The Jackal (1997)

Very disappointed :(

Sadly Over-hyped

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Blistering performances.

"Declan Mulqueen" (Richard Gere) is a terrorist for the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who is serving time in a maximum security prison in Massachusetts. That all changes one day when a Russian mob boss hires an infamous assassin known as "The Jackal" to kill a very important person in the United States in retaliation for their killing his brother a few days earlier. The problem for the FBI is that they don't know who his target is or what the assassin looks like. All they know is that the Jackal has been hired to carry out an assassination on somebody very important. So in desperation they ask Decklin to help them convince his former girlfriend "Isabella Zancona" (Mathilda May) who previously worked with a Basque Seperatist group known as the ETA and can recognize the Jackal on sight. Upon talking to him, however, they also learn that Declan knows what the Jackal looks like as well and this gives them even more reason to work with him. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I found this film to be rather entertaining. At least for the most part. Having said that, I must also admit that there were several ridiculous scenarios thrown in which were difficult to take seriously. For example, there is no way that an IRA sniper would be given a firearm in any situation or allowed the wide range of mobility he was granted. Especially in the close proximity of the "First Lady of the United States" (played by Tess Harper). But that's Hollywood for you. In any case, this film has enough intrigue, mystery and suspense to be somewhat entertaining and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Disclaimer: If you are a viewer that mainly prefers art-house-type movies, then you might as well ignore this review. In addition, if you're not able to take a an action political thriller movies, ignore this review, as well. We'll both be better off.The Jackal (1997) is one of the best political action thriller movies I have ever seen. It is entertaining enough and worth seeing on it's own. It is million times way better than the movies that are made today. The gory violence of "The Jackal" is a big "screw you" to PG-13 thriller movies. The movie is very enjoyable it has everything in it. The acting in this movie is very realistic and superb. The action is non stop and intense and delivers on a good way. Bruce Willis did outstanding acting performance of the character Jackal. He acted the role perfectly and very believable realistic. He was cold ruthless man with thousand names and thousand faces and mystery disguise. He killed anyone who figure it out his true identity or was suspecting him. He used a lot of guns and weapons. This movie made from the book was brilliant and intense packed so that the viewer is hooked up on the edge of a seat and keeps guessing what will happened next. This is the first time I saw Bruce Willis playing a villain in the movie and did gave us superb acting performance. He did in this film a masterful performance ever.The acting in this movie is very realistic and phenomenal and I mean from everyone who played in here. This movie delivers a surprising top notch entertaining with a potent story and some good twists that help to live up expectations. This is Michael Caton-Jones's best movie to date and that he ever made. The director did an outstanding direction debut and knew what he was doing. Richard Gere as Declan Mulqueen an Irish Republican Army sniper who was locked and imprisoned in maximum security did and outstanding job helping the FBI and Russian Police tracking down an intelligent and genius assassin down. Richard Gere was very convincing in his role as an Irish, his ascent was more British than American. Even for American his ascent was convincing. I thought that Richard Gere could have been the next James Bond 007 not that we have Daniel Craig in it.This is Sidney Poitier's final film appearance to date. I think he acted convincing and it was his best performance I have ever seen! Sidney Poiter played three times an FBI agent that I counted. Twice in a year 1988 Shoot To Kill and Little Nikita and the third time in this movie in the year 1997. I don't count other movies he played in the 70's. I am glad that he is still alive. The last actress I wanna say that I love in here is Diane Venora as Major Valentina Koslova, MVD. This was her last and I mean last acting debut of her role of a tough woman. I never saw her in any other roles like are that now, she even wear a scars on her face, It was outstanding. I only wish that Diane Venora would get more roles like is this one. She was awesome and I loved her, the death scene was really amazing no one could acted better.With these players set in motion, it's up to the script to deliver the real substance of the movie. (One often sees great performances in mediocre films... here the story transcends the performances -- an impressive feat.) The script delivers. The action scenes were incredible and very fantastic. The shout out scenes are incredible and outstanding executed. Even Jack Black has a small role in it. The most awesome scene that I have in mind is the helicopter when US Marine sniper Akashi (Daniel Dae Kim) gives the rifle Heckler & Koch SR(TC) to Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), who uses the rifle to shoot the scope off of The Jackal's (Bruce Willis) automated machine gun. Akashi then uses the rifle to shoot the gas tank and ignite the fuel, blowing up the SUV housing the gun. That scene was realistic I am pretty sure that Richard Gere had a lot of practice with the riffle, before he was in front the camera shooting with the riffle in the film.The face off between The Jackal (Bruce Willis) and Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) was phenomenal! It was so realistic acting performance that I seriously believe it and I was convinced that the acting is and the story evolves in realistic world. I'm not sure what else would you want in a movie like this? Probably moral content, the movie portrayed and executed perfectly the book. I have very enjoyed this movie from beginning till the end it is my favorite best action thriller ever. I am giving it 10/10.The Jackal is the 1997 action thriller starring Richard Gere as a former IRA sniper who is recruited by the FBI to track down a professional assassin known as "The Jackal" (Bruce Willis), who has been hired by a Russian mobster to eliminate a major American political figure. The film is a loose remake of the 1973 thriller The Day of the Jackal./: That is the basic plot and I think this movie deserved to bashed or hated for. It is much better than the new movies are today!!!10/10 Score: A+ Studio: Mutual Film Company Alphaville Films, Universal Pictures Starring: Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, Diane Venora, Mathilda May, Jack Black Director: Michael Caton-Jones Screenplay: Chuck Pfarrer Story by Chuck Pfarrer Based on The Day of the Jackal by Kenneth Ross Producers: James Jacks, Sean Daniel, Michael Caton-Jones, Kevin Jarre Rated: R Running Time: 2 Hrs. 04 Mins. Budget: $60.000.000 Box Office: $159,330,280

This is a remake of an earlier film: "The day of the Jackal," which was far more believable and intense. The weapon used in the 1st film was very small and deadly, yet could be hidden very easily. In the 2nd film, the weapon in question looks like it belongs on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle! Also in the 1st film the detective solves the case; here we have An imprisoned Irish terrorist teaching a highly experienced FBI agent his job! A really "badly written" scene was where the 3 FBI agents have moved a family out of their house and the FBI folks are "cleaning up.(?) You actually have an FBI agent taking out the garbage! Trust me, agents don't have the time for this. Also, as soon as they noticed the 1st agent was missing and probably dead, they would have vacated the house and called for back-up! They should have also cut the speaker wires on the sound system that the Jackal was using to distract them! Yes, entertaining, but no where as good as the original...and remember that "lethal spray" that Willis used on his van to kill a "hijacker?" Nobody knows what it was. Well I'll tell you: it was "Anti-credibility spray" that destroys all credibility in any film that it's in...hooray for Hollywood!

Not sure why this movie seems so low rated, it's well worth a view ! It's fast paced with a number of strong actors and characters portrait very well by them. Maybe the story is not entirely believable, it seems that some leads are obtained a bit too easy, but does that matter? It's just great, action packed, clever, and if you like crime it should keep you on the edge of your chair. No, it's not like the original but I don't think the makers set out to do this. It would have been a crime to do that actually as the original is in it's own an excellent movie and remakes are most of the time disappointing. Go watch it, buy the DVD!