely accompany such a situation. Ron Howard directs a dramatic account of a crime prevalent in our society, although on a less fanciful scale. Every parent should see and be aware of this ever-present danger." (11/26/96)

h-kanipe@onu.edu gives this movie  stars: "I couldn't take my eyes from the screen!! It was one of those movies where you leave and you turn to your date and you have no clue as to whether to cry or feel glad that the story turned out as it did. My only problem was with the revelation of the kidnappers. It would have been nice if their identities could have been kept a secret for a little longer than they were and I still don't quite understand why Shaker at the last minute just had to try to kill Tom Mullen. He had the money, why didn't he just run and leave it in a cliffhanger? And I have to admit that I don't understand the constant hard core metal music in the kid's room.......was that supposed to heighten the fear and tension or simply add to the melodrama? Overall, a great movie, and definitely one of the Top 5 of `96.....Gibson should clean a spot on the mantelpiece for another Oscar in this worthy performance!!!" (11/26/96)

hhowell@carroll1.cc.edu gives this movie  stars: "Very good movie, but it got a bit predictable towards the end. I think it might have been more interesting if they had killed the son." (11/26/96)

b burnichon@mts.net gives this move  stars: "An excellent movie, though the kidnappers could've kept their identities a secret a little bit longer to add to the suspense.  I didn't see the reason for playing non-stop metal music in the room of the kidnapped kid.  What the hell was that all about??!!" (11/25/96)

Al Banadli gives this movie  stars.  "It is the best movie of 1996." (11/25/96)

Joseph Lamont gives this movie a  rating.  "Excellent adventure movie.  Keeps you on the edge of your seat for all two and a half hours." (11/22/96)