The Hunted (2003)
Directed by William Friedkin
In the wilderness of British Columbia, two hunters are tracked and viciously murdered by Aaron Hallam. A former Special Operations instructor is approached and asked to apprehend Hallam—his former student—who has 'gone rogue' after suffering severe battle stress from his time in Kosovo.
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What critics compared The Hunted to
Screenwriters David and Peter Griffiths ("Collateral Damage") and Art Monterastelli have created an original screenplay that in truth is a remake of "First Blood," the first of the "Rambo" series, with a little of Tommy Lee Jones's character from "The Fugitive" thrown in and some borrowing of "Apocalypse Now's" Colonel Kurtz for del Toro's motivation.
Many viewers will likely be reminded of "First Blood" (the initial installment of the "Rambo" series) and Richard Crenna's efforts to find and bring in his renegade but highly resourceful former soldier (Sly Stallone) who's suffering from post traumatic stress (and more recent mistreatment).
At its heart, it's a Rambo rehash, a " First Blood " remake minus America's post-Vietnam guilt-trip.
If you've seen both First Blood and The Fugitive, you've already watched The Hunted.
The film is a distant poor relation to "First Blood" and "The Fugitive," and follows the formula of such films in a disjointed and undeveloped way.
It was co-written by Stallone and a guy named Art Monterastelli, who also co-wrote William Friedkin's The Hunted (2003), another stripped-down, cut-to-the-chase action film obviously inspired by the film that introduced John Rambo, 1982's First Blood.
But that was not quite 40 years ago and since then he’s been mostly known for bad action films like “The Hunted,” and being married to pioneer feminist mogul, Sherry Lansing.
Friedkin’s work here is far more interesting and lively than the self-serious studio dramas for middle-aged men he made ten years ago like Rules of Engagement and The Hunted.
Directed by Oscar-winner William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection, The Hunted), Killer Joe is one of the more odd and challenging films I’ve had to review.
Since 2003’s flop The Hunted his only theatrical pictures have been the adaptations of Letts’ first plays - Killer Joe premiered in 1993, Bug in 1996 - though he’s also contributed episodes to smash TV hit CSI.