The Call (II) (2013)

When a veteran 911 operator takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writers:

Richard D'Ovidio (screenplay), Richard D'Ovidio (story),

Stars:

Halle Berry, Evie Thompson, Abigail Breslin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Halle Berry	...	Jordan Turner
Abigail Breslin	...	Casey Welson
Morris Chestnut	...	Officer Paul Phillips
Michael Eklund	...	Michael Foster
David Otunga	...	Officer Jake Devans
Michael Imperioli	...	Alan Denado
Justina Machado	...	Rachel
José Zúñiga	...	Marco
Roma Maffia	...	Maddy
Evie Thompson	...	Leah Templeton (as Evie Louise Thompson)
Denise Dowse	...	Flora
Ella Rae Peck	...	Autumn
Jenna Lamia	...	Brooke
Ross Gallo	...	Josh
Tara Platt	...	Female Trainee

Storyline

Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) is an experienced 911 operator but when she makes an error in judgment and a call ends badly, Jordan is rattled and unsure if she can continue. But then teenager Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) is abducted in the back of a man's car and calls 911. And Jordan is the one called upon to use all of her experience, insights and quick thinking to help Casey escape, and not just to save Casey, but to make sure the man is brought to justice.

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Plot Keywords:

911 Operator | Murder | Black Hero White Villain | Underground Torture Chamber | Left To Die | 

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Taglines:

There are 188 million 911 calls a year. This one made it personal.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing content and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hive

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$17,118,745 (USA) (15 March 2013)

Gross:

$41,442,402 (USA) (3 April 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Troika Pictures, WWE Studios, Emergency Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the movie when you hear all the 911 calls overlapping each other, you hear a man calling about overdosing, stating that his wife overdosed as well. This is a reference to the real-life 2006 incident when a police officer and his wife ingested marijuana-laced brownies and called 911 to report that he and his wife were dying from the overdose. The audio from this actual 911 call became highly publicized and can be heard on many different media outlets.

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Goofs

When Jordan stumbles upon the trapdoor access to the underground bunker, it is covered with leaves and debris. But Michael is already inside, so the debris would have have fallen away when he opened the trap door.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.105 (2013)
a clip from the film starring Abigail Breslin is shown

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Soundtracks

"Puttin' On the Ritz"
Performed by Taco Ockerse
Written by Irving Berlin

User Reviews

This is one "Call" definitely worth answering...

It's been quite awhile since I've reviewed a movie, but this one warranted one.

I had seen the previews for this movie left and right over the past few weeks and it did a sufficient job of pulling me in, so I decided to go to to the theatre and check it out. I didn't have too many expectations going in, but were they definitely fulfilled and then some.

This movie has an old-school vibe and feel to it. It doesn't rely on heavy CGI to get it's point across. In fact, it has a very meagre budget, but it doesn't show or feel that way one single bit. I was on the edge of my seat for much of the film. The tension was top notch, the tones were absolutely spot on, the close-ups of the actors and actresses faces showed their true nervousness, stresses and worked effectively.

The story is over the top, but the acting is very good. It's been awhile since I've seen Halle Berry in a film where I deemed her performance to be honest and believable until this one.

Some people may not like some of the camera work during the "cruel" scenes, but I happen to like it.

There were a few unintentionally funny scenes, but I chalk it up to dark comedic moments and it isn't detrimental one bit.

I highly recommend you check this movie out if you love a top notch, edge of your seat, over the top plot, well acted thriller. You will most likely not be disappointed.

9 out of 10 stars, easily!