A high school student, Nathan (Taylor Lautner), finds his photograph on a missing persons website, and begins a search for the truth behind his identity, leading him into danger.
Directed by John Singleton, Abduction is a calamity of a film when it comes to performances, script, and depth. The plot is only average in terms of intelligence - whilst the premise of a boy finding his photo on a missing persons website could have provided a brilliant dark thriller, this film preferred the “safer” route in terms of theatrical audiences, making it a fast-paced cheese-fest with a rock soundtrack.
Lautner, in his first feature film away from the Twilight franchise, gives an unimpressive performance in the lead role. His abilities in stunts are notable (rolling off the front of a pick-up truck at the beginning of the film), but any moment of character reflection creates a clumsy, cringe-worthy atmosphere.
Lilly Collins, as Nathan’s friend and romantic interest Karen, provides a better performance, but the two together make the film seem more like an episode of 90210, rather than the Bourne films.
Singleton chooses some heavy rock tracks alongside his picturesque cinematography, which, rather than creating a stunning contrast, just seems awkward and uncomfortable.
Some moments of intensity during the fray between Nathan and his pursuers are entertaining to watch during the middle section, but the film seems patched together with “winning combinations” that in reality make the movie seem shallow and weak.
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