Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by
Amber Alert, a movie produced in 2012 and directed by Kerry Bellessa, was mentioned in the series. Overall, it was not well acclaimed because people did not like the characters or the things they did. Interestingly, twelve years later, Bellessa returned to the film to remember it by remaking it with slight modifications just to fine-tune it. The story is not very different from the previous version but this new version makes the movie easier to watch as it brings better changes.
In the scenario of the movie, there are two main characters Jaq and Shane who end up going on a hunt for a car associated with Amber Alert. To the reader who might not be conversant with the term Amber Alert, it is an alert involving child abduction, which assists the public in identifying the missing child or the kidnapper.
Jaq and Shane are strangers, but both are appropriate and benevolent individuals who feel compelled to assist after learning about the abduction. Jaq is played by Hayden Panettiere who is familiar with films such as Scream 4 and Scream 6 while the role of Shane is played by Tyler James Williams known for the series The Walking Dead. Main and Johnson have good chemistry on screen but there are a couple of instances where it appears as if the film itself wants to make the audience think there is something more than just a camaraderie vibe between the two of them due to the circumstances going on around them. Thankfully, the movie doesn’t dwell too much on this aspect and thus the issue does not overpower the film.
One of the best performances is by Katie McClellan who portrays the mother of the kidnapped girl. I believe she has succeeded in portraying the feeling of having to go through such a horrible situation as a parent, and the audience can empathize with her.
Comparing the Original and the Remake Precisely as in the original movie, this new version also happens, as suggested by the title, throughout one night. The only significant difference is a more distinct approach to filming and the replacement of the main characters. The events in the story of the 2012 film revolved around three friends trailing a suspicious car. However, in the remake, they are different people Jaq does not even know Shane exists until they meet on the road. Jaq is almost late for a date when she encounters Shane, an out-of-uniform ride-hailing service driver. When they start their drive, the Amber Alert is disseminated and they inadvertently get pulled into the high-stakes, high-stress scenario.
The newcomers who have not seen the old Amber Alert may consider the remake familiar. It also contains scenes that are almost the same with slight differences. However, this cut provides a broader look into the life of other characters including an emergency dispatcher portrayed by Saidah Arrika Ekulona, and a police officer by Kevin Dunn. These characters give the movie more perspective, helping to build out the world beyond the film.
The only component of the opera that stays the same is the presence of Bluetooth as one of the characters. However, as for the relationship between Jaq and Shane and how it differs from the fighting between the three main characters, Marmalade and Alforth, it could not be any more different. Jaq and Shane in this version are much cooler to watch, unlike in so many movies that provide a lot of yelling and screaming, which I did not like.
The Characters If you cannot bear the noisy dispute of the first movie, the dialogue between Panettiere and Williams will be more comfortable to listen to. Initially, they just playfully take a minor sexual interest in each other but as the movie progresses they become committed to achieving their mission of tracking the kidnapper. There’s even a tense moment where Jaq directly challenges the abductor, played by Kurt Oberhaus, in a game of wits and bravery.
The story element is even more profound in the remake, which has made the character’s actions and plans mostly credible. At the beginning of the film, Panettiere’s character Jaq stays more in the background while Williams’ character Shane takes the most risks; however, when Jaq finally reveals the reason behind her desire to help Shane – saying a trembling monologue that affects viewers, she becomes much more attractive.
Conclusion This new Amber Alert might be more preferable if you’ve never watched the 2012 one because it looks less frustrating and most of the flaws of the previous movie are addressed, including the presence of unbearable characters. For the people who did not enjoy the first film, this remake could be like getting a new opportunity to experience the plot. While it retains the primary storyline from the first movie, it fixes some of the mistakes made therein. But, one of the things that set the original apart was that it was shot in the journalistic style, as found footage, making it feel more visceral. While this new version is neater, clearer, and generally more pleasant to engage with, the process is slightly sanitized.
The vengeance of the villain in the remake does not seem as threatening as the one in the original, which makes it easier on the audience, but not as exciting. While some may appreciate what has been done as a change, there will certainly be others who may feel the absence of straight-up tension that was present in the original.
Overall, this new Amber Alert is a slicker, more light-hearted retelling of a tough child-abduction thriller. Having two likable main characters and a less complicated plot – it is much easier to support the heroes. It may not be as deep but it is a much more enjoyable ride for a greater portion of the audience.
Amber Alert 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Amber Alert is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for violent content, disturbing images, thematic material and language.
Violence & Intensity: The most significant and unadjusted part of the plot is based on a child’s kidnapping, which can cause dramatic and even disturbing perceptions in the minds of young viewers. The theme of kidnapping is depicted fairly realistically; there are several scenes showing the characters’ conversation regarding the threats and risks associated with kidnapping and searching for the missing child. It was not graphic but the themes were rather unsettling, so it might be easily distressing for some viewers. The events in the movie are concentrated in one night and contain moments of the utmost tension. There is a feeling of danger that is created by following a potential kidnapper by the main characters. These chase sequences are usually action with the pursuit and the near capture of the protagonists by the abductor. As for interactional aspects, there are scenes depicting dialogue between characters, mostly between Jaq and the kidnapper. These scenes incidentally increase tensions without transitioning into physical aggression. It is more psychological, with the events implied rather than shown as in the case of the climax of violence. Perhaps some of the scenes indicate that the characters might be in danger, however, there are no gory details depicted. For instance, the heroes can face the antagonist and begin to fight him, thus experiencing physical danger.
Language: The movie has a rating for ‘mild’ language, which is used sporadically throughout the movie. Words such as ‘damn’ or ‘hell’ may be employed in anger or distress, but the language does not escalate beyond that. As the situations are tense, the characters could use slightly harsher words, but nothing that goes beyond any PG-13 rated movie. The characters do engage in heated dialogues, especially regarding their decisions to pursue the abductor. NG, unlike the loud shouting as seen in the 2012 version, some dialogues depict various emotions such as stress or being afraid.
Sexual Content: This aspect is evident in early sequences in the movie where there are moments of flirtatious moves between Jaq and Shane. This is not a very big aspect of the movie and the focus shifts to the plot that has to do with the kidnapping of a child. However, the initial fun and games feel could make the audience assume that there is a romantic angle, although no impropriety occurs. This can be seen from the fact that there is no sex or nudity in the film. The concentration is still on the characters’ ethical choices and their efforts to rescue a kid. This sparks a brief but out-of-character moment of flirting, which does not develop any further, particularly when the situation gets more serious afterward.
Substance Use: There could be overt or off-hand remarks about drinking alcohol especially when referring to Jaq’s background situation. For example, she is late for a date, and there may be references to alcohol consumption occasionally. However, no individual is depicted as consuming alcohol to the point of intoxication or being spontaneously inebriated. It is noteworthy that there is no example of drug use portrayed in the movie. The characters do not lose their heads and do not engage in aimless activities to distract themselves from the search for the child.
