Amber Alert

This was a title I decided to watch when I wanted something that was not too long and engrossing. I decided on this little movie and was not disappointed that I did.

First I will say the leads were both good and believable. I was enthralled with the story being as slight as it was but still made you want them to find the little girl.

And I must say that watching the lead actor was very easy on my eyes. Now I will have to start watching Abbott Elementary. All in all I would say if you have some time to spend and want something that is worth watching and easy on the eyes while also a somewhat nail biter, then I would suggest this title.

Amber Alert (2024) delivers a tense and suspenseful thriller that keeps you on edge for most of its runtime, but ultimately falls short of being a standout in the genre. The movie revolves around a child abduction case, using the titular "Amber Alert" as its central plot device, and blends elements of crime drama with psychological tension.

The film's greatest strength lies in its atmosphere. The pacing is relentless, with enough twists and turns to maintain engagement, especially in the first two acts. The direction does a commendable job of creating a sense of urgency and dread, with handheld camera work and dark, claustrophobic settings that enhance the mood.

Performances are solid across the board, especially from the lead detective, whose emotional conflict adds a human layer to the otherwise procedural narrative. The abductor is portrayed with chilling ambiguity, keeping the audience guessing about motives and identity until the final act.

However, where Amber Alert stumbles is in its third act. The resolution, while satisfying, feels rushed and a little predictable. Some of the emotional beats don't land as effectively as they could, and the supporting characters often feel underdeveloped, leaving you wanting more depth. Additionally, the film occasionally leans too heavily on familiar thriller tropes, making parts of the story feel formulaic.

Overall, Amber Alert is a well-crafted thriller that delivers enough tension and drama to be worth watching. It may not break new ground in the genre, but for its strong performances and atmospheric direction, this film should be on your watchlist, though it may not leave a lasting impression.

Look it's not going to win any Oscars, but it's not as bad as some reviewers are making it out to be. The acting is not oscar worthy, but what are you expecting here? Saying that, the acting is not that bad either. There is enough tension and suspense to keep you hooked. Honestly I think this was quite good. I have seen A LOT worse out there.

At the beginning you think Hayden's character is a bit airheaded and selfish and I guess that was the intention. They don't overplay that the taxi driver is a bad dad. He's just trying to make it like every other person out there. Trying to do good by his kid. But at the same time trying to do good.

So yeah, the police could have done more. But they didn't stereotype it so that they did absolutely nothing or the opposite, overplayed it so it was way too unrealistic. If this movie nteaches us anything, its that far too often people do nothing when they really should. People don't want to get involved, but at the same time it's not trying to advocate that everyone should take the law into their own hands. It's trying to tell us that if you see something they is not right, trust your instincts. If it proves to be nothing, then at least you tried. But what if you ignored your instincts, what if you were one move away from saving someone. Think on that and stop judging every step like it has to be epic.

The child is kidnapped in less than 20 seconds. A mom is partial witness too late. Two strangers on the cusp of being late for an important appointment separately. The guilt and pressure, a choice is made. An Amber Alert hits all phones. What would YOU do if there was a strong chance the kidnappers vehicle was near you?!?!

From this point on it gets intense. Is it the kidnapper? What is the driver's intentions?!? You find out more about the car in question and driver. Do you trust instinct? Do you risk your important appointment. Do you risk your safety and your life quite literally?

The two main characters Jaq & Shane are relatable and you learn a little more about them. Some aspects of the movie are obvious. Yet some things have you trying to figure out until the near end.

Although the movie is good. I'd say Halle Berry's 2017 Kidnap was more intense and somehow better.

The last 30 minutes of Amber Alert is disturbing. As you can piece together what has/will happened/happen and it's pretty unimaginable horrific.

While somewhat predictable, this movie provides viewers with the familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Jaq and Shane don't know each other, but share a light chemistry early on, and while it doesn't necessarily lean into romance, their bond proves strong and necessary for what the film becomes. I think I enjoyed them bonding together more than the progression of the film. Shane's character needed more development. And I feel like they just threw Jaq's backstory at us when it was convenient, but I'm fine with how it played out. The plot is fairly predictable, but in a way I didn't mind. Watch if you want a safe (pun intended), solid movie with actors you know and love (if you haven't grown to love Tyler James Williams from Everybody Hates Chris or Abbott Elementary, what are you doing?!!). Or if you don't know them at all, even better!