Hunted (Widescreen) [Import]

I loved "The Hunted." I thought that it was a brilliant, suspenseful, excellant action film. It was bloody, but not nearly as bloody as "Kill Bill Volume One." I liked the way the killer killed. He used his hunting knife, and during the film, as a viewer, I could feel the way the future victiums felt. They didn't know that they were about to be killed, but they were scared. The two stars in "The Hunted" are Tommy Lee Jones and Benecio del Toro, and they were perfect in their roles.

When the film begins we meet Aaron Hallam, who is a soldier in a war battle in Kosovo. He witnesses explosions, burning buildings, and people shooting each other. Finally he stabs somebody in the throat, and we flash to a different scene. We then meet L.T. Bonham(Tommy Lee Jones) who is a retired military trainer. He is called back into action when a former trainee of his-Aaron Hallam-goes on a murder spree in Oregon. During his battle in Kosovo, he finally snapped, and becomes the very dangerous killer of four men. L.T. arrives at the lastest murder scene in the woods. He meets Abby Durrell, the agent working on the case, and he sees dozens of other agents looking around the scene of the crime. He likes working alone, and meets him in the woods, while looking around. He brings Aaron back with him, but while being transported to another location, he somehow mananges to escape. When L.T finds out about that he become determined to find him or kill him, because he is still very dangerous. Turns out, Aaron went to see his ex-girlfriend Irene Kravitz, and her daughter Loretta, Aaron and L.T. ensure a cat and mouse game, with either one of them being the cat or the mouse.

A main reason who I loved "The Hunted" so much was because it was a fun cat and mouse chase. The ending was also surprising, because whatever happened at the end, I thought that it was going to happen the other way. I didn't think that it would stick to formula, but it did. Kudos to Tommy Lee Jones. He once again mananges to give a great performance, and Benecio del Toro I don't really like, but he also mananged to be good in this film. It is not a film for everybody. It does have some very bloody scenes, especially the knife fight towards the end, but overall the film works very well. I only wish that I didn't miss this in the theatre. It would probally have been much better there.

ENJOY!

Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language.

The Hunted(released Mar/03)is a mediocre flick that has much in common in its dynamic with The Deer Hunter & Rambo.It's a PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) flick that soon leaves one looking at the watch and wondering when it's going to end(watch watching is NEVER a good sign).The direction here by Friedkin is pedestrian at best and he just doesn't pique our interest long enough to keep us and hold on to us.
The film opens with a flashback to Kosovo in the late 90s.A village is getting razed to the ground and its inhabitants shot.A US special force is on the ground and is going after its leader. Aaron Hallam(Benicio Del Toro)is one of those members and he completes his objective.Back stateside he cannot forget the horrific images burned into his mind and he becomes a recluse.
Fast forward to Oregon a few years later and two deer hunters are out in the woods.It appears,however,they are there for more than deer as they find Hallam and it is not a reunion they are after.Soon after Hallam announces his presence to them they start shooting at him.He takes them out viciously and soon a manhunt is on for Hallam.
The special agency that Hallam was originally a part of recruits Hallam's former teacher one LT Bonham(Tommy Lee Jones).Bonham is an extraordinary tracker and within a short time he has his man.Bonham asked to do his job alone but the FBI follows him and assists in Hallam's take down.
While under interrogation some high level government agents show up and claim Hallam for their own.During transport Hallam manages to escape and Bonham is called back in to assist in the search.They almost get him in an underground construction site but he eludes them and lands at his ex wife's house.There Bonham follows and finds him sitting in an upstairs room.It's a quick visit as Hallam again escapes into a wooded area where Bonham tracks him down,for the final time.It's a fight to the finish against teacher Bonham and student Hallam.Both get in some good licks but in the end the outcome is inevitable.Bonham retires back to his home in BC,and is seen burning the letters Hallam had sent him long before.
Once Halllam is caught the first time(within a half hour of the films opening)there is not much of another place or twist they can add on or go to that would make this film more interesting.Bonham is just such a good tracker that finding his former student within a short time is inevitable,no matter where Hallam may want to go;which leaves no mystery there.Hallam is suffering from PTSD and we have certainly seen that in a myriad of movies over the years,so again nothing new.Secret government agencies and operations,cover ups,usurping of local authorities,again this is old hat and given the less than stellar direction and script it turns quickly into a bore.Del Toro and Jones are good in their respective roles but not good enough to overcome the many filmic stumbling blocks they are presented with on a constant basis.
Technically speaking the film is clear and crisp in its w/s a/r.Extras include four featurettes,deleted scenes and the trailer.
Overall a disappointing film with some good actors who have nowhere to go.It is passable,but just.2 1/2 - 3 stars.

the basic premise of this film is this: a trained special forces
assassin who has gone AWOL from duty,begins killing hunters in backwood
Oregon.the only man who may be able to stop is the man who trained
him.and so the hunt is on.Benecio Del Torro is Aaron Hallam,the
hunted,while Tommy Lee Jones is L.T Bonham,the Hunter.i should mention
right away,that this movie has some very graphic and bloody
violence,including scenes of war at the very beginning.both Jones and
Del Toro are good in their roles.there is a lot of action and the fight
scenes i thought were phenomenal,no flashy camera tricks,just well
choreographed fighting.and,i have to admit that the director,William
Friedkin made a pretty good movie here.i have not been a fan of
Friedkin for some time,having seen a few of his other films.however,he
surprised and impressed me here,so i give him give him credit for that.
4/5