A mediocre director. Screenwriters who write mostly action movies.
And yet this movie is fantastic! The acting, the pacing, the editing, and the amazing score.
Was it a fluke?
Well, your first statement is just your opinion, not fact, that these directors/writers are mediocre. Just because you say it doesn't make it true.
It is a griping story and the writing, pacing, timing of the story is just done superbly. Whoever worked on this film just got it right. The homerun of the entire movie comes down to the wonderful acting of Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. These two make the film. This is one of Tommy Lee's best performances.
Deutschland hat die Weltmeisterschaft zum vierten Mal gewonnen! ๐ฉ๐ช๐บ๐ธ
I don't recall saying it was a fact. I just stated what i thought of him. Feel free to agree or disagree instead of lecturing on the difference between fact and opinion. If you think the director of Chain Reaction, Above the Law and Under Siege is a GREAT director, just say so. :)
Of course, Jones was great. He got an Oscar for it. The other actors, as well, seemed to step up to their roles, no matter how small (except for the villain's accent).
But the pacing especially. The music was spot on, both perfect for an action movie and evocative of Chicago if you live there. The editing. I can't say enough about this old movie.
The villains accent is actually how actor Jeroen Krabbe really speaks... At least it is how he has spoken in the four movies I have seen him in.
shareHe is Dutch but spoke without his native accent in The Living Daylights in which he played a Soviet general. He doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves, at least not in the US.
shareIf you think the director of Chain Reaction, Above the Law and Under Siege is a GREAT director, just say so. :)
The film works because it is based on the common nightmare of being pursued by a vastly superior force, while being very anchored to reality. The use of real Chicago locations (the director is from there, I believe) and his eye for credible performances draw the audience in. He did the same with Under Siege, which actually has an impressive realism for a dumb action film (compare it to the ghastly sequel). The details are what make the film so memorable.
The screenplay is also tightly structured with great dialogue, but allows plenty of space to breathe - Kimble barely speaks, but we're gripped watching Ford facially react to his awful predicament. Every minor character is given memorable dialogue and is well acted. Apparently they were writing the ending on the fly and, while it does get a bit messy explaining the villains' plans, it wraps up in a very satisfying way.
It's a simple human tale brought to life by skilled professionals who are interested in telling a good story, without trying to impress or distract with flashy visuals, and such films often stand the test of time.
The visual style and cinematography didn't hurt either. The right style, places, actors and time. Perfect storm. Every time this movie is on, no matter what part, I watch it.
shareLOL That is what I was thinking when listening to the commentary and hearing the director mention that he made movies like Under Seige. Nothing against the director mention id take Under seige over any of the *beep* made now days even if it is still crap.
shareI've always thought the same thing. This movie is so much better than it had any right to be. Every time I see it I forget just how excellent it is from start to finish. Even with its great reviews and box office I still think it's unappreciated.
shareI know another poster gave you a hard time over your comment about mediocrity, however, I agree with you on all counts. Especially about Twohy--his writing credits are largely on films that are for s***! I'm not saying the director was the worst ever but seriously, this film is not even close to being on par with anything else he has done (nor the writers, for that matter).
I feel like the stellar quality here is inexplicable when held up against their collective work. Apparently there was a magical combination here.
"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"
Just an observation from an out-of-the-box thinker.
A-list lead actors (Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward) who have proven themselves. The casting director really outdid him(her)self.
A true testosterone flick. The men are men, most of whom have honor and believe in their jobs. No political correctness, no gender identification crap, no daddy issues, no questioning their lot in life.
Dirty little secret with us women: most of us don't go as much for looks as we do a strong leader, a protector with honor and knows how to be good to women and children. (okay, an alpha male). We like men who are comfortable in their skin. Dr. Richard Kimble truly loves his wife and tries to avenge her at nearly any cost. Sam Gerard is large and in charge; he takes his job very seriously, isn't afraid to give orders and isn't afraid to show Dr. Kimble compassion in the final scene.
You wouldn't believe how many women think Tommy Lee Jones is a hottie. Personally I could take him or leave him.
Jeroen Krabbe plays double-crossers like Dr. Nichols very well. He is completely in his element here. (I think he's the hottie ๐)
Very interesting thoughts. I think men and women are craving films like this where masculinity and femininity are honestly represented and characters get on with their shit, without a creepy political agenda distorting things in the hope of socially re-engineering society via the screen.