Jackals (1986)

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

This movie certainly was a sleeper. The acting was excellent, especially seeing Major Dad in the role of the evil bad guy.The scene at the end when Jack Lucarelli takes Jameson Parker's laser sight shotgun with him is excellent. He never says a word to any of the five "officers" he encounters. He doesn't have to.Wilford Brimley is his usual excellent self. My sister liked the part where he tells Deputy Hobie to stay at the crime scene, because "I don't want anybody fartin' around out here." That's just how real people put things, not all proper and in the king's English.I missed this movie so much that I bought a former rental store copy for 14c online. It's in perfect condition! David Goss' song, "The Price You Pay" is fitting and very well sung during closing credits.

Jackals recently popped up on Flix in a nice letterboxed print, titled American Justice. It could easily have been another bang bang shoot 'em up action film but clearly has higher aspirations, and does a good job of reaching for them, if not reaching them consistently. It's the only feature film for veteran TV director Gary Grillo, and features a literate and intelligent script by Dennis Pratt, who later wrote the slightly less noteworthy Leprechaun 4: In Space. The story revolves around Dave (Jameson Parker, a bit of a one-note Johnny), a curly haired Californian who witnesses the murder of a young Mexican woman whilst on his summer hols in Arizona. Unfortunately, the killer turns out to be hyper-macho Officer Jake (Gerald McRaney, anticipating his Major Dad persona), a local lawman whose affable boss (Wilford Brimley, less annoying than usual) doesn't want to face the truth. Though there's action aplenty, the film never forgets that it's telling a tale of small town corruption, and there are even a few surprises that move it further away from the generic action movie template. All in all, a pleasant if minor surprise.

This one is a real sleeper. If it hadn't been dissed by one of its stars prior to release, it might have been a hit. The character, Connie, in particular reminded me of someone you might meet in a Tijuana back alley on a dark night. He played his part perfectly.

I know this movie as American Justice. I searched and now finally own it and would be hard pressed to ever get rid of it. For me the acting is good for the Wilford Brimley, Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker, the other lead character left me cold. The best part for me was seeing the stars of tv's Simon & Simon working together in totally different roles. Just goes to show the chemistry goes beyond the series. Worth watching at least once. Good viewing