“Trapped” was officially released in 2002. (same year Coldplay’s second album A Rush of Blood to the Head came out) It was criticality panned by critics and movie goers alike. Sony failed to recoup its $30 million budget. “Sweet Home Alabama” & “The Tuxedo” made more money than Trapped.
Dakota Fanning (one of my favorite actresses) has a few upcoming projects. First, she’ll reunite with Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer 3.” Second, she’ll star in Ishna Night Shyamalan’s (M. Night’s daughter) directorial debut titled, “The Watchers.” Third, collaborate with Nicole Kidman & Liev Schreiber in a Netflix mini-series “The Perfect Couple.” As a huge fan of Ms. Fanning’s work, I wanna share my thoughts on this underrated gem before her aforementioned projects come out.
This review contains no SPOILERS whatsoever. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Free & Captured Aspects
Free: Charlize Theron, Kevin Bacon, (Star-Lord’s favorite actor) Courtney “Queen of Trash” Love & Dakota Fanning all did a decent job for their respective performances.
John Ottman (X2: X-Men United, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Mark Canton (300, Escape Plan) produced the film.
Pacing didn’t feel slow for a 90-minute film. After the Opening Credits, the plot moves immediately forward.
Opening Scene officially sets the Tone as an intense neo-noir crime thriller.
At the 09:35 mark, “The Simpsons” appear on TV. Back in 2002, a video game called, “Hit and Run” was in development.
At the 1:09:50 mark, Jon Cryer’s character Duckie from Pretty in Pink” can be seen on TV. He’s also Lex Luthor in the Arrowverse. I know he played Lex’s nephew, Lenny in “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” We don’t talk about that.
Story is about a mother who must pay a quarter million to a pair of kidnappers within 24 hours or else her severely asthmatic daughter will be harmed. Could’ve been very difficult if the ransom money is worth $50 million dollars. In the legendary words of Chris Tucker in “Rush Hour.” $50 MILLION DOLLARS!?” “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU”RE KIDNAPPING, CHELSEA CLINTON!?”
This won’t be the last time Dakota gets kidnapped. Denzel “My Man” Washington comes to the rescue in “Man on Fire.”
Both Trapped & Panic Room have a similar premise involving a home invasion. Coincidentally, Dakota & Kristen Stewart later collaborated in “The Twilight Saga” & “The Runaways.” They’re good friends in real-life.
Abby isn’t completely useless after all. She’s capable in stealth. As if she’s been playing “Metal Gear Solid” on the original PlayStation.
One scene made me laugh. Kevin Bacon’s character Joe sounds like Towelie from “South Park” saying… “Get the payment upfront!” Hey, it’s less cringy than Jared Leto’s Joker in “Suicide Squad” saying… “Listen, you are my gift to this handsome HONKA HONKA!”
Joe has a web tattoo on his belly. Films with spiders were a trend back in 2002 listed below.
- Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man was Sony’s biggest film.
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones – A droid spider appears during the Battle of Geonosis.
- Eight Legged Freaks – Toxic Waste causes spiders to become giant.
- Crocodile Hunter: Collison Course – A tarantula was shown briefly during a chase scene.
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force – A giant spider wearing a diaper (not kidding) poses as a rapper named, MC Pee Pants.
- Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams – A literal spider monkey hybrid. Top half has the body of a monkey and the bottom has spider legs.
- Harry Poter and the Chamber of Secrets – Giant spiders reside in the forbidden forest.
One scene shows Abby watching “The Secret of NIMH.”
A Climatic Chase is perhaps the best part.
A Plot Twist reveals Joe & Cheryl’s motive on why they want to kidnap Abby. Now that’s a way better twist than M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs.”
Before the film starts, the Columbia Pictures Logo is desaturated. What you’re about to see is a neo-noir crime thriller. Trapped isn’t the only neo-noir crime thriller released in 2002.
- Minority Report
- Panic Room
- Insomnia (my favorite film of the year)
- Road to Perdition
- Attack of the Clones (has a mystery-thriller element)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (it counts as one)
Captured: Cinematography is mostly janky throughout. Get used to it. As if “George of the Jungle” got hooked on coffee, due to his inability to keep a camera still shouting, “JAVA JAVA JAVA JAVA JAVA!”
The Final Verdict: A-
Trapped is a surprisingly decent neo-noir crime thriller. I don’t understand why critics hated it. I thought it was great. If you’re a huge Dakota Fanning fan like me or into neo-noir films, I highly recommend this underrated gem.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 