This was a solid movie. The performances were good throughout. One weak actor can ruin a movie, but there were none. Teri Polo was very good in a difficult role. Chaz Palminteri is always compelling. He manages to bring honesty to every role and underplays beautifully. The writing was clever, and a nice departure from what normally passes as a thriller. The screenwriter did a nice job of conveying a lot without repetition. Good use of misdirection. I thought the score could have been better - it felt inserted at times. Most importantly, though, the story flowed well and accomplishes the key task of any film - it keeps the viewer wanting to know what will happen next.

Over the opening credits, a woman appears to be running for her life. She turns out to be multi-millionaire mom Teri Polo (as Brooke Holton). Following a tragedy for which she blames herself, Ms. Polo takes comfort in pills, alcohol and cigarettes. Loving husband Matt Socia (as Albert Fuentes) and tightly-clothed co-worker Tia Carrere (as Michelle Gaines) are worried. Polo goes through professional psychoanalysis, but it doesn't work. She makes bad decisions at work, burns breakfast and drunkenly drops her birthday cake on the lawn. Her stupor also makes Polo vulnerable to stalking kidnappers..."Final Recourse" aka "Taken for Ransom" almost works. Watching it a second time will reveal the story's breaking point – a point-of-view error at about the 20 minute mark; listen for the line, "Rats leaving the sinking ship," and the cocking of a gun. Oddly, there are a couple of places where a little extra editing would have made a scene like this fairly consistent with the ending. Still, the basics of an engaging story are there. Most engrossing is the plight of Polo and younger victim Luke Eberl (as William "Will" Graves) in a deserted gymnasium. Directed by Barbara Stepansky, they are quite captivating.***** Final Recourse/ Taken for Ransom (12/16/13) Barbara Stepansky ~ Teri Polo, Matt Socia, Lucas Elliot Eberl, Chazz Palminteri

I enjoy a good psychological thriller. This one has it all: suspense, challenging plot twists, good writing that keeps you guessing every step of the way.The ending was interesting and tied all the other parts of the movie together.The acting was excellent, and the dialogue keeps you on the edge of your seat.So sit back, grab the bucket of popcorn, and wait for the thrills to start.The movie has a great deal of adrenaline rushes. And so often, what you think, is not.When they disclose at the end of the movie the who's whos, many will be surprised and shocked.So get your blanket out, stay warm, and enjoy the movie.Definitely worth your time to see.

I've never seen a movie go completely awry in the last 20 minutes or so.When a couple lose their son in an auto accident, it's all downhill for the mother quite rapidly.This is just in time for her to be kidnapped and put into an abandoned gym with another kidnap victim.The two plot to escape and do so leaving their tormentors dead in a sea of bullets. Unfortunately, her fellow captive also takes a bullet.Returning to the real world, our heroine soon "discovers" that supposedly her husband is carrying on with her partner.It's then that this film goes completely berserk. The unimaginable occurs with our dead people coming alive. We wanted our heroine to return to good health, but what was done to her is absolutely preposterous. Ridiculous to say the least.