Die Stunde des Jägers

Ein absichtlich kalter (im Stil von Insomnia - Schlaflos) und ziemlich grober Thriller. Einzigartig ist vor allem die Nutzung einer unauffälligen Musik in Passagen, in denen man ein großes Orchester erwarten würde. Die Absicht war, eine größere Authentizität und einen naturalistischen Charakter zu erzeugen. Die erste, langsamere und klischeehaftere Hälfte wird durch eine schwache Charakterisierung der Figuren und durch dumme Flashbacks beeinträchtigt. In der zweiten Hälfte fängt aber die Action an. Der Film wird dynamischer und blutiger. Für die Verhältnisse des Mainstreams ist der Film wirklich ziemlich hart – so viele Schnittwunden in einem Film habe ich schon lange nicht mehr gesehen. Die Schauspieler*innen sind prima, sie hätten aber eine ausgefeiltere Psychologie verdient. Connie Nielsen sieht wieder sehr schön aus. (11.06.2003)

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? (29.10.2005)

I don’t understand how Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones could have signed up for a bullshit movie like this. The film really looks like a cheap knock-off of Rambo. Even though it is several technical perks ahead, in terms of quality it’s still well past its prime. (06.03.2019)

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%. (20.08.2010)

An excellent thriller with great acting performances. Both Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro give us the best they’ve got. The plot is really old-school, but isn’t bad at all. A teacher has to shut down a pupil who has gone out of control. The gritty knife fight by the waterfall is just perfect. (17.02.2007)

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. (07.05.2005)

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. (10.02.2012)