U.S. Marshals (1998)

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

A sequel and equal to THE FUGITIVE, this exciting, highly watchable thriller deserved a much bigger success than the lacklustre performance it had when released in the cinemas. I just don't understand why people didn't like it, except that perhaps there is a case of 'seen it before', as there is much the same feel to it as THE FUGITIVE. However, the film is by no means a copy, the plot is completely different and offers up many new situations, the only thing which is directly lifted from the original is the opening crash, this time by plane instead of train.The film is constantly full of conspiracy trappings (the norm for '90s thrillers), conflict, both verbal and physical, and supported well by a clever script as Snipes and Jones both behave in believable ways. The acting is all very good, with Tommy Lee Jones reprising his role as the laconic hunter who never loses. Jones oozes charisma and comes across as a very cool character. Snipes' character may not be as sympathetic as Ford's was in THE FUGITIVE, but he's a fine actor and a tough, wily opponent. Robert Downey Jr. lends solid support as a special agent, and the rest of the cast are all commendable.However, it's the action sequences which stand out, from the opening plane crash to the excellently choreographed shootout in a cemetery, of all places. Coupled with some literally amazing stunts - Snipes swinging off a tall building on to the roof of a moving train, this never loses touch with reality, as events are based very much in fact. Like THE FUGITIVE, U.S. MARSHALS has a feel to it which instantly raises it above the level of other such fare in the cinemas today, and it's a film which deserves to become something of a minor classic.

Quite what Wesley Snipes' character was wanted for,I lost interest in,as the usual mix of clichés reeled off.Tommy Lee Jones as the(stifles yawn)cavalier and maverick officer who doesn't give a stuff about authority. Kate Nelligan ,who,in a previous existence was an classical actress but here she's a glamorous superior officer who appears magically out of various choppers into these danger zones ,immaculately besuited as if she's come out of an important meeting and she's not best pleased.She's permanently down on him and of course there's sexual tension between them.Godammit ,she loves the guy! Patrick Formaldahide,another Brit with an accent,introducing inter-departmental rivalry,of course, placing one of his officers with Jones who,naturally,hates him because producers of this kind of thing have to have tension all the time ,you understand.On and on it went.We had Jones' loyal team whooping it up in a bar and watching themselves on TV.Buds all round,you guys! An utterly ridiculous plane crash from which somehow Snipes manages to escape.An episode in a swamp where Snipes gets away from about 6 people by holding up the ,you guessed it, rival officer. I confess to giving up at the halfway point...can you blame me?

U.S Marshals is one of those unique films of the nineties, because it is so rememberable and entertaining to watch. Tommy Lee Jones is, as expected, outstanding in the film. All of the side characters also bring a spark to the screen that mixes well with the environment. The action is suspenseful and continuous. The plot is basic but decent in its twists and turns. The only flaw that I can find within the film is the character Robert Downey Jr. plays. He does act very well, I just hated the character he played. His development is there, but it just doesn't fit into a common personality for his character. The need to get what he wants, even if it costs friends their lives is really undefined, and not well explained in the film. Plus he is the new guy as the story begins, making him the obvious out of place character, who will mess things up for everybody. Other then that, this film is a gem of the nineties, and is worth a peek.

Capitalizing on the success that Tommy Lee Jones scored in The Fugitive, his character of Marshal Sam Gerard was given the lead in US Marshals where he is once again going after an innocent man. In this case Jones's target is Wesley Snipes who is not only an accused murderer of two agents, but he's accused of treason as well, passing secrets to the People's Republic of China.Tommy Lee Jones won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fugitive, but he's not doing anything remotely reaching Oscar contention in US Marshals. It's a hastily and poorly written script with a lot of nice action sequences to cover that up. The airplane crash sequence where Snipes escapes from Jones's custody is well done as is his escape from an old age home on to the roof of a moving subway.As we know early on that Snipes is innocent, I'm here to tell you that the guilty party stands out like a sore thumb. A five year old child could tell you who the real bad guy and traitor is.Jones, Snipes and the rest of the cast do a workmanlike job. But this one is for easy to please action/adventure fans.