The thriller “Cellular,” from original idea by Larry Cohen, better known as director of exploitation flicks, is his second telephone-based story, following “Phone Booth.”
Too bad the direction by David Ellis is so poor, for the premise of the tale is potentially intriguing: A thread of electronic data may be the only thing that can save a women and her family in this thriller.
Kim Basinger plays Jessica Martin, a biology teacher who is kidnapped by Ethan (Jason Statham), a vicious criminal threatening to murder her husband and son if he doesn’t get what he wants.
To that extent, Ethan destroys the only working telephone in the cabin where she’s held, Nonetheless, Jessica manages to put enough of the pieces together to send out a call, which is then accidentally picked up by Ryan (Chris Evans), a college student on his cellular phone.
It’s not an easy task since they are complete strangers, but Jessica somehow manages to convince Ryan of her dangerous situation. Not knowing where she’s being held. Ryan’s cell phone is the only evidence of her existence and the only link to her whereabouts. It doesn’t help matter that the batteries of Ryan’s cell are beginning to wear out–rapidly.
MPAA: PG-13,
Running time: 94 Minutes.
