Jackal, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

A ruthless assassin called The Jackal (Bruce Willis) has been hired by international mobsters to eliminate someone at the very top of the U.S. government. Constantly on the move and changing his identity as he goes, everything about him is a mystery. Aware of the Jackal's presence, but uncertain of his location or purpose, FBI Deputy Director Preston (Sidney Poitier) faces the challenge of tracking him down before the murder takes place. Working with Russian Intelligence officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora) and convicted terrorist Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), Preston always seems one step behind. It's a fast-paced cat-and-mouse game as professional assignments turn into personal vendettas. With all its star power and its presentation of fascinating military hardware, THE JACKAL will draw healthy crowds at the box-office. But its lack of imagination will keep it from becoming a smash.

Unlike many stereotypical characters today, the government agents in this film are portrayed as upstanding, justice-seeking crusaders. Preston is a single-minded agent committed to saving lives and Koslova is a tough-as-nails officer driven to end corruption. Together, they convince the terrorist Mulqueen to become an instrument of justice as well. Unfortunately, almost fifty crude words and obscenities mar the script, and the Lord's name is taken in vain nine times. But violence steals the show as people are brutally shot and killed with rapid gunfire. One particularly explicit scene involves the Jackal testing his automatic canon on an innocent victim, ending in a brutal and graphic killing. To its merit, the film contains no sexual material, but the assassin once poses as a gay man and kisses another man. The movie also contains a lot of smoking and drinking of hard liquor. Despite its positive portrayals of law enforcers, THE JACKAL contains too much carnage for most moviegoers.

Preview Reviewer: Jason Shepherd
Distributor: Universal Films, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608