Review: “Amber Alert” is a thriller that will make children want to watch it

The period between late August and November 1st is typically a boring time of year for films; When it comes to big-budget holiday films, it's often the calm before the storm. This time of year usually doesn't have much going on in terms of new releases that I'm excited about.

Similar to how I search my refrigerator several times an hour for something new to eat but find nothing except the same bottles of spices and the jar of three olives that never get eaten, I often find myself checking the movie listings over and over again, hoping that something is happening look more appealing to me than what I saw last time. Occasionally I'll be rewarded and a movie will come along that looks interesting enough to lift me out of the off-season doldrums.

This year, the film that caught my attention was Amber Alert.

Amber Alert is a suspenseful thriller that explores one of parents' worst fears – child abduction. This film stars Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams as two strangers who, through unforeseen circumstances, find themselves together in a car that happens to be behind a car suspected of child abduction. The film increases in intensity as it progresses, taking us on a wild ride that we get to share with the two stars as they experience a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns.

There are a lot of things I like about this film, and a few things that could have been better. Let's discuss.

The good

Entertaining

“Amber Alert” starts out mild, but increases in intensity as the film progresses. There are many tense moments in the film that keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what comes next. The film manages to throw in a few twists and turns, adding to the sense of urgency you already feel in this race against time.

Character development

I was impressed by the character arc we get to experience between the two main characters. They start out as strangers, but as the film progresses we learn more about them as they learn more about each other. The beauty of their vulnerability allows us to understand their motivations for what they ultimately do to complete the film.

Thrillers often lack good character development. However, it's obvious that a lot of attention was put into the writing to make these characters relatable, even though they come from two completely different backgrounds. The chemistry between Panettiere and Williams feels natural as it progresses, keeping the dialogue flowing and feeling believable.

Bang for your money

Looking at the credits, it's clear that the film didn't have a large budget, as many of the people involved (including the actors) wore multiple hats to make the film happen. What they were able to achieve with what they did was make the film feel fully fleshed out and lack nothing that was needed to tell a believable story. I don't think most people realize how difficult it is to make a film on a tight budget.

What could have been better

Stage design

Honestly there isn't much to complain about with this film as it is so solid considering what they had to work with. The biggest thing that caught my eye was the interior of one of the places. It felt excessive to think that more could have been done with less.

I don't want to give anything away, so I'll keep it a little vague. The set decoration of this particular living space was used to set the mood for the film and the state of mind of the antagonist. Eventually, however, it became too much and it felt like one of the million haunted houses in Utah that you could pay to visit on Halloween.

Again, this is a minor complaint because it's Halloween time so it doesn't feel out of place to anyone but me.

Boss fight

Maybe I'm admitting more about myself than I'd like, but I would have liked to see a little more of the final battle between the heroes and the villain. Call it my sense of justice, but there is a certain satisfaction when we see the villain get what he deserves (and he does). I just wish the final battle could have been drawn out a little longer, with a few more action sequences, so we could feel a little more invested in the justice that ultimately comes to pass.

Diploma

“Amber Alert” is a well-made thriller that delivers on its promise of excitement and suspense.

If you're looking for a satisfying film to watch this fall that isn't an over-the-top horror or slasher film, Amber Alert is worth a look. As a bonus, you'll definitely want to go home and hug your kids a little tighter.

“Amber Alert” is rated PG-13 for violent content, disturbing images, thematic material and language.