The Jackal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bruce Willis, sporting a terrible wig collection, tries to kill the First Lady with a comically oversized gun, while Richard Gere fumbles with an even worse Irish accent to stop him.

🍿 The Jackal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: Retribution in Moscow

In Moscow, a joint FBI-MVD operation targets Russian mobster Ghazzi Murad. During the raid, Ghazzi is killed by Major Valentina Koslova. Enraged, Ghazzi’s brother, Terek Murad, seeks revenge against the American and Russian law enforcement agencies involved.

Hiring the Jackal

Terek Murad hires a notorious assassin known only as “The Jackal” to carry out a hit on a high-profile American target. The FBI and MVD scramble to identify the target and the assassin, hampered by the Jackal’s elusive nature and lack of a known identity.

Enlisting Mulqueen

With few leads, the FBI and MVD turn to Declan Mulqueen, an imprisoned IRA sniper who has encountered the Jackal in the past. Mulqueen agrees to help in exchange for promises of release and safe passage, setting in motion a tense collaboration with unpredictable consequences.

The Hunt Begins

Mulqueen, partnered with Major Koslova and FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston, begins the hunt for the Jackal, piecing together clues and navigating treacherous landscapes. As the Jackal meticulously prepares for his mission, the pursuers face a race against time to prevent a devastating attack.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• The Jackal (Bruce Willis): A ruthless and highly skilled assassin hired to eliminate a high-profile American target.
• Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere): A former IRA sniper released from prison to help the FBI track down the Jackal.
• Preston (Sidney Poitier): The FBI Deputy Director who enlists Declan Mulqueen to stop the Jackal.
• Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora): A Russian MVD Major who partners with the FBI to catch the Jackal.
• Isabella (Mathilda May): A former Basque separatist and Declan’s ex-lover, who has ties to the Jackal.
• Terek Murad (David Hayman): A vengeful Russian mobster who hires the Jackal to retaliate against the FBI and MVD.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Valentina Koslova: “She’s Basque, isn’t she? They say Basques live by the vendetta. If they hate someone it’s to the death. It’s the same when they love.” – Valentina explains the intensity of Isabella’s relationships, foreshadowing her potential involvement in the hunt for the Jackal.
• Declan Mulqueen: “There’s a lot of innocent people that are gonna die because of you. You’re gonna have to live with that.” – Mulqueen expresses his moral conflict and resentment towards the Jackal’s ruthless methods and potential for collateral damage.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $54,930,280
• Worldwide Gross: $159,330,280

💥 The Jackal Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so it’s not ‘The Day of the Jackal,’ but I still enjoy it. The whole setup with the Russian mob and the Jackal’s elaborate plans really grabbed me the first time I saw it. I thought Bruce Willis was great as the cold, calculating killer – seriously creepy! Richard Gere’s Irish accent? Yeah, it’s a bit dodgy, but I can overlook it. I was on the edge of my seat during the subway chase and even teared up when Valentina bit the bullet. I’ll keep watching it when it’s on TV.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in spy and assassin stories”
  • “Those who enjoy films with a cat-and-mouse dynamic”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief scene of homosexual interaction”
  • “Depiction of terrorism”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While the action is plentiful, the convoluted plot and Gere’s questionable accent distract from the suspense. Willis is menacing, but the film ultimately lacks the sophistication of its predecessor.
• Variety: “A passable thriller elevated by Willis’ chilling performance, but bogged down by plot holes and Gere’s less-than-convincing portrayal of an IRA operative. The set pieces are impressive, yet the overall impact is underwhelming.

Audience Reactions

Bruce Willis is great as a cold-blooded killer.: Many found the action engaging and appreciated Bruce Willis’ portrayal of the villain.

The movie has lots of holes and lacks logic.: Some viewers found the storyline illogical with exaggerated and unnecessary action sequences.

Overall Consensus: While not living up to its source material, “The Jackal” delivers decent action and a compelling villain, though some find the plot and certain performances lacking.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Frederick Forsyth, the author of ‘The Day of the Jackal,’ requested his name be removed from the credits because he felt the film strayed too far from his original novel.”
• “The film’s locations spanned multiple countries, including Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, adding complexity to the production.”
• “Universal Pictures initially resisted changing the film’s name despite requests from the director of the original ‘The Day of the Jackal,’ leading to further distancing from the source material.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Jackal?

The Jackal (1997) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Jackal, you might like these similar films:

• The Day of the Jackal (1973): The original film based on the Frederick Forsyth novel, providing a more nuanced and suspenseful take on the assassin-hunting theme.
• Ronin (1998): Features a team of highly skilled operatives brought together for a dangerous mission, with complex loyalties and betrayals.
• The Saint (1997): Another action thriller from the same era featuring a master of disguise, similar to the Jackal’s chameleon-like abilities.
• John Wick (2014): A modern action film with a highly skilled assassin and intense action sequences, appealing to fans of the genre.

🛒 The Jackal Related Products

• The Day of the Jackal [Blu-ray]: Experience the original suspense thriller that inspired “The Jackal”. Compare the classic to the remake and see which one you prefer. Features Edward Fox.
• Bruce Willis Action Figure – Die Hard: Although not directly Jackal related, a high-quality Bruce Willis action figure from Die Hard. A great addition to any collector and a tribute to his extensive filmography.
• The Jackal Movie Poster – Bruce Willis, Richard Gere: Official movie poster featuring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. A great way to commemorate this intense thriller.
• Tactical Gear – Camouflage Clothing & Accessories: Explore a selection of camouflage clothing and accessories, similar to those used by Bruce Willis’s character. Ideal for outdoor activities or cosplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Jackal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Star” – performed by Primal Scream
• “Theme from The Magnificent Seven” – performed by Elmer Bernstein

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

An ELITE Sniper Receives a $100 Million Order and Must Survive At All Costs

Curious about how a sniper’s mission unfolds? Check out this exciting video for a summarized version of a high-stakes contract. It might remind you of “The Jackal” in a new light.

Siskel & Ebert’s Enthusiastic Review for FARGO (1996)

Interested in hearing the opinions of renowned movie critics? Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert had high praise for “Fargo.” Their analysis might provide you with a fresh perspective on how to approach and appreciate films like “The Jackal.

✨ Rate