Ransom, based on story by Cyril Hume 8 out of 10

Ransom, based on story by Cyril Hume

8 out of 10

Given that Ransom has received a major nomination for a Golden Globe, for Mel Gibson as Best Actor in a Leading Role, you would expect more from this film.

You would not be dissatisfied.

Not completely.

The motion picture has some interesting twists, unexpected turns.

Not just one, but at least two.

And Mel Gibson is not ravishing, but he is good in a complex, demanding, emotional, tense role.

He is Tom Mullen, a rich, fictional Richard Branson, only more serious, reserved, settled, but just as adventurous, daring and iconoclastic from one stage on.

Tom Mullen owns an airline and has been the target of malicious attacks before, in one instance someone has tried to force him to pay money, an act which is the inspiration for the villain of this film.

The hero is married to Kate Mullen and they have a son, Sean Mullen.

As the parents are busy organizing a fund raising event, the boy is taken away by a group of thugs.

We first see a woman, Maris, and three men, including two brothers, Clark and Cubby.

They are coordinated by a rogue Detective Jimmy Shaker aka Gary Sinise, who calls to ask for two million dollars as Ransom.

The FBI team is introduced in the Mullen home by stealth and is lead by Agent Lonnie Hawkins aka Delroy Lindo.

The grieving family is ready to pay the money to the kidnappers.

Tom Mullen follows the instructions, although it is evident from the communication with the hand leader that he is very vicious - which could also be assumed from the terrible act he had committed - frustrated, hateful, vindictive determined to inflict pain.

In spite of the misgivings, the protagonist travels to the pool, jumps in the water fully clothed, does everything required and reaches the site where he is to meet with Cubby Barnes.

The plan was to give the bags with the two million dollars in exchange for the address where the boy is held.

It is obvious however that the man has no address and no idea about what the father is asking.

This is when the helicopters supervising from the sky enter the scene and order the criminal to stop and surrender.

When he doesn't, he is shot dead.

Nevertheless, a second attempt is made to meet and pay the Ransom.

Only this time, on the way to the drop off point, Tom Mullen has a dramatic change of heart.

This is one of the original aspects of this drama.

The hero decides that he would not pay the ransom after all!

He understands that the villains would kill his son no matter what.

He comes on television therefore and announces a spectacular change of plan:

You would not see a penny from this money- the millions are stacked in a large pile on the table in front of him.

Instead, this will be a price on your head.

The one who gets you, dead or alive, will receive it!

You can give my son now and the Ransom is off, you walk out free.

But if you don't, you will never rest.

I will make sure of that!

Think if you know anyone who is not ready to give you up for that much money.

This is an extraordinary twist in the tale.

And it is not the only one, for the imaginative, vicious mastermind has a new idea of his own.

What he concocts would not be stated here, on the off chance that you may wish to see the movie.

If not out of this world, it is interesting entertainment.