In this Chicago-based thriller, Samuel L. Jackson plays a police negotiator framed for the murder of his partner. Holding hostages in retaliation, he demands the services of a rival negotiator (Kevin Spacey). This is fairly efficient if you can square efficiency with being twice as long as necessary and overly familiar to boot; at least Jackson and Spacey keep it afloat. Directed by F. Gary Gray from a script by James DeMonaco and Kevin Fox; with David Morse, Ron Rifkin, John Spencer, and the late J.T. Walsh. (JR)