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Jim (Cesar Montano), a marine, grieves over the death of his daughter who is shot by Robert
Morales (Roi Vinzon), a corrupt congressman. Jim seeks justice for his daughter by plotting to kill him. His opportunity comes during a victory party of Morales with his wife
Via (Amy Austria) and daughter Mabel (Moreen Guese) present. However, Jim's initial attempt to assassinate Morales fails. As several bodyguards relentlessly pursue him, Jim
discovers the presence of Mabel in the get-away car who earlier hides at the backseat during a hide-and-seek game with her playmates. They evade the pursuers and hide in the
house of Edwin (Bayani Agbayani) and his sister Gina (Kristine Hermosa). A bond develops between Jim and Mabel, even as he plots to get ransom money from Morales. This
"hostage act" is his ploy to bring out Morales in the open and kill him. The final showdown between the adversaries takes place in an ice plant. Will Morales succeed in
silencing Jim and destroy the videotape which will incriminate him as a gambling lord? Or will Jim be able to kill Morales to avenge his daughter's death and reveal to the
authorities the congressman's true colors?
The cinematography is good, with the lighting effects enhancing the mood of some scenes, e.g.
the deep anguish of the father over his daughter's death. The musical score and visual/sound effects are just right to create tension and suspense among the viewers. But the
editing could have done away with the long and exhausting gun battle scenes. Cesar Montano's performance scintillates and his close-ups reveal every fibre of his emotions.
Bayani Agbayani tickles your funny bone without "trying very hard," and Roi Vinzon's acting is believable. Moreen Guese is the new kid on the block and may yet become another
Matet, Aiza or Niño Muhlach.
Hostage dramatizes
the plight of a man who takes the law in his hands because he does not believe in the flawed judiciary system. Thus, it becomes a gun-infested film and a showcase of violence.
The leading man becomes a superman who swoops down on the bad guys and riddle them with bullets. In the end he gets away from being apprehended because of his "heroic acts."
When will man ever learn that one should never take revenge but should let God's anger do it? (Romans 12:19). Thanks to some dramatic scenes with a little girl which give the
movie a soft touch…..the child swinging in a garden as she ponders her fate in the hands of a kidnapper, a little girl and a sick man curled up together as they catch some
sleep. The film's violence is disturbing and very stressful, thus it is rated for mature viewers 18 and above.
(Date reviewed: March 2, 2001)
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