The Negotiator [Blu-ray]
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin, John SpencerDirector: F. Gary Gray
Studio: Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Running Time: 139 minutes
DVD Release: November 3rd 2009
Buy DVD:
DVD Review
Although it eventually runs out of smart ideas and resorts to a typically explosive finale, this above-average thriller rises above its formulaic limitations on the strength of powerful performances by Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. Both play Chicago police negotiators with hotshot reputations, but when Jackson's character finds himself falsely accused of embezzling funds from a police pension fund, he's so thoroughly framed that he must take extreme measures to prove his innocence. He takes hostages in police headquarters to buy time and plan his strategy, demanding that Spacey be brought in to mediate with him as an army of cops threatens to attack, and a media circus ensues. Both negotiators know how to get into the other man's thoughts, and this intellectual showdown allows both Spacey and Jackson to ignite the screen with a burst of volatile intensity. Director F. Gary Gray is disadvantaged by an otherwise predictable screenplay, but he has a knack for building suspense and is generous to a fine supporting cast, including Paul Giamatti as one of Jackson's high-strung hostages, and the late J.T. Walsh in what would sadly be his final big-screen role. The movie should have trusted its compelling characters a little more, probing their psyches more intensely to give the suspense a deeper dramatic foundation, but it's good enough to give two great actors a chance to strut their stuff. --Jeff Shannon
User Reviews
A well done product - Rating: 3/5
A Hostage negotiator is set up by other cops.
He uses his skills and knowledge to bring out the crooks
by taking hostages and using the police system:
sort of Russian roulette with a swat team.
Not really believable in a practical sense, but
the plot makes for great drama, suspense and solves a mystery
at the same time. The acting is very good,
I liked the movie.
No let up in this action-thriller - Rating: 5/5
Ever start to watch a movie and don't get up until it's done? That's essentially what happens when you watch "The Negotiator."
You start with Lt. Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) in a hostage situation. A convenience store robber's taken a young woman and he's face to face with the taker...
Next, Roman's partner tells him that he's onto a scam in the department. Some of their closest buddies are ripping off the Police Disability Fund. He'll tell him more later. When Roman meets his partner, he finds him dead.
And, of course, the police swoop in to arrest him for the murder. He escapes and takes hostages of his own because he knows he's not going to get a fair shake when his fellow cops set him up.
When it comes to negotiation, Roman insists on Lt. Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) from another precinct. Spacey arrives, having unsuccessfully negotiated a fight between his wife and daughter and his back is immediately against the wall. Roman's precinct commander wants to shoot and take statements later...Something's suspicious and the more he learns, the more he's siding with Roman, but can he help before the crooked cops get rid of all the evidence?
Literally had me glued to my seat throughout the whole film. Well done and one of Jackson and Spacey's best. I also enjoyed Siobhan Fallon as Maggie, one of the hostages Roman took.
Rebecca Kyle, April 2009
Good Cast; Intense Story - Rating: 4/5
The movie sports an interesting cast, actors who usually entertain, such as Kevin Spacey, Samuel L. Jackson, J.T. Walsh, David Morse and Paul Giamatti. Spacey, as "The Negotiator," has the best role.
The story is interesting and very intense in spots and keeps you involved without the need for a lot of violence. There is just the right amount in here and the film looks very good on DVD.
At 138 minutes, the film would have been better being trimmed 10-15 minutes. It could also been less profane. Over 70 f-words is too many. I get tired of seeing cops portrayed as dirty most of the time or just trigger-happy. It ain't so, at least as often as Hollywood likes to show you. Finally, the end stretches credibility just a little too much.
Overall, however, this is definitely worth seeing but with a big caution light with the language. for those wondering about family viewing.
The Negotiator - Rating: 5/5
Samuel L. Jackson does a fantastic job in this thriller. It trigered many different emotions for me when I saw it in the theater. I then saw it on tv again and enjoyed it even more the second time. Now I own it for future enjoyment.
Loved it - Rating: 5/5
I love the movie. The dvd was in great condition.
My favorite line... Crazy is on the bus
