Bruce Willis rocks!!
Added 9/5/2009
This film is essentially a modernized remake of the famous film (which was based on the famous novel) "The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth. It features modern day politics and, of course, modern day technology. What the film really features, however, is an excellent cast dominated by Bruce Willis, who turns in a superb performance. Instead of being a kind, sensitive type, as in "The Sixth Sense" once again Willis is a cold, brutal, and competent killer. He pulls it off brilliantly, and it is Willis' performance that carries the film. Sidney Portier and Richard Gere also turn in fine performances. Gere, in particular, manages to really come across as an Irishman--none of the phony-sounding accents that have grated on several otherwise good performances in other recent films. (Harrison Ford in "K19" comes immediately to mind).
Mostly the film moves at a good clip and holds the viewer's interest. The storyline, which retains many similarities to "The Day of the Jackal" rarely drags, and includes plenty of action. I enjoyed this film, and will watch it again. Recommended. RJB.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
It tries, and in the end it fails
Added 5/24/2009
The only good things about this movie are Bruce Willis, Sydney Poitier, and Jack Black. And that's about it; the rest of the movie is anything but special. It's an almost worthless movie if it weren't for the three actors mentioned above. The plot had some interesting elements, but what ruins the film are pretty much everything else. Richard Gere, especially, turns out to be quite annoying and incredibly dull. The chemistry between him and Diane Verona's character didn't work at all. I almost felt like I skipping their scenes and focusing only on Willis.
The good editing, music, and cinematography turn out to be a waste in The Jackal. I should have watched the original 1973 film instead.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Credibility-Aside, It's A Fun Watch
Added 5/23/2009
Here is an almost-typical modern-day crime film in which a hired killer goes after a political figure and the FBI tries to stop him.
The cast of Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Diane Venora is first- class. All of them play interesting and likable characters - even the villain! Gere did a credible job with an Irish accent and Venora the same, playing a Russian. It was fun watch Willis with his various disguises. The story keeps your interest all the way. It does it right by not having too much action, but shocking and memorable when it does occur. If you have good speakers there is some great sound in the last 20 minutes. A good movie if you like suspense.
If I mention some of the "bad" stuff, it gives away the ending. Suffice to say you see a number of scenes where credibility goes out the window.
Overall, however, the film is definitely worth a look.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Let the classics live and leave aside the remakes; would you?
Added 5/4/2009
This remake of the classic Forsyhte's best seller, was directed by the hypertalented Fred Zinemmann. I should admit the first half of this remake really captured the full attention of the audience.
Bruce Willis made his second best acting after "Twelve monkeys", despite of the fact he doesn't get to acquire the gelid expression of Edward Fox, he gets to involve the spectator.
The problem with the film resides in the unnecesary amount of secondary roles, with Sydney Poitier looking extremely uncomfortable with the role, with Richard Gere whose baby face makes incredible his role as an Irish terrorist and the presence of a Russian agent makes the movie had fallen into a very entangled web of dramatic lines whose final resolution affects the primary plot.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Watch it for Bruce Willis if Nothing Else
Added 2/24/2009
Is it wrong that I was rooting for the assassin the entire film? I mean I love a great shoot-em-up flick now and again, but what I found when watching "The Jackal" was that I was really hoping to see Willis pull of his assignment.
I'm not into spoilers, so I won't say whether or not the titular assassin is successful in eliminating his target, but the fun of the film lies in seeing him plot his crime. Richard Gere as a former IRA "terrorist" is okay as the lead, but gets overshadowed both by Willis and by his Soviet MVD counterpart. The Irish accent Gere adopts in the flick isn't as bad as Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood" English accent, but it is pretty close. I think there were several problems with the film, not the least of which is its being compared with the stellar original. Also, while watching the Jackal prepare for his job, you have to think to yourself "Is that really the best option available?" You would think a seasoned professional hitman would come up with something a little less complicated, and a little more efficient? Oh well, at least we get to see Jack Black suffer for a little while.
If you are into political thrillers, you may or may not like this. It really depends on your ability to suspend disbelief while watching. If you are into to shoot-em-up thrillers, you probably won't care for this often "talky" thriller. When the action does occur, it's done well, but for the most part the film is centered around planning, plotting and dialogue.
I enjoyed the flick, no it's not going to become a replayable favorite, but it is fun. The performances are all decent, and while the storyline isn't watertight, it's passable. If nothing else, it might be worth popping onto your Netflix account.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Bruce Willis rocks!!
Added 9/5/2009
This film is essentially a modernized remake of the famous film (which was based on the famous novel) "The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth. It features modern day politics and, of course, modern day technology. What the film really features, however, is an excellent cast dominated by Bruce Willis, who turns in a superb performance. Instead of being a kind, sensitive type, as in "The Sixth Sense" once again Willis is a cold, brutal, and competent killer. He pulls it off brilliantly, and it is Willis' performance that carries the film. Sidney Portier and Richard Gere also turn in fine performances. Gere, in particular, manages to really come across as an Irishman--none of the phony-sounding accents that have grated on several otherwise good performances in other recent films. (Harrison Ford in "K19" comes immediately to mind).
Mostly the film moves at a good clip and holds the viewer's interest. The storyline, which retains many similarities to "The Day of the Jackal" rarely drags, and includes plenty of action. I enjoyed this film, and will watch it again. Recommended. RJB.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
It tries, and in the end it fails
Added 5/24/2009
The only good things about this movie are Bruce Willis, Sydney Poitier, and Jack Black. And that's about it; the rest of the movie is anything but special. It's an almost worthless movie if it weren't for the three actors mentioned above. The plot had some interesting elements, but what ruins the film are pretty much everything else. Richard Gere, especially, turns out to be quite annoying and incredibly dull. The chemistry between him and Diane Verona's character didn't work at all. I almost felt like I skipping their scenes and focusing only on Willis.
The good editing, music, and cinematography turn out to be a waste in The Jackal. I should have watched the original 1973 film instead.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Credibility-Aside, It's A Fun Watch
Added 5/23/2009
Here is an almost-typical modern-day crime film in which a hired killer goes after a political figure and the FBI tries to stop him.
The cast of Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Diane Venora is first- class. All of them play interesting and likable characters - even the villain! Gere did a credible job with an Irish accent and Venora the same, playing a Russian. It was fun watch Willis with his various disguises. The story keeps your interest all the way. It does it right by not having too much action, but shocking and memorable when it does occur. If you have good speakers there is some great sound in the last 20 minutes. A good movie if you like suspense.
If I mention some of the "bad" stuff, it gives away the ending. Suffice to say you see a number of scenes where credibility goes out the window.
Overall, however, the film is definitely worth a look.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
