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Regular
Price $9.99
Starring:
Steve Bassett,
Jack Black,
Maggie Castle,
John Cunningham,
Richard Gere,
Directed By:
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 1997-11-14
Studio: Universal Studios
Format:
Anamorphic,
Closed-captioned,
Color,
Dolby,
DTS Surround Sound,
DVD-Video,
Widescreen,
NTSC,
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Customer Reviews for
The Jackal - DTS
I love this movie!
I think this is a really great movie. I like it because it was nice to see Bruce Willis play a "bad" guy for a change instead of the down on his luck alcoholic loser (think Die Hard - which I also love). Besides, in one of his "disguises" he has a mustache and a decent hair cut which I think makes him look really really good. Richard Gere has a believable accent and is decent. Sidney Poitier is not used as much as he could/should be but he has a strong performance as well. I think the action, plot and timing of the movie are well done. The only part that I don't like is when Bruce kisses another man. That was kind of icky to me. Overall though, I think it's a really good movie and really like the chemistry between Bruce and Richard.The Jackal - DTS
Oops! This Is NOT About The Real Terrorist--Carlos The Jackal--But Is An All-Star Casted Fictional Drama
I mistakingly purchased "The Jackal" because, based on the title, I thought it was going to be about the actual terrorist--yes, folks terrorism existed before 9/11--Carlos the Jackal (aka, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez) who baffled law enforcement agencies around the world from 1970 until August 14, 1994, when he was handed over to French agents of the DST by his doctors and flown to Paris. Carlos the Jackal's ability to avoid capture was allegedly due to cosmetic surgeries and elaborate costumes. So, when I saw this film, and that Richard Gere, Bruce Willis, and Sidney Poitier were in the film, I figured it had to be good. I was basically let down. Part of the problem, I suspect derives from the fact that the movie is really two stories that collide at the end of the movie. As such, Willis never really has a chance to play off of Gere or Poitier. Secondly, the first part of the movie is poorly edited, so the critical aspects for developing the character of "The Jackal" (which seems to be thinly based on the real person) seem tedious and "time consuming."
The primary strength of "The Jackal" is Richard Gere's performace; but then his character, a former Irish Republican Army sniper named Declan Joseph Mulqueen, is motivated to get the Jackal so he can obtain his freedom. While I can say that I will most likely watch "The Jackal" again--unlike some movies I've unfortunately purchased--because of the cast and somewhat decent drama, I am glad I paid only $5.00 for my copy.
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.The Jackal - DTS
Great Actors, Superior Plot but Falls Short in Delivery
Director Michael Caton-Jones has created a good dramatic and suspense filled film with outstanding actors and a riveting, masterful plot. Bruce Willis plays the lead role as the "Jackal" a cold and calculating assassin. Sidney Poitier is superbly cast as the FBI Deputy Director. Richard Gere plays Declan Mulqueen, an IRA. terrorist, imprisoned in the USA. Diane Venora is cast as the Russian Interpol agent, Valentina Kostova. Scenes were filmed in many locations in Europe, primarily Helsinki, Finland which also served to represent Moscow, and London, England; Montreal, Canada; Chicago, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Essentially, the FBI and Russian agents managed to kill a Chechnyan mobster. Unfortunately, his brother is out for revenge and hires the Jackal to assassinate a top US official ... Initially, they believe the target is the Director of the FBI. However, as time evolves, Declan Mulqueen discovers who the real target is.
Bruce Willis is chilling and real in his role as the Jackal. He engages in multiple disguises and identities throughout the film to achieve his goals. He manages to get a computer guided high tech weapon built and smuggled into the United States undetected. He gains entry into the US via a power boat over the Lakes from Canada to Lake Michigan and there he joins a boat race in Chicago by blending in. The FBI gets permission to spring Declan Mulqueen out of jail ... in order to get his help to identify and apprehend the Jackal. He makes a deal to win his freedom, then joins in the chase to catch the Jackal.
It turns out the Jackal has another murder in mind along with accomplishing the task for which he was hired. The Jackal has an old score to settle with Isabella, a woman from his past who can identify him. She survived his attempt to kill her. She was a Spanish terrorist of Basque origins who worked with Declan Mulqueen many years ago. They had been lovers and she was pregnant with his child when the Jackal shot her ... It seems Declan Mulqueen also has a score to settle with the Jackal. While the plot is well developed, the film drags on a bit, as much of the film involves chasing the Jackal while he deviously manages to avoid detection, When he gets closer to his target and the deadline ... the film picks up speed and the story becomes more fascinating and complex. The ending is exciting and satisfying. Some feel the film made in 1973, "Day of the Jackal" upon which this film is based, is superior. Never having seen the former, I can only judge this film. Overall, this could have been a *more* exciting film given the action, drama, and well layed out plot but too much time is wasted in the big chase which makes one feel the film is much longer than it should be. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]
The Jackal - DTS
A Rather Intense Thriller
Bruce Willis as a bad guy? Yuppers! Bruce drops his, "Die Hard" hero hat and becomes a totally cold-hearted hitman known as, "The Jackal". Bruce is a really creepy, cunning assassin that few people have ever seen and live to tell about it. Richard Gere, playing an former IRA terrorist who is now in prison, is one of those rare people who can recognize the Jackal. He cuts a deal with the FBI to help find the Jackal before he kills an important, unknown ( so far ) target. Jack Black also stars as a techno-geek with great weapon building skills who meets a rather grisly end at the Jackal's hands. This movie had me guessing continuously as to who was the Jackal's target, ( I was way off when I found out ) and the action and suspense had me hooked. I enjoyed it very much.The Jackal - DTS
Loved it
Once I got over gere's ridiculous attempt at an Irish accent, the movie was excellent.
Great plot, great acting..even by gere.....all star cast.....nice twists.....great action.....a surprise conclusion not many see coming that makes the movie that much better.
Worth 4.5 stars...maybe 5, but I am stingy with my stars
If items can be rated overall with half stars due to the average overall vote, they should allow us to rate with half stars instead of single stars only.....The Jackal - DTS
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