It can’t be denied that since the 2000s, the country’s film industry offered great movies and films with different genres to Filipino viewers, and one of these–is the action-packed film, Hostage.
It was loved by many in the 2000s.
With a track record of smash-hit action dramas like Utol (which launched Victor Neri as an action star), Asero and Mahal Kita, Huwag Kang Kokontra, and others, Star Cinema and Cesar Montano were partners at the box office (co-starring Dayanara Torres).
They teamed up once more in Hostage, a stunning suspense-action drama that serves as Star Cinema’s first salvo of 2001.
The Action drama film featured Kristine Hermosa and Roi Vinzon, Bayani Agbayani, Amy Austria, Daniel Fernando, Moreen Guese, Rommel Montano, Richard Merck, and Archi Adamos in the cast.
The story revolves around Jimmy Pizaras (Montano), whose ultimate purpose in life is to assassinate drug lord Johnny Morales (Vinzon) and to avenge his daughter’s death.
Jimmy crafted several strategies to achieve his goal. When his previous ones failed, he kidnapped his opponent’s daughter.
On the other hand, Jimmy discovered that Mabel is just Johnny’s adopted daughter to project a better public image.
Jimmy, still intent on carrying out his vengeful plan, hid the child in a remote village.
He then met Gina, played by Kristine Hermosa, there. Later, as he formed romantic feelings for Gina, Jimmy’s heart softened for the girl.
As Jimmy sought to come clean, he told Gina about Johnny’s ruthless murders of his family, especially his only daughter Annie. Gina told him he had to give up. However, Jimmy is torn between seeking vengeance and forgiving his foe.
But what sets Hostage apart from the other films of Star Cinemas in the 2000s?
In the 2000s, the Philippines had a great number of abducting incidents in the 2000s. Philippine government, military, and media often portray Abu Sayyaf as the primary perpetrators of abduction in the country.
Directed by Augusto Salvador, the film director decided to address kidnapping and hostage-taking, which is a lingering problem plaguing the Philippine government and governments worldwide.
In choosing the lead actor, Direk Salvador seems to choose the right actor for the movie. Tracking back, Cesar Montano is among the lead actors in the 2000s that are always present in action movies.
Looking past Cesar Montano’s early film credits, such as Machete, Ang Bukas Ay Akin Asero, Mahal Kita, and Huwag Kang Kokontra, one can see that he is one of the country’s action movie stars.
In an article on Philstar, actor Cesar Montano shared that the film Hostage is close to his heart.
“Tamang-tama ang pelikulang ito. Timely and timely ang topic,” said Cesar Montano.
