The Jackal (1997)

The Jackal (1997) – An imprisoned Irish Republican Army member (Richard Gere) is freed to stop a nameless assassin, known only as the “Jackal” (Bruce Willis) who is targeting a high-level U.S. official.

Directed by Michale Caton-Jones                   Starring Richard Gere, Bruce Willis, Sidney Poitier

You may think you are getting “The Day of the Jackal” with this movie.  You’re not.  While loosely based on the vastly superior 1973 movie (based on the Fredrick Forsythe novel of the same name), this doesn’t come anywhere near the level of the original.

I can see why the studio was excited about the idea.  The first movie was a critical and box office hit.  This one would star a variety of top name stars (Willis, Gere, Poitier) who would be supported by some pretty good actors (J.K. Simmons, Jack Black, Tess Harper).  A political thriller remake looked like a winner.

And it just isn’t.  Gere’s “Irish” accent is awful.  Willis looks like he has something painful stuck in his digestive track.  Poitier doesn’t seem to have an idea what to do as the Director of the F.B.I., he just seems lost in the character.  Jack Black is actually interesting as the gunsmith who creates the high-tech rifle the assassin will use, but his part doesn’t stick around long.  There are a couple of action scenes that aren’t too bad as well.  The problem is everything else.  All the connecting pieces are illogical and disjointed.  Since it’s Gere’s role to hold the story together, his total failure to carry off the IRA hard man role just kills the movie from the start.

While there’s a certain train wreck appeal to the movie, do yourself a favor, and watch “The Day of the Jackal” instead.  Or if you feel compelled to watch them both, watch this one first.  You’ll truly appreciate the quality of the 1974 movie that way.

Why You Will Like It – Looking for mindless entertainment on a rainy afternoon?  This is it.

Rating – ** 1/2 Almost Worth A Look