Prisoners

Prisoners is a "it could really happen" suspense film that starts off slow but by the end you'll be tense and wondering what will happen next.  The tension doesn't take long to build up, and once it starts it doesn't let up!  The writer (Aaron Guzikowski) obviously sat around and tried to to think how would people actually react if their child had been abducted, and I really feel that they came up with some good ideas.

Story

The story is good, it takes twists and turns that are believable, and keeps you guessing as to what is really going on right up until the end.  The story is written well, and is such a way that there isn't much of the wasted dialog that most films suffer from, some of the best parts are things said with a facial expression.

Acting

Speaking of facial expressions Hugh Jackman give a rock solid performance here, he shows pain where he needs to and cold determination when appropriate.  You really start to feel for his character and believe the pain he's in though out this film.  Jake Gyllenhaal is cold and mostly unfeeling for the entirety of the film, and that seems to be what he's best at.  Don't get me wrong that is what's called for in the film for the part he was playing and he does it perfectly, I just feel that it's all Jake can do right.

The rest of the supporting cast is fine, but nothing to really write about.

Conclusion

If you're a new parent I would suggest skipping this film, it will give you nightmares.  But if you like a good suspense film you should really give this under rated film a chance, it will pull you in and have you on the edge of your seat before it's done.