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U.S. Marshals(film)

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U.S. Marshals
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStuart Baird
Written byJohn Pogue
Based on
Characters
by
Produced byAnne Kopelson
Arnold Kopelson
Starring
CinematographyAndrzej Bartkowiak
Edited byTerry Rawlings
Music byJerry Goldsmith
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • March 6, 1998(1998-03-06)
Running time
131 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$45 million
Box office$102.4 million[1]

U.S. Marshalsis a 1998 Americancrimeaction filmdirected byStuart Baird,and written byJohn Pogue.The film is a spin-off/standalone sequel toThe Fugitive(1993), and is the second release from thefranchise of the same name.Though the plot references the character,Dr. Richard Kimble(portrayed byHarrison Fordin the initial film) does not appear; rather, it centers on United States Deputy Marshal Sam Gerard, once again played byTommy Lee Jones.The plot follows Gerard and his team as they pursue another fugitive, Mark Sheridan, played byWesley Snipes,who attempts to escape government officials following an international conspiracy scandal. The film cast featuresRobert Downey Jr.,Joe Pantoliano,Daniel Roebuck,Tom Wood,andLaTanya Richardson,several of whom portrayed deputy marshals in the previous film.

The film was a co-production ofWarner Bros. Picturesand Kopelson Entertainment. The score was composed byJerry Goldsmith.

U.S. Marshalspremiered in theaters in the United States on March 6, 1998, grossing $57 million in its domestic run. The film took in an additional $45 million through international release for a worldwide total of $102 million against a budget of $45 million. The film was generally met with mixed critical reviews. The film was released on home video on July 21, 1998.

Plot

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In New York City, twoDiplomatic Security Service(DSS)Special Agentsare killed during a briefcase exchange in a United Nations (UN) parking garage. The murders are caught on a security camera, but the killer escapes with top-secret files.

Months later,Senior Deputy US MarshalSamuel Gerard and his team capture a pair of fugitives in Chicago. Elsewhere in the city, tow truck driver Mark Warren is injured in a crash and arrested for possession of an illegal handgun, but a fingerprint check reveals he is federal fugitive Mark Roberts, wanted for the double homicide in New York. Aboard aprisoner transport flightwith Gerard, Roberts thwarts anassassination attemptby a prisoner with animprovised firearm,but the bullet shoots a massive hole in the plane, blowing the would-be-assassin away to his death. The plane crashes into theOhio River,and Gerard tries to rescue the surviving prisoners as Roberts escapes.

DSS Special Agent John Royce is assigned to join Gerard's team in the hunt for Roberts, whom they corner in aKentuckyswamp before he wounds Gerard and flees. Gerard suspects that Royce is concealing information about Roberts and the murders, while Roberts calls his girlfriend Marie Bineaux, explaining that he was a government agent until he was betrayed in New York. Returning to New York City, Roberts secures supplies from aForce Reconcomrade and surveils Chinese diplomat Xiang Chen. Gerard's team questions Marie and tracks down the mechanic hired to hide the zip gun for the Chinese assassin on the plane, but find him dead, murdered by Chen.

Reviewing the parking garage security footage, Gerard discovers that Roberts' exchange with Chen was intercepted by the DSS agents, and that Roberts acted in self-defense and was wearing gloves, despite the DSS's claim that he was identified by fingerprints. DSS Director Bertram Lamb admits to Gerard and his senior supervisor Katherine Walsh that Roberts is Mark Sheridan, a formerCIASpecial Activities DivisionAgent suspected of sellingU.S. State Departmentclassified intelligenceto theChinese government.Chen was delivering money to Sheridan for the information when the DSS agents tried to apprehend Sheridan, who escaped with the documents.

Gerard's team tracks Sheridan to a cemetery where he catches DSS Special Agent Frank Barrows collecting a delivery from Chen, forcing Barrows to admit to a larger conspiracy to frame Sheridan. Marie arrives as Chen shoots at Sheridan, killing Barrows instead. Deputy Marshals Savannah Cooper and Bobby Biggs apprehend Chen, while Cosmo Renfro and Royce intercept Sheridan, who is forced to leave Marie behind. Royce, Gerard, and Deputy Marshal Noah Newman pursue Sheridan into a nearbyretirement home.Finding Royce preparing to execute Sheridan, Newman is shot by Royce; Sheridan flees to the roof, and Royce lies to Gerard that Sheridan shot Newman. Swinging onto a passing commuter train, Sheridan escapes, and Newman dies beside Gerard en route to the hospital.

