After completing their separate projects, “Braveheart” & “Apollo 13,” Mel Gibson & Ron Howard collaborate on a film titled, “Ransom.” A remake of a 1956 film, it follows a wealthy airline businessman who’s son is kidnapped. With assistance from the police, the businessman tries to do everything he can to save his son by giving the perps millions of dollars. Released in 1996, (same year Super Mario 64 came out) Ransom earned good reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Plus, it was a box office hit.
I have three reasons why I wanna share my routine on Ransom.
- Mel Gibson is currently working on “The Resurrection of the Christ.” A two-part sequel to “The Passion of the Christ.” Both parts will be released in March 26 and May 6, 2027.
- Mel and Danny Glover will reprise their roles in “Lethal Weapon 5.” As of May 2026, there’s no confirmation for an intended release date.
- Mel himself will attend Fan Expo Dallas 2026. The upcoming three-day event will commence on September 11-13. Say what you will about Mel, but I might possibly take my pic with him. Still gotta wait on who else is coming this year. Mel’s pretty expensive for a photo and autograph. I’d save a lotta cash if I were you,
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Strong & Weak Aspects
Strong: Mel Gibson did a fantastic job for his performance.
Other Cast Members such as Rene Russo, Gary Sinise, Delroy London, Liev Schreiber, Lili Taylor & Donnie Wahlberg all did decent job for their respective performances.
Ron Howard did a great job directing.
Novelist/screenwriter, Richard Price (The Color of Money, Clockers, The Night Of) wrote the script. He made sure certain plot points were spot on.
Brian Grazer served as a producer courtesy of his and Ron’s production company, Imagine Entertainment.
James Horner (Aliens, The Mask of Zorro, Troy) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Cinematography’s shot in stable condition.
Pacing didn’t feel like a slow burn.
Although a loose remake of the 1956 film of the same name, I consider the 1996 version as a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low.”
Fun Facts
- Remember the infamous line? “Give me back my son!” It was later referenced in “South Park.” That one episode mocking Mel as a caricature of Daffy Duck.
- Both, Mel & Rene also played a couple in Lethal Weapon 3-4.
- One character’s name is Jackie Brown. One Year Later, Quentin Tarantino adapted Elmore Leonard’s “Rum Punch.” Ransom has zero ties to Quentin’s third film.
- John Smith’s mentioned as a pseudonym. Mel voiced the character in “Pocahontas.” Let me tell ya, Disney’s interpretation is historically inaccurate as “Balto.”
Weak: Plot Hole – When one of the kidnappers takes Sean, there’s a whole bunch of people walking or standing by out in the open. Is the entire crowd blind Stevie Wonder? If this were real life, the attempted kidnapping would never happen.
The Final Verdict: A-
Despite one nitpick, Ransom is a near-perfect competent crime thriller. If you’re prepping up for Lethal Weapon 5 or Fan Expo Dallas 2026, check out Ransom.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 