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Rating: 5 out of 5
Yooooooooooooo!!!! I want to say that The Fugitive is one of the most entertaining and exciting movies that I honestly forgot about until I rewatched it. Damn, was I on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t find one flaw with this movie. The acting by Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones was spot on. The cat and mouse game keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is just MUAH with greatness, and I love it. I am so disappointed that I forgot how good this movie was.
Based on the 1960s television series of the same name that was created by Roy Higgins. The film was masterly directed by Andrew Davis. Let me give you the low down on this film. Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) is a highly respected and well-known vascular surgeon based out of Chi-Town. While returning home from work one night, he finds his wife Helen (Ward) brutally murdered. Kimble manages to fight the killer and finds out that he is a one-armed man. The man manages to escape before the police arrive. Distraught, Kimble gives his view of what happened but with the lack of evidence of forced entry, Helen’s lucrative life insurance policy, and a misunderstood 911 call result in Kimble being arrested and charged with the murder. After a trial, he is sentenced to death. On his way to prison, several inmates distract a guard and cause the bus to crash on a train track. Kimble saves one of the guards before deciding to escape. Kimble resolves to find out who the real killer was and why his love was brutally murdered. As the time ticks away, US Marshal Samuel Gerard (Lee Jones) and his team are tasked with finding Kimble and arresting him. As Gerard goes further into trying to catch Kimble, he soon learns that the man he is chasing might actually be innocent.
Like I said in the intro, this film is everything and then some. I love a good cat and mouse type movie, and this one does it for me. Actually, I need to correct myself; this is a GREAT cat and mouse type movie. I like the somewhat slow build-up. The film takes a good five to ten minutes to set the plot of Kimble being arrested and his trial. I like how the film didn’t spend too much time on that part. I love how the movie almost jumps right into the action with the escaping of the bus scene. When that train was coming, and Kimble jumped from the bus, it looked like old school Raiders of the Lost Ark. You get a moment to take a deep breath. Once Gerard comes on the scene, he is like a relentless wolf that won’t let his prey get away too far.
What I love about the cat and mouse game, it keeps you on edge because when you think Gerard has Kimble cornered, Kimble manages to escape. What I also like about the story is that Kimble is a wanted man and must convince people that he is not the person who needs to be captured. He makes his way to a hospital of all places, cuts his beard, dies his hair, and simply walks out. Another scene, when you think he is caught, was once again, he is in a hospital, and he is getting information on people with one arm. He stops to help a young boy before another doctor calls him out. The greatest interaction was when Kimble ran through the dam pipes, and Gerard was hot on his tail. The whole dialogue and scene before the jump scene is perfection. I am trying my best not to tell you too much, so let’s move on.
Let’s talk about the cinematography and musical score. Oh, DAMN, were these two areas excellent! First, the musical score is top-notch. It seemed to get your heart racing as you watched. It is intense and never seems to let up for a simple second. Well, yes, it does because there are moments where the film just calms down for a second, and it plays a lovely melody to give you a break. The cinematography is equally good as the camera seems to just go along and trail Kimble. You seem to be right there with him as he goes on the run or dreams about his wife.
Now Harrison Ford was a great Kimble. When he was interrogated, I learned that this scene was improvised, giving the viewers a look at his actual expression. He didn’t fake his frustration. I also read that he improvised many of his lines. I felt like Ford was just perfect for this role and the complete opposite of Jones because he is calmer and less intense.
Tommy Lee Jones, on the other hand, stole this freakin movie. He was honestly the best part to watch. Every time he came on screen, you knew you were going to have a show. As Gerard, he was intense, played no games, and didn’t care. You knew it was on when he gave orders during his iconic scene. In the scene when one of his men was held hostage, homeboy strolled over to the other side and shot the inmate. The BEST part was when the woman was screaming; he walked by, pointed, and says shut up. Dude was a boss, and I loved every minute of it.
The Fugitive is an AWESOME thrill ride movie, and I know you will love it also. The whole cat and mouse game that the two characters go through is pure thrill and excitement. Jones and Ford are fantastic in their respective roles. There is nothing less to say. Go watch this movie!
