Review of Abduction (2011) by Walter M — 26 Jan 2013

Since Nathan(Taylor Lautner) so enjoyed a high school party that he woke up on the lawn the following morning, it should come as no surprise that there is a hangover for him which is not helped when his father(Jason Isaacs) spars with him on his belated return. At least, his mother(Maria Bello) is kind enough to simply ground him for a week. That gives Nathan plenty of time work on a sociology project with Karen(Lily Collins), a cute classmate, who despite his own good looks and being star of the wrestling team, he cannot otherwise work up the courage to talk to. However, that will soon be the least of his problems as Nikola Kozlow(Michael Nyqvist) is about to change his life forever.

For the record, I do not believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or gulty pleasures. Either you like something on its own merits and admit it publicly or you don't.(And don't even get me started on hate watching.) But when "Abduction" turns left when I was expecting it to go right, I was worried it might still find a way into that infamous category but it stays grounded enough in reality, including a sincere look at what it means to be a father, for it to work, however shakily. Throughout, John Singleton keeps this thriller moving in an old school sort of way, replete with a suitably nasty villain and an exciting climax. Yes, the movie falters whenever the young leads take center stage(kids these days...) but on the plus side you have Maria Bello and Jason Isaacs playing a married couple, plus Alfred Molina and Sigourney Weaver in other supporting roles.