Slight spoilers ahead. First off, I am giving this movie an 8 for the simple reason that it ends with the good guys winning. I am SO sick of downer films where the good guys lose (die) and the bad guys triumph (there's your first slight spoiler). My first complaint is the few unanswered questions about the plot...like how did they find Nicole in that van, how did that incarcerated pedophile know the bad guy on a first name basis, and how did the bad guys plant all those hidden cameras. But my major complaint is the stereotypical characters.The father who is suspected of his daughter's abduction, but never gives up hope of finding her.The mousy mother who blames her husband for her daughter's disappearance.The daughter who appears to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.The female detective who's on a mission because she lived the experience as a teen.The former homicide detective who goes after suspects without gloves on, holding back no punches. He enjoys this new job because 'I get to deal with living victims'.And finally, and most obvious, the bad guys who resemble comic book characters (Snidely Whiplash and Morticia Addams come to mind).But all that criticism aside, this is an entertaining story and worth a watch.

Sometimes the writer shouldn't direct. Sometimes the writer shouldn't even write. This film is a shambles, a true mess.

"The Captive" is not your usual "B" film kidnapping/imprisonment film. The beginning is a bit confusing as it utilizes flashbacks which I didn't realize for the first 30 minutes, making this film a confusing mess to begin with. I will briefly sort out the first 28 minutes of the movie. If you don't want to know...stop reading.Cassandra (Alexia Fast/Peyton Kennedy) goes missing from the back of her daddy's truck cab. Matt (Ryan Reynolds ) her dad becomes suspect number one to the Niagara group "Anything For Love" headed by Nicole (Rosario Dawson). Matt's wife Tina (Mireille Enos) blames him and turns against him. Jeffry (Scott Speedman) who is part of Nicole's group is openly hostile toward Matt.Cass has special privileges as a captive and provides her captor with a unique service which makes this film a bit different. Matt tries to find Cassandra on his own (better than when OJ went looking for the "real" killer) while the group works without Matt.The film makes for a good "B" movie. It over utilizes the flash backs and really should have never had the flashback scene near the end which had me scratch my head...but wasn't she? How did? Oh a flashback. Of what? A day? A gimmick they really didn't need. Or was it a trick?A four star film that was cut to three stars by the director and editor.Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

So much potential on a great premise and great film with at least a partial message and they screw it up! Firstly, they should have made the location more anonymous so the subject is more universal. Second, why convolute the dialog with gibberish? Thirdly, far greater impact could have been achieved with sane appearing antagonists. Fourthly, would a spouse blame a partner to the end about him/her leaving a 9+ year old child alone for 2 minutes at a vacant location when he/she would have done the same? Next, why weren't the police called to the scene to check for forensics? Lastly, plot goes crazy after we've already lost reality in the plot. Painful to finish.