The Jackal (1997)

   

In Moscow, after FBI deputy director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) and scarred Russian intelligence officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora) bring down a key figure in the Russian Mafia, they are threatened by the criminal's powerful brother who swears vengeance on the FBI and immediately hires a professional assassin, the Jackal (Bruce Willis) to kill a leading American political figure. A master of disguises, the Jackal believes in total perfectionism and demands $70 million for the job. The FBI suspects the Jackal is aiming for the FBI director, so they consult with former Basque terrorist Isabella (Mathilda May), in Virginia, and Isabella's former lover, IRA operative Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), serving a prison sentence. Promised leniency, Mulqueen agrees to help. Meanwhile, the Jackal prepares false passports, secures a customized computer system to run his Gatling gun, and heads toward his target in Washington, D.C.

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Review By Adam Goldberg

The Jackal may be loosely based on the 1973 thriller The Day of the Jackal, but there is no doubt that the original is the superior version. Frederick Zinnemann's '70s thriller is a gritty, documentary-style suspense film, while this 1997 version seems like a platform to display chases, pyrotechnics, and shootouts. Like many big-budget Hollywood action-adventures of the late '90s, The Jackal is riddled with plot holes and contrivances, but still manages to remain somewhat entertaining throughout. Written by Chuck Pfarrer (#Darkman), this high-tech remake uses the 1973 film as a starting point and transfers it to an American locale. Even though it's a blatant formula film with an inflated budget, the stylish and fast-paced direction of Michael Caton-Jones does elevate the familiar material. Bruce Willis gives a solid performance, approaching his role with the sedate poise of a relentless killer. However, it is disappointing that one can instantly recognize Willis no matter how many "elaborate" disguises he adopts. Ultimately, his character becomes nothing more than a stock villain that could be inserted into any high-octane Hollywood thriller. Even though the '90s version of The Jackal will satisfy action junkies, it still lacks intelligence and originality, and those looking for a memorable moviegoing experience should definitely choose the Zinnemann classic instead.