Y’know, with a title like iHostage, I was expecting something quirkier or funnier than this dour, over-serious hostage crisis film. And then I found out it was based on a true story and that there’s a documentary about these events. I realized I’d made the wrong choice of which film to watch.

The flick is about a crazy guy who takes an Apple Store hostage… and somehow it takes place in Amsterdam and not some random American city like Hoboken. The guy takes a prisoner and begins negotiating with the cops.

Mostly this film is tedious and tiresome with the usual crime thriller duh-duh-duh score telling us it’s exciting. I’d say a few elements here and there are kind of thrilling but, except for the location, you’ve seen this before in more exciting and less grounded hostage films.

I guess because it’s based on true events, nothing goes full Hollywood. Instead, it’s a lot of talking and waiting for someone – anyone – to make the next move. It doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain… it’s boring and repetitive.

Debating hunting down the documentary but given this film’s pacing and story, I think I got all I need out of just one crazy person takes an Apple Store hostage flick.

Score: 67