The Fugitive (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
In 'The Fugitive' (directed by Andrew Davis), wrongly accused, tried, & convicted of murdering his beautiful wife, Helen (Sela Ward), well respected Chicago surgeon, Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) cheats his death sentence by escaping from a terrific prison bus accident & tries to find out why she was so brutally murdered in their own home, & the identity of the real killer. Now on the run - and only 90 minutes after his prison bus plunged over an embankment - Richard is furiously pursued (as a fugitive) by Deputy Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), a U.S. Marshall, & is forced to stay away from any friends or family. Throughout the film, Richard runs, changes his appearance, makes up his own investigation to find the true killer (who's believed to be a mysterious one-armed man), & ingeniously lures Samuel Gerard & his team into it all, as well. But Richard comes to the horrifying realization that he can trust no one. Is Richard innocent? Does Samuel come to believe him by the end of it all?
THIS is what action movies are all about -- thumping, tense, nervy, sweaty-palmed chases. And yet, some of the best moments occur before the chase, & at the end. For instance, the 15 min. prologue (involving the murder & trial) is fantastic! We don't know much of Helen & Richard Kimble, but the insight we're given in those 1st short minutes allows us to understand a lot; so that by the time his sentence is read, we know what it means to him to be both presumed guilty, & to have lost his beloved wife. The next 1/2 hour is non-stop action; as Gerard tries to track Kimble down. But Kimble is smart, so his 'on the run' antics feel completely sensible & naturalistic (in most 'on the run' films, the guy running does stupid things that get him into trouble). Similarly smart are the lawmen on his tail.
Don't get me wrong, some contrivances enter the plot (chase). And our protagonists take blinds leaps of faith/intuition en route to figuring things out. But on the whole, it's all just so great to watch. No other way to say it. I was engrossed; & the film had a hold on me til the end. Technically, the cinematography is unique, the music is propulsive, & the editing is spectacular (in general, but especially during a train wreck, & then for an iconic waterfall jump). Tommy Lee Jones is excellent as the charismatic, energetic Sam Gerard; superb, really. He deserves awards for his performance (& that's saying something in a strong year for supporting turns). Ford is solid, too. It's just not an award caliber role. Overall, 'The Fugitive' is a great nail-biting action/adventure success; and it will probably be a juggernaut at the box office, as well.
THIS is what action movies are all about -- thumping, tense, nervy, sweaty-palmed chases. And yet, some of the best moments occur before the chase, & at the end. For instance, the 15 min. prologue (involving the murder & trial) is fantastic! We don't know much of Helen & Richard Kimble, but the insight we're given in those 1st short minutes allows us to understand a lot; so that by the time his sentence is read, we know what it means to him to be both presumed guilty, & to have lost his beloved wife. The next 1/2 hour is non-stop action; as Gerard tries to track Kimble down. But Kimble is smart, so his 'on the run' antics feel completely sensible & naturalistic (in most 'on the run' films, the guy running does stupid things that get him into trouble). Similarly smart are the lawmen on his tail.
Don't get me wrong, some contrivances enter the plot (chase). And our protagonists take blinds leaps of faith/intuition en route to figuring things out. But on the whole, it's all just so great to watch. No other way to say it. I was engrossed; & the film had a hold on me til the end. Technically, the cinematography is unique, the music is propulsive, & the editing is spectacular (in general, but especially during a train wreck, & then for an iconic waterfall jump). Tommy Lee Jones is excellent as the charismatic, energetic Sam Gerard; superb, really. He deserves awards for his performance (& that's saying something in a strong year for supporting turns). Ford is solid, too. It's just not an award caliber role. Overall, 'The Fugitive' is a great nail-biting action/adventure success; and it will probably be a juggernaut at the box office, as well.