"We have a fugitive..."      

U.S. MARSHALS (PG-13) 

Reviewed March 15, 1998 - Check out the U.S. Marshals website.

In what has been billed as a sequel to The Fugitive, Tommy Lee Jones reprises his role as Sam Gerard in his latest film, U.S. Marshals.  This time, Gerard isn't after Harrison Ford's Dr. Kimble, but is on the hunt for ex-CIA agent Mark Sheridan (Wesley Snipes), who is accused of murdering two Federal agents.  With a small but loyal team of marshals and one suspicious Fed (Robert Downey Jr.) alongside, Gerard begins the manhunt for the shifty Sheridan, a cat-and-mouse chase that takes him from Chicago to Manhattan and many points in between.

Those who saw 1993's The Fugitive and fell in love with Tommy Lee Jones' character know why U.S. Marshals exists.  The smart, brassy, fast-talking Gerard is back in full force, and Jones' character continues to entertain.  There's no question here: Jones' performance is the best part of this film.  Unfortunately, it's also just about the only reason to see this movie.  Everything else, including the usually entertaining Snipes, simply falls flat in the midst of an uninspired, weakly executed script.  It's as if the writer (John Pogue) and director (Stuart Baird) forgot that the true appeal of The Fugitive is not merely in the chase, but in the story of a man trying to prove his innocence while running from "the Law."  As it stands, U.S. Marshals tells the story from the perspective of "the Law," treats "the fugitive" Sheridan as an afterthought, and slowly loses much of the appeal it could have had.  We're not given a lot of reason to care about Mark Sheridan, and if we don't care then we all may as well go home (or stay home).  Despite Tommy Lee Jones, U.S. Marshals is not The Fugitive...let's just hope there isn't another sequel underway...

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

shotgunshells@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Excellent drama! a good action movie and a good mysterie. It was easyer to understand than The Fugative. I hope they make another movie like this one" (7/27/99)

lstwel_x@bournemouthandpoole-cfe.ac.uk gives this movie  stars: "I love this film, especially Tommy Lee Jones (Deputy US Marshal Samuel Gerard and Tom Wood (Deputy US Marshal Noah Newman). The only thing that I thought was a bit off, was the plane crash. If you compare it to The Fugitive's train crash, the situations are similar. I also did'nt like the shooting of Newman as I liked him a lot. The sitations that he was in during both The Fugtive and US Marshalls maked m laugh a lot with my friends. Say hi to him in film heaven for me!!!" (7/14/99)

Jon Layman gives this movie  stars: "I thought US Marshals was a great movie. Infact it was the best movie I have ever seen in my life." (11/9/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "Goddammit !!! This completely ruined the fugitive tone. The original was one of the best movies and this came along. It would have been better if Tommy Lee was not the main character but the fugitive. But even Wesley Snipes sucked ! Regurgitated dialogue and action, but much less interesting plot makes US Marshals a real flop ! By the way, the killer is SO predictable. The first one wasn't !" (10/4/98)

RichieKatie@worldnet.att.net gives this movie  stars: "This was a great film. We fell in love with Sam Gerard in " The Fugitive" and now we see him in "US Marshals." I truly loved this film because of the entire case This film will hopefully spawm a sequel." (9/12/98)

Shirae@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I think the movie U.S.Marshals was the greatest. I truely enjoyed the Fugitve but I like this one better. Mostly because Tommy Lee Jones has a bigger role!! He is my favorite but the other characters did great to!! I always like a funny movie and this one was funny and actio packed at the same time. Personly I think Tommy Lee should get a award!! My opion is two thumbs up for the movie and GO GO TOMMY LEE !!!!!!!! YOUR THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!" (9/5/98)

glocktwentythree@juno.com gives this movie  stars: "The best movie I've ever seen. It has inspired me to become a US Marshal some day. The whole movie is good." (8/28/98)

j.m.j.griff@bigpond.com gives this movie  stars: "Not as good as the original one, "THE FUGITIVE" ,U.S. Marshals is an excellent movie to watch and I look forward to seeing another sequel." (7/10/98)

wowacow@olypen.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved Joe Pantoliano. He had a much bigger part in this one then in the original as Cosmo Renfro." (7/7/98)

jclark25@bellsouth.net gives this movie  stars: "Very good story line, acting and mixture of cast was simply outstanding. Been a fan of Tommy's for quite some time and really enjoy his stuff.. also check out early film, The Park Is Mine..." (6/24/98)

peturb@islandia.is gives this movie  stars: "Pretty good." (6/14/98)

Erinjam2@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "The best movie I have ever seen and Tommy Lee Jones is the best actor in the world!!!" (4/2/98)

Katie gives this movie  stars: "I hope there is another sequel since I enjoyed U.S. Marshals. It is an action packed film that has a great cast and wonderful acting. It is probably one of the best movies I have ever seen. It has a great plot and a funny conclusion which I believe is excellent. Any Tommy Lee Jones fan would love this movie (including myself). This is one film that deserves an Oscar." (4/2/98)

BHawk5@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "This movie was pretty cool. It had many extremes. Some parts just rocked and some parts made me want to leave the theater, but over all it really kicked @*#" (4/1/98)

nickblaskowski@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "i like the twist on this movie,i didn't see "the fugitive", i wasn't even sure this was a sequel to something,when i saw it. But i like the twist,when snipes[wait a minute i better not wreck it for the people that haven't seen it yet]. Anyway, i liked it!" (3/29/98)

Michael Reyes this this film  stars: "The movie was alright. It just reminded me of The Fugitive. Overall I liked it. All the characters did a terrific job!" (3/27/98)