Today on TV comes a star-studded action thriller that tells a really good story. So good, in fact, that it’s been remade four times.
19 years ago, Chris Evans didn’t even know how to write Avengers and Jason Statham had no idea he’d eventually join Vin Diesel’s almost-family. Back then, the two action stars starred in the small genre tearjerker Final Call. Also in it: superstar Kim Basinger. On Thursday evening you can watch Final Call – If he hangs up, she must die on TV. Interestingly, its story was later adapted into four remakes.
What is Final Call about and why is it worthwhile?
This is easily explained: Kim Basinger plays “SIE” (Jessica) in the film’s German subtitle (“Wenn ER auflegt, muss SIE sterben”). Chris Evans is, of course, “HE” (Ryan) in this dramatic relationship of dependence. Jason Statham plays the antagonist Ethan.
Ryan gets a phone call in his car from a woman he doesn’t know, who introduces herself as Jessica in a voice filled with fear. She claims to have been kidnapped by a group of men and asks him for help in a panic. Ryan realises how serious the situation is after he can hear the kidnappers on the phone. He decides to help the strange woman.
Final Call was made at a time when mobile phones were becoming a normal everyday item. The film builds its story entirely on the then still new form of mobile communication. It offers simple but very effective suspense and sometimes fast-paced action. It is not without reason that this combination has survived the last 19 years – and has been the subject of several remakes.
The inconceivable flood of remakes after Final Call
It took almost three years for the first remake of Final Call to appear. Between 2007 and 2009, four films were released that adapted the plot of the film more or less similarly. They all originated in the Asian region.
