The Fugitive review by Da Bonghit

Plot Summary
   Loosely based on the 1960's Television Series of the same name. Wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) escapes from a prison bus and searches for the who's and why's behind his wife's death. Closely pursued by U.S. Marshal Deputy Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), Kimble uses his keen intellect and determination to elude both Chicago Police and U.S. Marshals. While Kimble pieces together the facts and closes in on the real killer, Gerard slowly comes to realize that the original case might not be as clear cut as he first believed.

DVD Features
   This movie came with no extras. With Widescreen, Subtitles and Dolby Digital Sound being pretty basic features anymore; I'd say None.

Analysis
   I'm willing to say that The Fugitive is the best Film Adaptation of a Television series. Yes, better than Batman. Even better than The Brady Bunch. It brings everything to the table that the Action/Adventure movies should: Suspense, Drama, Action and a hint of Believability. It makes sense that this man could fall through the cracks of the legal system. There's a murder, they don't have anything else. Bring him in. Sure a few parts of the movie are a bit 'out there'; the Dam scene, the Train scene. But this doesn't hurt it.
   Harrison Ford's obviously innocent character, Dr. Richard Kimble, is played extremely well. His determination to find and expose the truth keeps us chomping at the bit. Kimble's ingenuity and intellect is challenged only by Deputy Gerard (Lee). Lee's performance is just as beleivable as Ford's; the crafty U.S. Marshal using all the means at his disposal to find the fugitive.
   We know that Kimble and Gerard are basically on the the same side, so let's look at the Bad guys for a moment. Casting Andreas Katsulas as Frederick Sykes was pretty much perfect. He has the look of someone who has something to hide and is unknown enough not to steal any limelight from Ford and Lee. Sykes' employer for the crime, Dr. Charles Nichols (Jeroen Krabbe) was done equally well. He nailed the part of the self-important doctor talking down to the lowly Marshals with his European (or something) accent. As he starts to fall apart, thinking that Kimble is onto him, he starts to stutter a bit; showing uneasiness. Nice work.
   The Fugitive is knee deep in talent. Even the smaller roles brought some sizable names: Sela Ward's role, Helen Kimble, may have been short lived, but she adds a little Sassiness; Joe(y) 'Pants' Pantoliano plays U.S. Marshal Cosmo Renfro, the 'second in command' under Gerard; Julianne Moore, Dr. Anne Eastman, is a collegue of Kimble's. It's all there.

Final Thoughts
   For me, this is the perfect formula for an action movie. Things aren't blowing up every ten minutes, there isn't a long shootout. Its driven with suspense and it draws you in. The movie is set up with lines that my friends still shout out at parties. Likable characters and a solid plot bring this one home.

   Rent it or buy it, its well worth the time and money.


9 out of 10 Jackasses
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