Der Schakal

Ein schwacher Versuch eines "pseudo-politischen" Thrillers, der an den berühmten Streifen Der Schakal erinnert, aber wirklich nur dem Namen nach. Der Plot ist so undicht wie ein Emmental, die Logik der Handlung ist nicht vorhanden, der Versuch, die Haupthandlung mit dem Motiv des persönlichen Kampfes des Schakals gegen einen ehemaligen Schützen der IRA (jetzt auf der Seite des Guten) anzureichern, klingt ebenso dumm und unglaubwürdig wie der Versuch, den Schakal zu einem Suspense-Thriller zu machen. Das Wichtigste - Raffinesse und Nachdenklichkeit - fällt in diesem Film in sich zusammen. Willis ist völlig fade, er spielt auf seine universell sterile "ein-Blick-reicht"-Art, Gere ist süß, aber diese Art von liebenswertem Terroristen... sorry... Die anderen Figuren sind wie wandelnde sprechende Schemen, allen voran der typische schwarze Positivheld Sidney Poitier. Das Ende bietet nur eine Handvoll Langeweile anstelle eines Dramas. Wenn Sie einen echten dämonischen Schakal wollen, dann brauchen Sie Edward Fox. Willis ist eine billige Attrappe ohne das Charisma einer jagenden Bestie. So ein knurrender Pudel. (01.02.2004)

Below-average action thriller, whose mediocrity stands out compared to Forsyth's literary source and excellent British-French production from the 70s. The screenplay is foolish, the acting performances are dull, and in the case of R Gere, even pathetic. The directorial approach resembles an attempt at parody, and the pinnacle of it all is the unethical elevation of a terrorist assassin into a role of a fighter against a colleague who fights not for ideals but for money. The artistic value is non-existent, and the craftsmanship is terrible. Overall rating 20%. (14.07.2006)

A fairly solid action ride, but in my opinion too predictable, with a typically Hollywood overdramatic ending. The charisma of the main actors is alright overall, and Richard Gere, in particular, is very cool this time. Bruce Willis's disguises didn't make much of an impression and, in my opinion, they are far from realistic. There isn't much action, but it is shot quite skillfully. However, Michael Caton-Jones clearly struggles to define the boundaries of the genre and mixes family ties into a pure espionage thriller, adding a heavy-handed action finale. The lack of balance is quite apparent, and as a result, the outcome is neither exciting nor thrilling. (28.04.2006)

A thriller that looks more like a two-hour commercial commissioned by the wig industry – there were just too many Willis identities. Otherwise? A wholly routine affair, with a man of one face and one grin (the classic wrinkled corner of the mouth, the so-called Bruce's sly grin) and an IRA terrorist character in a bland and dull performance by Gere, who is presented as a basically good guy who lost a kid, a fair guy smarter than the entire FBI. I mean, in terms of form and story, there is nothing groundbreaking, but as a last resort to fill one boring evening....why not. (28.06.2005)