Determined to kill Sheridan, a vengeful Gerard and Royce track him onto a freighter ship bound for Canada. During a struggle inside a grain container, Sheridan nearly kills Gerard but relents, and Sheridan is critically shot by Royce. Gerard realizes that the gun used to shoot Newman was Royce's; Royce is the realmolein league with Chen, and framed Sheridan. Left alone to guard Sheridan's hospital room, Royce wakes him up to murder him, but is confronted by Gerard. When Royce pulls a gun from his waistband, Gerard draws his service weapon and shoots Royce dead. Sheridan is exonerated and reunites with Marie, while Gerard and his team depart to drink a toast to Newman.

Cast

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Wesley Snipes, who portrayed Mark Sheridan, a former CIA Special Activities Division operative and a former Force Recon Marine, who went rogue during an investigation to uncover a mole within the U.S. State Department

Production

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Filming

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Filming locations includedMetropolis,Bay City,Shawneetown,and Chicago in Illinois, as well as New York City,Benton, Kentucky,andReelfoot Lake(Walnut Log) inObion County, Tennessee.[2]

Music

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U.S. Marshals: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Film scoreby
Jerry Goldsmith
ReleasedMarch 10, 1998
Length29:44
LabelVarèse Sarabande

The original motion picture soundtrack forU.S. Marshalswas released by theVarèse Sarabandemusic label on March 3, 1998.[3]The score for the film was composed and conducted byJerry Goldsmithand mixed by Bruce Botnick. Kenneth Hall edited the film's music.[4]

Release

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Home media

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Following its cinematic release, theRegion 1 Codewidescreenedition of the film was released on DVD in the U.S. on July 21, 1998. Special features for the DVD include: interactive behind-the-scenes documentary – Anatomy of the Plane Crash; historical documentary – Justice Under the Star; feature-length commentary by director Stuart Baird; interactive menus; production notes; two theatrical trailers; three TV spots; and scene access.[5]Additionally, a Special Edition repackaged DVD was also released on November 3, 2009. Special features include: a closed caption option; interactive behind-the-scenes documentary –Anatomy of the Plane Crash;historical documentary –Justice Under the Star;feature length commentary by director Stuart Baird; two theatrical trailers; and three TV spots.[6]

In supplemental fashion, aVHSformat version of the film was released on February 2, 1999.[7]A restored widescreen hi-definitionBlu-ray Discversion of the film was released on June 5, 2012. Special features include: two documentaries – Anatomy of the plane crash and Justice under the star; commentary by director Stuart Baird; and the theatrical trailer.[8]An additional viewing option for the film in the media format ofVideo on demandhas been made available as well.[9]

Reception

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Box office

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U.S. Marshalspremiered in cinemas on March 6, 1998, inwide releasethroughout the United States.[1]During that weekend, the film opened in second place, grossing $16,863,988 at 2,817 locations.[1]The filmTitanicwas in first place during that weekend, with $17,605,849 in revenue.[10]The film's revenue dropped by 32% in its second week of release, earning $11,355,259. For that particular weekend, the film fell to 3rd place with the same theater count. The continuing success ofTitanicremained unchallenged in first place with $17,578,815 in box office business.[11]During its final week in release,U.S. Marshalswas in 60th place, grossing a marginal $16,828 in revenue.[12][13]U.S. Marshalswent on to top out domestically at $57,167,405 in total ticket sales through its theatrical run.[1]For 1998 as a whole, the film would cumulatively rank at a box office performance position of 36.[14]

Critical response

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Among mainstream critics in the U.S., the film received mixed reviews.[15]Rotten Tomatoesgave the film a score of 30% based on reviews from 43 critics, with an average score of 4.9 out of 10. The site's consensus states: "A rote albeit well-cast action thriller,U.S. Marshalssuffers badly in comparison to the beloved blockbuster that preceded it. "[16]AtMetacritic,which assigns aweighted averageout of 100 to critics' reviews,U.S. Marshalswas given a score of 47 based on 20 reviews.[15]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[17]

The result is unconvincing and disorganized. Yes, there are some spectacular stunts and slick special effects sequences. Yes, Jones is right on the money, and Snipes makes a sympathetic fugitive. But it's the story that has to pull this train, and its derailment is about as definitive as the train crash in the earlier film.

