The Negotiator

F. Gary Gray directed this suspenseful action thriller based on a real case experienced by police in St. Louis. The James DeMonaco/Kevin Fox screenplay follows an accused man who is forced to commit crimes in order to prove himself innocent of murder. After Chicago police hostage negotiator Danny ...more

This gripping police corruption thriller manages to acquit itself fairly well despite showing some very conspicuous seams. As usual, Samuel L. Jackson plays the slick "bad m.f." character to near-perfection and Kevin Spacey, trying his hand at action, hammers down his fairly straight role. All the vital elements of suspense drama are present; unfortunately, a few sleight-of-hand script shortcuts give the movie an amateurish feel. F. Gary Gray's bang-up direction should please the genre's fans, ...more