Last night we went to see “Hostage” – well, the other choice had been “Miss Congeniality 2“, with the dreaded Bullock, so Hostage it was.

The main thing I found myself thinking throughout the film was “How the hell did this manage to end up with only a 15 certificate?”. I’ve seen 18 cert films that were less graphic in their violence, let alone the depiction of dead or dying people. Yet there’s been no comments from certain aspect of the media that I’ve noticed at all.

Anyway – the film itself is pretty stunning. The ending slightly lets it down, there’s a couple of clichés that rankle slightly, but in general it’s bloody good. Not pleasant, not “entertainment” in the strictest sense, but it’s good. Dark as chuff, but it holds itself well in that context.

Bruce Willis’s character is interesting – even with the view of the now-standard White Vest. You keep expecting him to make a comment about having a really bad day a la Die Hard, or say “yippe-kie-aye motherfucker”. But he doesn’t. And that’s no bad thing, just a sign of stereotyping.

It’s also interesting that the girl who plays his daughter in the film actually is his daughter, Rumer. (Stupid name, but hey, that’s life in ‘ollywood)

Overall, Hostage doesn’t make for comfortable viewing, but the atmosphere and darkness of the entire film’s attitude makes it into a superb piece. Just don’t watch it while eating, particularly anything red…