This agent (now known as Mighty Mouse) didn't exactly care for THE JACKAL that much. There are SPOILERS in the review, and you should also take into consideration the following. Most of the reviews I have received were negative, but there were a couple of positives. Who knows, maybe you'll be one of the positives. Now I personally have a real affinity for BRUCE movies and can't wait to see his bad guy, but this is at least a little warning, just in case...
Harry-just a note on "The Jackal" the new Bruce Willis/Richard Gere vehicle. Went to a benefit last night with a preview of the film here in Austin at the Paramount. Not sure exactly what the buzz is on this movie but I was at least interested when I saw the preview for the film before "Gattaca" a couple of weeks ago.
The plot: Russian gangster is killed by joint Russian militia and FBI operation and his brother contracts with Bruce Willis, assassin extraordinare (aka "the Jackal"), to get even with the West by killing a visible public figure. FBI and militia get wind of this plot and must turn to jailed IRA terrorist Richard Gere, one of the few in the world with info on the Jackal, to stop the assassination. The opening sequence was interesting-a montage of black and white images of the opening of the Iron Curtain and the ensuing gang violence which is apparently infesting Russia. However, the film rapidly loses steam. It is formulaic and dull--each actor seemed disconnected there was no emotional link established with any other player. The Jackal is simply an automaton, no backstory on who he is or why he does what he does--he simply flies from one place to another while changing disguises like a humorless "Fletch." Bruce Willis has many disguises but only one expression (pursed lips, squinty lips) and only a dozen or so lines of dialogue. Richard Gere is ineffectual and listless as the jailed IRA hitman--after the first few minutes of his performance I only listened to him to determine whether he would maintain his Irish accent during the scene.
The Russian major was one dimensional and her accent distracting. Sidney Poitier (sp?) was wasted lead agent from the FBI. Bottom line--wait for the dollar movie.
