Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin, John Spencer Directed By: F. Gary Gray Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: December 15, 1998 Running Time: 140 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: July 29, 1998
Product Description: SAMUEL L. JACKSON AND KEVIN SPACEY MATCH FIREPOWER WITH WILLPOWER IN THIS SEARING ACTION/SUSPENSE JUGGERNAUT ABOUT COPS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A HOSTAGE CRISIS. ON LOCATION NEW BEHIND THE SCENES DOCUMENTARY WITH THE PRODUCTION DESIGNER, THE ELVENTHHOUR NEW DOCUMENTARY ON THE LIVES OF REAL POLICE NEGOTIATORS.
Amazon.com essential video: 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
The Negotiator ^ A hostage negotiator in Chicago is set up for a murder and, in order to clear his name, takes a group hostage and ferrets out the guilty party. An outstanding performances by both Samuel Janckson and Kevin Spacey. This movie is a touching story, and the will to go on. No matter how deep you're into trouble. Sam would do anything to prove he's innocent. Love it.
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The Negotiator DVD purchased from Amazon ^ I recieved the DVD earlier before the expected shipment. Was in great condition and plays like a charm. I am very very happy with the product and will certainly buy from this seller again.
Action Jackson. ^ Samuel L. Jackson has become quite adept at portraying intense characters who are both likeable and bothersome. His cop in "The Negotiator" is a desperate man, who although perhaps innocent of the charges against him is certainly capable of having done them. By taking hostages, he automatically guarantees himself prison time even if he is exonerated of the murder charges against him, and yet this character cannot help but be likeable and sympathetic in Jackson's hands. Kevin Spacey's negotiator is both arrogant and clever, and the climax of the film shows his expertise at both negotiation and deception. A good suspenseful action film, with Jackson at times over the top but always in charge.
Classic ^ Great action films are like great actors, just as bad ones are like bad actors. Great action films are not about good and bad guys, but complex charactors who both want something.
The Negotiator is perfect for both Kevin Spacey and Samual L Jackson, two of our best actors. Every great actor has to answer one question about his charactor: what do I want? Here, Jackson wants to clear his name, and Spacey wants to retrieve hostages Jackson holds. This sets the conflict in bare bones terms as only the action genre can. The actors have room to develop their charactors.
Both charactors are decent, smart men, put in unthinkable circumstances, two hostage experts matching the sharpest of minds. There is plenty of action, but most of the tension comes from the mental game Spacey and Jackson are playing. The mental game played with A LOT of guns around. It is what MIGHT go wrong that makes the film so frightening. How far will these guys go? Are they going to outsmart the other into a bloodbath?
Jackson's motives are obvious, but the movie does not explain why Spacey allies with him by films end and goes to the lengths he does.
Still, this is a great film from a genre bad actors exploit too much and great actors don't exploit enough.
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