Directed by William Friedkin (Rules of Engagement, The Exorcist, The French Connection)
Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro
Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language
Tired of slow motion, wire work, long-drawn-out fight scenes? Me too. (Don't get me wrong- I liked the first few!) The Hunted is a necessary break from the “unrealistic” with some really unique action choreography.
And don’t shelf this movie as a mindless action flick. The Hunted isn't short of great action sequences, it just doesn’t rely on them. The film has excellent performances from Jones and Del Toro, and a creative story line that you haven't seen a lot of . . . except maybe First Blood . (And do Stallone Films really count?)
I think the greatest part of this film is Jones' character which is based on the real life tracker/survival expert Thomas H. Brown Jr., who was also a technical advisor on the movie. This is a guy you would want with you on your next hike through Yellowstone. (Anthony Hopkins would have loved his companionship in The Edge.) Make sure you watch the supplemental material on the DVD so you can meet the real guy!
Friedkin's filming style doesn't require you to check your brain at the door. Join his ride into the lives of characters that you don't get to see every day, but you'll probably be convinced are very real. (And if you watch the DVD extras, you'll find out . . . they are!)
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
