KIDNAP (2017)

4 stars 

Signature Entertainment. Digital. 3rd February 

Karla (Halle Berry) is run off her feet working as a waitress in a diner whilst her young six year old son Frankie waits at the counter for her to finish her shift. She is working hard for him as she is no longer with his father.

When she finally manages to get away, they head to the park, where there is a fairground and a large play area. Whilst watching a show, she gets an important phone call from her lawyer about her divorce, but her battery dies… and then she realises Frankie is missing. Desperately looking, she sees him being bundled into a car. Without a second thought, she jumps in her car and pursues the kidnapper, racing through traffic. 

She becomes a mother on a mission as she has no time (or means) to contact the police. Can she catch the person who has nabbed her boy?

That’s just the start of this no nonsense B movie with no pretensions to being anything more than a thrill ride. It starts going and pretty much doesn’t let up the pace in heart pounding fashion. This is Berry’s film – it spends most of its run time focussed on her, with extreme close-ups on her often distraught face. 

Whilst you might think that her sometimes reckless driving might well be putting her son in as much danger as him being kidnapped – it’s probably best not to think on that too much and just go with the adrenaline fueled action and well staged car stunts. Excitingly shot, with kinetic cinematography and dynamic editing with an energetic music score.

Steve Kirkham