Where to watch The Hunted
3 Stars
Paul is on a business trips to Nagoya, as a computer-chip executive from New York, when he meets a beautiful and mysterious woman. Later, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, inadvertently interrupting an assassination by a feared Ninja-cult. As he is now the only man to have seen the face of the cult’s warrior-leader and lived, he soon realizes that he is facing a markedly foreshortened life-expectancy. Teaming up with a friendly samurai couple, on a two-centuries-old blood-feud with the Ninja, he struggles to survive. Finally, recuperating on an island-fortress, he learns swordsmanship, and perhaps, a little about courage, honor, love, and loyalty. The requisite final confrontation is rife with bloody swordplay and spectacular martial-arts action sequences.
Christopher Lambert has such an unconventional screen presence and a unique mumble-mouth style that it can be hard to tell if he is method acting or simply rebelling against fully committing to his roles. His distinctive energy, while portraying an American, is effectively utilized in the right projects. “The Hunted” leverages Lambert’s quirks within the context of a story about a clash between Ninjas and Samurais. This type of martial arts film typically features stars like Gary Daniels or Don “the Dragon” Wilson, but “The Hunted” stands out as a polished release from Universal Pictures. It was given a generous budget and filmed on location, showcasing exotic settings that enhance the film’s appeal.
The film’s centerpiece, and its highlight, is a lengthy battle aboard a moving bullet train. This intense and brilliantly executed sequence is so remarkable that the movie struggles to regain its momentum after it. As the absurd story unfolds, I found myself reminiscing about the train scene, hoping that the same energy and excitement would reappear, but unfortunately, it did not. This made the final battle feel like a letdown when it should have been thrilling.
Overall, “The Hunted” is an uneven film featuring a charming Western hero, a classic Eastern antagonist, and a spectacular action set piece at its midpoint. If you have even a moderate appreciation for this genre, “The Hunted” will satisfy your craving.
Directed by: J.F. Lawton
Written by: J.F. Lawton
Starring: Christopher Lambert, John Lone, Joan Chen