Is Abduction Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1997)

📖 The Core Premise

Abduction stands as a 1997 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Action, Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The film opens with kidnappers of a corporate executive making an unusual ransom demand: that a wizened executive from another company haul large bags of money through downtown Tokyo as the media documents his every move. When the first old man almost dies from exhaustion, a second, and eventually a third elderly corporate fat cat is ordered to do the same. The police detective assigned to the case (Tetsuya Watari) and his younger partner (Masatoshi Nagase) are livid with indignation at this sorry spectacle. They learn that these four men were involved in a massive industrial spill that poisoned an entire rural hamlet 20 years previous. Suddenly, the detective -- who studied in the States and apparently absorbed some John Wayne-like mannerisms in the process -- isn't sure who are the victims and who are the villains."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Abduction, even the presence of Tetsuya Watari struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Action. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Abduction worth your time? If you appreciate Action, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Abduction misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 112 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.