The Jackal (Film Review Only). =============================
Terek Murad of the Russian mafia hires the worlds most famous and illusive hit man `The Jackal` to kill a top US government official in revenge for his Brother Ghazzi Murad's death at the hand of the F.B.I and Russian intelligence agents.
The Storyline. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The F.B.I at the US Embassy in Russia are working with the Russia Intelligence Agency to arrest Ghazzi Murad, when suddenly things go wrong an Major Valentina Koslova shots Ghazzi Murad when he attempts to attack her and FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier). Ghazzi Murad's Brother Terek Murad of the Russian mafia is furious and wants revenge so he hires the greatest assassin in history `The Jackal` (Bruce Willis) to assassinate a top US Government Official. When Preston (Sidney Poitier) gets word of the plan, he and Major Koslova have to try to find a way to stop him, but how. They have to take a huge risk and release an imprisoned I.R.A underground Operative Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) to help them, as he is the only person who actually knows what this elusive assassin looks like. Declan Mulqueen soon ends up seeking revenge of his own from `The Jackal`
during the action packed pursuit. Deputy Director Carter Preston is constantly concerned if he is taking the correct approach in hiring a criminal to catch a killer, but have they got the correct target of `The Jackal`, Do they manage to stop the assassination or does Declan get his revenge. You will have to watch to find out.
Director. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The director Michael Caton-Jones seems to do a fair job of making the American version of the `Best selling novel` Day of the Jackal. Sadly this version is very different from the earlier film adaptation staring Edward Fox `Day of the Jackal`. It is quite sad really when you think he has managed to direct great films like `Doc Hollywood`, Memphis Belle` and `City by the Sea`. The directing of this film from him seems to lack any elegance and style as you would expect from a director of his quality.
The Acting / My Opinion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my opinion, Brice Willis pulls of a barely acceptable performance of a bad guy in this film. Considering he supposed to be portraying The Worlds most famous assassin it is easy from this performance to see why he normal has the acting roles of the good guy / hero. His hit man performance lacks a great deal of panache and if his character portray is anything to go by he could not kill a fly let alone be an assassin with over 20 years experience. Richard Gere does however give us a very good performance as the I.R.A underground operative Declan Mulqueen in this film, although his attempt at pulling of an Irish accent leaves a lot to be desired. Sidney Poitier yet again gives us an unmistakable and exceptional performance in his portrayal of the F.B.I Deputy Director Carter Preston, always showing those great characteristics and that amazing voice that we all have the pleasure of being indulged with so many times before. He has no problems at all in breathing true belief into his character in this film. It is lucky really that they chose to cast him in this film, as they need something to take off the drab and dull performance of Diana Venora as Major Valantina Koslova. In my opinion, she has proved me right yet again in this film in my opinion of her acting ability in saying she could not act her way out of a wet paper bag. We do get the treat of a small performance from Jack Black in this movie, however it is only a very small character role more is the pity. He actually does his film character a great justice and I just wish we had got to see more of him.
Summary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In my own opinion I think the film is a very good film with and explosive and extremely interesting storyline, but it is let down badly but some of the actors performances and some of the effects of the film. It is well worth a watch and a definite for all to go on there must see list, however do not be over expectant of some of the actors performances. It astounds me how they can hire three huge actors in the form of Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sidney Poitier and then cannot even be bothered to make it less obvious that some of the backgrounds in the film are obviously large screen images behind the actors.
Technical Information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAST:- -------------- The Jackal Bruce Willis Declan Mulqueen Richard Gere Deputy Director Carter Preston Sidney Poitier Major Valentina Koslova Diana Venora Isabella Zanconia Mathila May T.I Witherspoon F.B.I J.K. Simmons McMurphy F.B.I Richard Lineback F.B.I Director Donald Brown John Cunningham Ian Lamont Jack Black The First Lady Tess Harper Woolburton Leslie Phillips Douglas Stephan Spinella
Other Info ------------------------- Director Michael Caton-Jones Certificate 18 years and over Year 1997 Screen Widescreen 2:35.1 Anamorphic Languages English - Dolby Digital (5.1) Additional Languages Italian ; Spanish (Dolby Stereo) Subtitles Bulgarian ; Czech ; Danish ; Dutch ; English ; Finnish ; Greek ; Hungarian ; Norwegian ; Polish ; Portuguese ; Swedish ; Turkish Duration 1 hour and 59 minutes (approx)
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Bruce Willis `The Jackal`
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and pit them opposite each other in a plot that's already been audience tested. That director Michael Caton Jones' film is based not on Frederick Forsyth's novel bu...
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Advantages: Good movie along with a well planned DVD containing lots of special features Disadvantages: Some slow moments during the middle of the movie
paddeh 17.01.2006 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Jackal (DVD)
Advantages: One of the most underrated action films, Gere suprisingly good, Willis in a class of his own Disadvantages: The finale was a bit of a let down, way too many action film cliches, a few plot holes, Jack Black
Crimsonflame 14.12.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The Jackal (DVD)
Advantages: One of the most underrated action films, Gere suprisingly good, Willis in a class of his own Disadvantages: The finale was a bit of a let down, way too many action film cliches, a few plot holes, Jack Black
Crimsonflame 14.12.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The Jackal (DVD)
Advantages: Good movie along with a well planned DVD containing lots of special features Disadvantages: Some slow moments during the middle of the movie
paddeh 17.01.2006 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Jackal (DVD)
Advantages: Collects three titles that you should never watch in one handy package Disadvantages: Watching these movies could be damaging for your credibility
![The Jackal [DVD] [1998]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78520695.jpg "The Jackal [DVD] [1998]")
Sep 3rd, 2006
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