Action Jackson.
Added 11/10/2009
Samuel L. Jackson has become quite adept at portraying intense characters who are both likeable and bothersome. His cop in "The Negotiator" is a desperate man, who although perhaps innocent of the charges against him is certainly capable of having done them. By taking hostages, he automatically guarantees himself prison time even if he is exonerated of the murder charges against him, and yet this character cannot help but be likeable and sympathetic in Jackson's hands. Kevin Spacey's negotiator is both arrogant and clever, and the climax of the film shows his expertise at both negotiation and deception. A good suspenseful action film, with Jackson at times over the top but always in charge.
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Great action films are like great actors, just as bad ones are like bad actors. Great action films are not about good and bad guys, but complex charactors who both want something.
The Negotiator is perfect for both Kevin Spacey and Samual L Jackson, two of our best actors. Every great actor has to answer one question about his charactor: what do I want? Here, Jackson wants to clear his name, and Spacey wants to retrieve hostages Jackson holds. This sets the conflict in bare bones terms as only the action genre can. The actors have room to develop their charactors.
Both charactors are decent, smart men, put in unthinkable circumstances, two hostage experts matching the sharpest of minds. There is plenty of action, but most of the tension comes from the mental game Spacey and Jackson are playing. The mental game played with A LOT of guns around. It is what MIGHT go wrong that makes the film so frightening. How far will these guys go? Are they going to outsmart the other into a bloodbath?
Jackson's motives are obvious, but the movie does not explain why Spacey allies with him by films end and goes to the lengths he does.
Still, this is a great film from a genre bad actors exploit too much and great actors don't exploit enough.
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A well done product
Added 5/16/2009
A Hostage negotiator is set up by other cops.
He uses his skills and knowledge to bring out the crooks
by taking hostages and using the police system:
sort of Russian roulette with a swat team.
Not really believable in a practical sense, but
the plot makes for great drama, suspense and solves a mystery
at the same time. The acting is very good,
I liked the movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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No let up in this action-thriller
Added 4/27/2009
Ever start to watch a movie and don't get up until it's done? That's essentially what happens when you watch "The Negotiator."
You start with Lt. Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) in a hostage situation. A convenience store robber's taken a young woman and he's face to face with the taker...
Next, Roman's partner tells him that he's onto a scam in the department. Some of their closest buddies are ripping off the Police Disability Fund. He'll tell him more later. When Roman meets his partner, he finds him dead.
And, of course, the police swoop in to arrest him for the murder. He escapes and takes hostages of his own because he knows he's not going to get a fair shake when his fellow cops set him up.
When it comes to negotiation, Roman insists on Lt. Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) from another precinct. Spacey arrives, having unsuccessfully negotiated a fight between his wife and daughter and his back is immediately against the wall. Roman's precinct commander wants to shoot and take statements later...Something's suspicious and the more he learns, the more he's siding with Roman, but can he help before the crooked cops get rid of all the evidence?
Literally had me glued to my seat throughout the whole film. Well done and one of Jackson and Spacey's best. I also enjoyed Siobhan Fallon as Maggie, one of the hostages Roman took.
Rebecca Kyle, April 2009
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Good Cast; Intense Story
Added 3/26/2009
The movie sports an interesting cast, actors who usually entertain, such as Kevin Spacey, Samuel L. Jackson, J.T. Walsh, David Morse and Paul Giamatti. Spacey, as "The Negotiator," has the best role.
The story is interesting and very intense in spots and keeps you involved without the need for a lot of violence. There is just the right amount in here and the film looks very good on DVD.
At 138 minutes, the film would have been better being trimmed 10-15 minutes. It could also been less profane. Over 70 f-words is too many. I get tired of seeing cops portrayed as dirty most of the time or just trigger-happy. It ain't so, at least as often as Hollywood likes to show you. Finally, the end stretches credibility just a little too much.
Overall, however, this is definitely worth seeing but with a big caution light with the language. for those wondering about family viewing.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Action Jackson.
Added 11/10/2009
Samuel L. Jackson has become quite adept at portraying intense characters who are both likeable and bothersome. His cop in "The Negotiator" is a desperate man, who although perhaps innocent of the charges against him is certainly capable of having done them. By taking hostages, he automatically guarantees himself prison time even if he is exonerated of the murder charges against him, and yet this character cannot help but be likeable and sympathetic in Jackson's hands. Kevin Spacey's negotiator is both arrogant and clever, and the climax of the film shows his expertise at both negotiation and deception. A good suspenseful action film, with Jackson at times over the top but always in charge.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Great action films are like great actors, just as bad ones are like bad actors. Great action films are not about good and bad guys, but complex charactors who both want something.
The Negotiator is perfect for both Kevin Spacey and Samual L Jackson, two of our best actors. Every great actor has to answer one question about his charactor: what do I want? Here, Jackson wants to clear his name, and Spacey wants to retrieve hostages Jackson holds. This sets the conflict in bare bones terms as only the action genre can. The actors have room to develop their charactors.
Both charactors are decent, smart men, put in unthinkable circumstances, two hostage experts matching the sharpest of minds. There is plenty of action, but most of the tension comes from the mental game Spacey and Jackson are playing. The mental game played with A LOT of guns around. It is what MIGHT go wrong that makes the film so frightening. How far will these guys go? Are they going to outsmart the other into a bloodbath?
Jackson's motives are obvious, but the movie does not explain why Spacey allies with him by films end and goes to the lengths he does.
Still, this is a great film from a genre bad actors exploit too much and great actors don't exploit enough.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A well done product
Added 5/16/2009
A Hostage negotiator is set up by other cops.
He uses his skills and knowledge to bring out the crooks
by taking hostages and using the police system:
sort of Russian roulette with a swat team.
Not really believable in a practical sense, but
the plot makes for great drama, suspense and solves a mystery
at the same time. The acting is very good,
I liked the movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
