I usually find it interesting when Hollywood filmmakers decide to study trending topics online, only to try and maximize on them by creating what they believe to be tailor-made films for up-and-coming movie stars.
If such a meeting ever took place, I'd assume it'd have gone something like this: studies showing that the trilogy of Bourne films starring Matt Damon as Robert Ludlum's superspy had made tons of money, could only signify an even bigger pile of cash, if one were to substitute a slowly aging actor with a much more promising superstar, one who'd represented a third of the biggest trio attraction to drive teen viewers in droves by the millions, into the nation's multiplexes.
Sadly, such an equation isn't necessarily that simple. All the same, the premise of John Singleton's Abduction still holds together somewhat, and could have offered so much more promise, had its lead been up to the task.
What is Abduction About?
A teenager with anger management issues (Taylor Lautner) who lives with his strict but demanding parents (Maria Bello and Jason Isaacs), has often wondered why he's never felt at home with these people who've spent more time showing him defense tactics than parental affection.
One day, while working on a school project regarding use of internet towards locating missing kids, Nathan (Lautner) and pretty neighbor/school assignment partner Karen (Lily Collins) stumble upon a webpage which shows a kid who bears incredible resemblance to Nathan. Upon contacting the liaison listed on said webpage, the young pair discover they may have stumbled unto more than they bargained for.
Nathan discovers he may in fact be the son of a redoubtable CIA spy named Martin Price (Dermot Mulroney, whom we barely see in the film), a highly ranked agent who obtained valuable intelligence from a notorious terrorist named Kozlow (Michael Nyquist, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest). Unable to find Price, Kozlow hopes to draw him out by targeting the son, he who is just barely discovering his true identity.
In a clever game of cat and mouse, Nathan must try and stay ahead of his pursuers, if only to protect Karen, as well as find out more about his real father, and hopefully bring Kozlow to justice.
Abduction Chock Full of Action Scenes, Short on Substance
There's lots of potential which goes mostly untapped in this film; one must wonder if it was out of a lack of time, resources, or simply an inadequate script. Relying on Taylor Lautner's training as a teen martial artist (I'm not kidding, look him up on YouTube, the boy has some mad acrobatic skills), director John Singleton hoped to create a new action hero for a younger generation, but focused too heavily on the teen's mission to meet his old man rather than highlight his young star's athletic ability.
Jason Isaacs and Maria Bello act as the boy's parents/handlers, teaching him all he needs to know as he grows older and potentially becomes an enemy target. This much makes little sense at first, but becomes gradually clear as the film moves along. Ditto an early appearance by Sigourney Weaver as Nathan's shrink, later proving to be a more substantial presence in his life.
My main point of contention here is that of the stunt casting of Michael Nyquist as the lead villain, an obviously telegraphed move, given his body of work of late. It'd have been nice to see a different actor play against type, rather than be left with no surprise at all, as to the true nature of Kozlow's character. From the very first grin at airport security, the audience is told too soon of this villain's endgame, leaving little to no surprise, plot-wise.
Bonus Features?
A few interviews with cast and crew permeate the features here, along with an unfunny blooper reel. The latter is more of a series of gaffes than funny bloopers, with a brief series of on-set accidents, leads making faces at the camera, etc...nothing to get a rise out of you.
The Final Word on Abduction
The audience will be split on this film. Those who've loved the Bourne films or the fighting spy genre in general, may be persuaded to at least give this film a chance, despite the film's parental quest subplot.
The other half will be clearly be the sea of lovesick tweens who managed to sink millions into the Twilight franchise, and who never needed an excuse to see this film in the first place. If so, perhaps this decidedly un-fantastic tale of intrigue and survival may at least broaden their movie horizons past the level of emo vampires and shirtless werewolves.
Abduction Blu-Ray: 3 out of 5
Dominic Messier - Dominic Messier is a Toronto-based Film & TV writer, Sci-Fi TV and Film Dramas Topic Editor, and creator of PopCultureLandscape.com
