I almost paid to see this movie when it first came out. I decided to wait five months for the video instead. It turned out to be one of the wisest decisions I've made.
This movie is by no means a masterpiece, but it's not a total piece of crud either. There's a lot to admire about it - the locations come to mind. From as far away as Moscow, Helsinki, and London, to stateside locales like D.C., Chicago, and even up north in Quebec, the movie takes you places. The performances are okay at best: Willis doesn't have much depth; he kills without hesitation and changes looks like a chameleon. Gere, gives a decent performance, despite an almost irritating accent. It was good to see Sidney Poitier onscreen; it would've been even better to see him do more (it was tight when he swooped down and saved the lady's life, I must admit). Diane Venora, who I admire despite an over-the-top turn as Lady Capulet in "Romeo & Juliet", gave probably the best performance as a hardened KGB officer.
The movie's other saving grace is the soundtrack, a great mix of industrial and electronic music from acts like Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, Goldie, Primal Scream, and LTJ Bukem.
I'd advise seeing Zimmerman's original 1973 "The Day of the Jackal" if you want an action thriller with depth and freshness. If you want a typical Hollywood escapism piece, try this one.
BTW, did any other D.C. area viewers notice the first part of the subway scene took place in a false Metro station? None of the stations in the area have "METRO" in big, black letters.
This movie is by no means a masterpiece, but it's not a total piece of crud either. There's a lot to admire about it - the locations come to mind. From as far away as Moscow, Helsinki, and London, to stateside locales like D.C., Chicago, and even up north in Quebec, the movie takes you places. The performances are okay at best: Willis doesn't have much depth; he kills without hesitation and changes looks like a chameleon. Gere, gives a decent performance, despite an almost irritating accent. It was good to see Sidney Poitier onscreen; it would've been even better to see him do more (it was tight when he swooped down and saved the lady's life, I must admit). Diane Venora, who I admire despite an over-the-top turn as Lady Capulet in "Romeo & Juliet", gave probably the best performance as a hardened KGB officer.
The movie's other saving grace is the soundtrack, a great mix of industrial and electronic music from acts like Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, Goldie, Primal Scream, and LTJ Bukem.
I'd advise seeing Zimmerman's original 1973 "The Day of the Jackal" if you want an action thriller with depth and freshness. If you want a typical Hollywood escapism piece, try this one.
BTW, did any other D.C. area viewers notice the first part of the subway scene took place in a false Metro station? None of the stations in the area have "METRO" in big, black letters.