Mel Gibson - a man in a million! - plays the part of a business magnate who has no difficulty in finding an instant four million to pay for the ransom asked for his young son.

The ideal trio of man and wife and cherished child suddenly have their happiness ruined by doubtful employees and their opportunist associates. Gibson wants to keep the matter quiet and give up the money at once to be sure of his son's safety but his screen wife says 'no' and insists on involving the FBI.

The operation starts well undercover-work and secrecy but gets bungled when the drop is picked up be a fall guy and the brains of the stunt sits by and watches as modern technology bursts across the scene and gives the game away completely.

The mastermind doesn't want to give up, after all he's got this far and he knows the money is there and as someone with knowledge of police procedures he's confident he won't get caught.

However, Gibson has a change of heart and decides to go public and put up the ransome money for a reward instead because he thinks he'll never see his boy alive again.

The drama continues with all roles played very well and the film has plenty of action from start to finish. It's an old plot up-dated to appeal to the modern audience and has a happy ending for the boy even if he is left with nightmares and is still affected by the trauma of his ordeal. There is a very bloody end to the film as the kidnapper covers his path with the gun and doesn't even spare his best beloved but helped by a few amusing inadvertent situations the message that 'Crime doesn't pay' is made very clear.

There's an hour or two of good viewing with a well made film so stock up with the pop corn or your own favourite goodies and go along to your local cinema to see it. As I say it isn't a new theme but it has its own identity so you won't be bored. Happy viewing.