The Fugitive (1993)

Directed by Andrew Davis. Starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Jeroen Krabbé, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, Daniel Roebuck, Tom Wood, Ron Dean, L. Scott Caldwell, Joseph Kosala, Julianne Moore, Johnny Lee Davenport, Jane Lynch, Sela Ward, Richard Riehle, Eddie Bo Smith Jr. [PG-13]

Update of the popular 60s television drama sends wrongfully convicted wife-killer Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) on a nail-biting crusade to find the responsible party—a one-armed man he struggled with at the scene of the crime—while staying only a step or two ahead of his pursuers, led by determined federal marshal Sam Gerard (Jones). Expert thriller is full of the expected stunts, special effects, close calls, and valiant deeds, but it’s the skill of the filmmaking and the strength of the performances that make it work. Edited for taut visual clarity that always keeps things moving (often at a breathless pace) and stocked with a few sensational action sequences; smart casting for supporting roles and bit players along with savvy location shooting gives the film an unmistakable sense of time and place. Ford is in top form, sometimes overlooked because he makes what he does seem effortless, and he’s well-matched by wily Jones, so entertaining to watch that he picked up an Academy Award for his work. Script is smarter than the average action pic, but still suffers from a few too many leaps of logic and some convolutions in the second half once the pharmaceutical company conspiracy is introduced. Followed by a spinoff/sequel (U.S. Marshals). Look for Neil Flynn as a transit cop.

88/100