The Hunted

Simple, quick and raw. Of course it's not the peak of creative or acting genius, but you don't expect that from an unassuming film like this. William Friedkin delivers nothing but an entertaining action B-movie with a likeable cast and a rather good atmosphere in places. I watched it from 11pm and I didn’t fall asleep, which in my case is saying something (I fall asleep at 2pm watching the Hockey World Cup) and it’s indicative of some quality. (02/10/2012)

A bit like a shabby first Rambo. The rawness and Friedkin's adept coaching of the action scenes is brought down by a clichéd story, a bunch of implausibilities (the whole opening scene from "Bosnia") and a load of outright plot bullshit. Or would you choose to quietly sheathe your knife as you fled, chased by hundreds of pursuers? (10/29/2005)

The Hunted is an intentionally cold (in the style of Insomnia) and relatively raw thriller that gets its distinctiveness mainly from the use of unobtrusive music in passages where you would expect a large orchestra. This was evidently done to achieve greater authenticity and naturalism. The first, slower and more clichéd half is handicapped by poor development of the characters and the occasionally dumb flashbacks that introduce them to us. In the second half, however, the pure action kicks into gear and the film takes on some decent dynamics and shocking gore. It’s actually rather raw for the mainstream – that many slash wounds are not normally seen in a single film. The actors are fine, but they deserve a better-developed psychological aspect. Connie Nielsen is again very, very good. (06/11/2003)

An interesting addition for fans of pure action movies. William Friedkin has basically given up on any narrative structure and the story races forward like a runaway train in the most simple and linear way possible. But what they did pay attention to is the rawness and coldness of the setting, the absolute minimization of visual effects, and the overall very austere and ordinary style of direction, in which the elemental combat technique krav maga stands out. The fights are incredible and unusually clearly filmed for Friedkin. If we overlook the initial staged and unrealistic action in Bosnia, the viewer who doesn't expect too much will not be unrewarded. (05/07/2005)

Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones are not suited for this. If I were a highly paid Hollywood actor, I would also wake up in the middle of the night in horror of becoming poor and instead of trips to the most famous resorts of the world's elite, I would have to spend my vacation in Beverly Hills. In reality, the presence of these two A-list actors is one of the few advantages that this action spectacle has. Above all, it is evidence of the decline of director William Friedkin, who was once able to shoot top-notch action films with a smart script and concept. He hasn't forgotten his craft, and he can lead his actors with a firm hand, but the script falls into the typical genre deficit, where it is necessary to turn off your brain in order to overlook the many illogicalities and stupidities. It is also very bloody, to satisfy the viewer's thirst for brutality. In the real world, of course, an older pursuer would not be able to keep up with a young warrior and certainly would not be able to use the method of fighting that both actors demonstrated in the finale. Overall impression: 25%. (08/20/2010)