MovieFreak.com - "The Hunted" DVD Review by John Teves

DVD REVIEW

Hunted, The (2003)

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Benicio Del Toro

Director: William Friedkin

Rating: R

Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Date: August 12, 2003
Review posted: August 14, 2003

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by John Teves

Synopsis

Tommy Lee Jones is an FBI deep-woods tracker who captures an assassin (Benicio Del Toro) with a weird tendency -- he makes a sport of killing deer hunters. When Del Toro escapes in the city, Jones must team up with another Bureau agent (Connie Nielsen) to hunt down the thrill killer before he starts to hunt them.

Critique

THE HUNTED is an enjoyable action/thriller just as long as you don’t ask for a whole lot. The picture doesn’t attempt to be anything more than it is. I felt the script did the job in the ways of a simple action thriller and that’s about all. As far as performances go, Tommy Lee Jones is in a role that is very proper for him. Jones has proven over time that he can continuously sustain an on-screen charisma even when the script is lacking in substance. Benicio Del Toro has some rather strong moments and is convincing as the adversary allowing nothing to get in the way of his cause.

The suspense hinges mostly on Lt. Bonham (Jones), and Aaron (Del Toro); it is here that Jones's skill is needed most and appreciated. He has to show us a man who has embarked on a terrifying and lonely quest into the unknown place of his most skilled apprentice's mind; who is an assassin gone renegade after loosing track of reality just a wee bit and is now keeping himself amused by hunting deer hunters.

Though certain aspects of the film remind me of THE FUGITIVE and FIRST BLOOD, THE HUNTED combines the two to give us a better-than-average action thriller. Overall, this is not a bad film, but the story seems to lose its direction early on without being able to redeem itself in the least bit. Additionally, the hand-to-hand combat sequences between Del Toro and Jones are enjoyable and admirable, but besides that the film is nothing more than a constant chase film that lacks clarity and depth.

The Video

THE HUNTED appears in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. For the most part the picture seemed very good. Sharpness appeared positive. The image always remained crisp and well defined throughout the movie. I saw a couple of instances of softness during the wider shots. Jagged edges were visible but didn’t create any major distractions; there were occasions with some light edge enhancement.

In regard to print flaws, a few scenes appeared grainier than usual, and I also noticed a few bits of grit and speckles. Colors were solid, as the film’s naturalistic palette came across with reasonable accuracy. Black levels appeared solid, while shadow detail was a little erratic at times; demonstrating somewhat murky scenes.

Taken as a whole, THE HUNTED presented a colorful presentation and only minor concerns for such a new film transfer. When all is said and done THE HUNTED presented a pretty solid picture.

The Audio

THE HUNTED is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. For the most part, the soundfield presented a lively affair during the action sequences. Beyond that, however, the mix maintained a general emphasis on the forward channels. Dialogue was fixed to the forward spectrum; speech remained natural as I discerned no issues related to edginess.

The Extras

Commentary by Director William Friedkin
"Pursuing The Hunted" Featurette
"Filming The Hunted" Featurette
"Tracking The Hunted" Featurette
"The Cutting Edge" Featurette
6 Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
English Subtitles

Overall

THE HUNTED is an enjoyable action/thriller just as long as you don’t ask for a whole lot. While it didn't move me as much as I thought it would, I still found THE HUNTED to present an engaging experience. The DVD looked and sounded great while the supplements seemed a little bear bones. Fans of the film will be pleased to see this one on DVD after a short theatrical release. For everyone else, especially action/thriller fans, this is a nice rental.

John Teves rates the film 3 out of 4.

Review originally appeared on DVDFreak.net

VERDICT: RENT IT

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