Kidnap

When was the last time you went to see a heart-pounding, high adrenaline, in-your-face thriller that literally keeps you right on the edge of your seat? Well, with "Kidnap" you get just that and more. While there are many people in the cast, this was actually a, sort of, sole performance by Halle Berry in that the others were there to bounce her desperation off of.

In the US, a child goes missing every 40 seconds. You never think it will happen to you , until it does. When her six-year-old son, Frankie (Sage Correa) is abducted from a carnival by two strangers, Margo (Chris McGinn) and Terry (Lew Temple), a desperate mother, Karla Dyson (Halle Berry) happens to catch a glimpse of the two putting her son into their car, so decides to take matters into her own hands rather than wait for law enforcement to help her and gets into her car in pursuit. Subsequently, her relentless pursuit eventually leads her to uncover a larger kidnapping ring. This is a race against time seeing as how the abductors are about as desperate as this determined mother in keeping her child. What they underestimate is how protective a mother can be toward their young.

Others to round the cast are Jason Winston George as David, Kurtis Bedford as Del, Carmelia Riley as Stephanie, Brice Fisher as Tyler, Malea Rose as Claire, Jennie Ventriss as Grandma, Andy Wagner as Dean and Timothy Fannon as Dad.

This was directed with incredible intensity and high adrenaline by Luis Prieto ("Condon Express" '05, "Ho voglia di te" '07, "Meno male che ci sei" '09, "Pusher" '12, "The Disunited States of America" (Documentary) '17) plus TV and shorts. The surprise, fear, agony and severe determination that he was able to extract from Berry was remarkable. Surely Berry is a consummate actor, but this gradual transformation of a mother losing her child and working fervently to get him back speaks volumes for the director. It was equally powerfully written by Knate Lee ("Cardboard Boxer" '16--as Knate Gwatney). What amazes me is with the limited experience this writer has at all, how could this script be as taught, cohesive and well thought out as it was? Truly this guy is a natural which we don't see too often. If I had to akin this script to any other film, it would probably be that of "Speed" '94. The storylines are obviously different, however the intensity which starts at the first frame and keeps going until the end is very much that of "Speed". This writer is so talented, he had been give the task of writing the next installment of the X-Men franchise entitled "X-Men: The New Mutants" '18 as Knate Gwatney, which is filming now. Interesting that he chose the last name Lee for this production only. Not sure why, but interesting.

Certainly if you liked "Speed" or films like that, you will be riveted to this movie. The one, two punch this script gives one is adrenaline rising and will keep you rooting for this distraught yet determined mother. This is one of the best summer type films I have seen this year. Grab your popcorn and enjoy this rollicking ride!

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                  Rated: R                                 94mins.