The Jackal (1997) Movie Information:

The Jackal (1997) Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones The Jackal (1997) Written by: Kenneth Ross, Chuck Pfarrer, James Ellroy The Jackal (1997) Cast: Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, Diane Venora, Mathilda May, J Simmons, Richard Lineback, John Cunningham, Jack Black, Tess Harper

The Jackal (1997) U.S. Distributor: Universal Pictures The Jackal (1997) U.K. Distributor: UIP

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The Jackal (1997) Synopsis:

The FBI's Deputy Director must stop the Jackal, a ruthless professional killer, before he makes his next assassination. He teams up with a female Russian officer and an imprisoned IRA terrorist in a global race against the clock to stop the Jackal before he strikes.

The Jackal (1997) Movie Review:

As cop thrillers go, this film is better than average but it carries some heavy flaws.

The film was slick and well made, it looked good though lacking art. The acting was as good as you would expect from Gere and Willis and the script was sharp.

So what was wrong with this film?

The characterisation was too formulaic. Richard Gere was playing an Irish terrorist. A man who had seen active service with one of the most sophisticated and ruthless terrorist organisations ever seen. Yet, his character is portrayed as a light hearted folk hero.

At the same time, Bruce Willis, the Jackal is the most feared and skillful assassin on the planet and yet he cannot stick to his job. He has to go out of his way to bait the cops and leave clues as to his intentions.

If Gere's Declan Mulqueen is unlikely, Willis' Jackal is simply impossible. OK, deranged psychopaths may taunt their Police pursuers but the worlds smartest assassin? I think not.

I thought that some of the violence in the film was unnecessary for the plot. I always feel it's a shame if a director feels the need to try to extend the appeal of a film in this way.

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The Jackal (1997) review written by: JPOC