The Fugitive

Starring: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pantoliano

Less here than meets the anticipation. Director Davis disappoints after a couple of bravura sequences involving a train and a dam. But the setup is WAY too long, the limiting of the chase to Chicago virtually claustrophobic, the conspiracy plot ludicrous, and the use of flashbacks weak. Ford shows signs of life, but barely. Jones walks off with the picture without even trying, and even Pantoliano is more engaging. Indeed, the supporting cast is excellent overall. Finally, after all the hustle and bustle, I still don't know why the wife (Sela Ward, very attractive) was killed. Unfortunate, because this could have, and should have, been great. As it is it ranks only fourth on my top five summer thriller list (“Jurassic Park” left off because it had no humans in it that I can remember): “In the Line of Fire,” “Cliffhanger,” “Rising Sun,” “The Fugitive,” “The Firm.” Thank you. (8/11/93)