My posting a review of The Hunted is in direct contradiction of my beliefs about this film, but so is anyone reading it, so it's a moot point.
I saw The Hunted last night, a spontaneous hire at my local video store based on the premise, actors, director, and director of photography.
The Hunted smacks of The Fugitive, with vast echoes in the form of the presence of Tommy Lee Jones - who seems to be unofficially playing the same character - and a daring escape by the 'title' character, jumping from a high point to seeming certain death in the form of imposing water.
There are bountiful references to other films also. Predator, First Blood, and Apocalypse Now all spring to mind. Indeed, the film could be thought of as being a scenario on what might have happened to Capt. Willard from Apocalypse Now after he returned home after Viet Nam. Another connection is that The Hunted DP, Caleb Deschanel, served as insert DP on Apocalypse Now.
Early on, a payoff is set up when the filmmakers go to a small amount of trouble to show the audience that Tommy Lee Jones is afraid of heights. One of those moments where the viewer thinks 'that's gonna pay off later', it is never paid off, despite Jones being caught in some tall situations as the story progresses.
But I liked the film. Also worth noting is that I saw it having known absolutely nothing about it coming in. I have noticed a trend in my tastes where I seem to be drawn to films featuring deeply-flawed characters who nonetheless remain extremely capable. Think of John Anderton in Minority Report, Agent Sands in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and even Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, and you begin to get the point. Well, The Hunted features two such characters, and they are in direct competition. I always liked films featuring worthy adversaries, and The Hunted rates highly in this department. The scenes in the city where Jones attempts to track del Toro play this well, with del Toro trained to vanish, stalked by Jones, trained to see.
The Hunted also features a subtle and effective score by Brian Tyler, and excellent photography by Caleb Deschanel, with more than a slight nod to the aforementioned Apocalypse Now. Jones is good, even if the audience does feel they have 'seen it all before' from Jones. But to his credit, Jones is very physical in his performance, and gives his all. Del Toro is also good, playing a character murky of motivation, and damaged of psyche.
In closing, I will say I see the film for the hugely derivative vehicle it is, but I liked it anyway, mostly because of the visuals and the physicality of the performances.
Not recommended, unless you can look past the similarities to other films. Or see it knowing nothing about it, like I did. But if you've read this, that is now impossible :)
I saw The Hunted last night, a spontaneous hire at my local video store based on the premise, actors, director, and director of photography.
The Hunted smacks of The Fugitive, with vast echoes in the form of the presence of Tommy Lee Jones - who seems to be unofficially playing the same character - and a daring escape by the 'title' character, jumping from a high point to seeming certain death in the form of imposing water.
There are bountiful references to other films also. Predator, First Blood, and Apocalypse Now all spring to mind. Indeed, the film could be thought of as being a scenario on what might have happened to Capt. Willard from Apocalypse Now after he returned home after Viet Nam. Another connection is that The Hunted DP, Caleb Deschanel, served as insert DP on Apocalypse Now.
Early on, a payoff is set up when the filmmakers go to a small amount of trouble to show the audience that Tommy Lee Jones is afraid of heights. One of those moments where the viewer thinks 'that's gonna pay off later', it is never paid off, despite Jones being caught in some tall situations as the story progresses.
But I liked the film. Also worth noting is that I saw it having known absolutely nothing about it coming in. I have noticed a trend in my tastes where I seem to be drawn to films featuring deeply-flawed characters who nonetheless remain extremely capable. Think of John Anderton in Minority Report, Agent Sands in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and even Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, and you begin to get the point. Well, The Hunted features two such characters, and they are in direct competition. I always liked films featuring worthy adversaries, and The Hunted rates highly in this department. The scenes in the city where Jones attempts to track del Toro play this well, with del Toro trained to vanish, stalked by Jones, trained to see.
The Hunted also features a subtle and effective score by Brian Tyler, and excellent photography by Caleb Deschanel, with more than a slight nod to the aforementioned Apocalypse Now. Jones is good, even if the audience does feel they have 'seen it all before' from Jones. But to his credit, Jones is very physical in his performance, and gives his all. Del Toro is also good, playing a character murky of motivation, and damaged of psyche.
In closing, I will say I see the film for the hugely derivative vehicle it is, but I liked it anyway, mostly because of the visuals and the physicality of the performances.
Not recommended, unless you can look past the similarities to other films. Or see it knowing nothing about it, like I did. But if you've read this, that is now impossible :)