—Roger Ebert, writing for theChicago Sun-Times[18]

Barbara Shulgasser, writing inThe San Francisco Examiner,commented in positive sentiment about the acting, saying, "The film's pacing is unimpeachable and good performances are delivered by Jones, Snipes, Irene Jacob as Sheridan's loyal girlfriend and, for brief moments, Kate Nelligan as Gerard's tough but lovable boss."[19]Left impressed,Desson HoweinThe Washington Postnoted how "Every story beat is expertly planned and executed." Howe also praised director Baird, exclaiming how he "runs the show with a smart eye and a metronome ticking somewhere in his mind."[20]In a mixed to negative review, Russell Smith ofThe Austin Chroniclebluntly deduced that, "Unlike Kimble, whose innocence and decency are known from the beginning inThe Fugitive,Sheridan is a total cipher to both Gerard and the audience until deep into this two-hours-plus film. Ergo, we can't be expected to give a rat's ass what happens to him – and don't. "[21]Owen GleibermanofEntertainment Weeklyopined thatU.S. Marshalswas "Lean, tense, and satisfyingly tricky."[22]

The film was not without its detractors. Writing for theChicago Sun-Times,Roger Ebert,giving the film two and a half stars out of four, observed, "I didn't expectU.S. Marshalsto be the equal ofThe Fugitive,and it isn't. But I hoped it would approach the taut tension of the 1993 film, and it doesn't. It has extra scenes, needless characters, an aimless plot and a solution that the hero seems to keep learning and then forgetting. "[18]In a primarily negative review,Mick LaSalle,writing for theSan Francisco Chronicle,called the film "a bad idea to begin with." He noted his confusion with the plot, remarking, "the movie tells us from the beginning that the fugitive is not quite innocent. He killed two fellow agents in self-defense. All this does is muddy the moral waters, making us queasy about the one guy we like. At no point is there ever a compelling reason to keep watching."[23]Describing a mild negative opinion,James BerardinelliofReelViewsprofessed Marshal Gerard as exhibiting "only a token resemblance to the character who doggedly pursued Kimble inThe Fugitive.As re-invented here, Gerard is a generic action hero; most of the quirks that made him interesting (and that earned Jones an Oscar) are absent. With a few minor re-writes, John McClane from theDie Hardmovies could have been plugged into this role. "[24]

Snipes is luckless in the part, which merely demands a lot of scowling, then moving aside to let the stunt double take over. (The movie's other big treat features that nameless individual, who leaps off a building and swings, as if on a bungee cord, to a nearby station roof, then races after the train pulling out and leaps to land upon its roof; that's fun, but it's no movie in itself.)

—Stephen Hunter, writing inThe Washington Post[25]

Dissatisfied with the film's quality,Jonathan Rosenbaumof theChicago Readersaid that it was "Not so much a sequel toThe Fugitiveas a lazy spin-off that imitates only what was boring and artificially frenetic about that earlier thriller; the little that kept it interesting—Tommy Lee Jones's Oscar-winning inflections, better-than-average direction—is nowhere in evidence. "[26]Stephen Hunter,writing forThe Washington Post,reasoned, "It turns out to be one of those lame double-agent things where everybody's working for everybody else, the security of Taiwan (Taiwan!) is at stake, and it never quite lurches into clarity or acquires any real emotional punch. I didn't think the end ofThe Fugitivewas so great either: Who wants to watch doctors fistfight on a roof? But by the time it winds down,U.S. Marshalshas all but destroyed itself. "[25]Film criticMaitland McDonaghofTV Guidewas not consumed with the nature of the subject matter, declaring, "To every hit there is a season, and a time for every sequel under heaven – no matter what narrative contortions it takes." She later surmised, "The minute Gerard mocks Royce's 'nickel-plated sissy pistol,' it's clear they're headed for a cathartic showdown, and anyone who can't see which member of Gerard's merry band might as well be wearing a 'Dead Meat Walking' T-shirt really shouldn't be allowed to operate complicated machinery."[27]

Other media

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Novelization

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A novelization of the film,U.S. Marshals: A Novel,written byMax Allan Collins,was released on March 1, 1998.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcd"U.S. Marshals (1998)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  2. ^"U.S. Marshals Production Details".Yahoo! Movies.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2012.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  3. ^"U.S. Marshals: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".Amazon. 1998.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  4. ^"U.S. Marshals: Cast & Crew".MSN Movies. Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  5. ^"U.S. Marshals (1998) – DVD Widescreen".Barnes & Noble.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  6. ^"U.S. Marshals DVD".Barnes & Noble.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  7. ^U.S. Marshals [VHS] (1998).ISBN0790736403.
  8. ^"U.S. Marshals Blu-Ray".Barnes & Noble.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  9. ^"U.S. Marshals VOD Format".Amazon.Archivedfrom the original on March 5, 2016.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  10. ^"March 6-8, 1998 Weekend".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on December 31, 2012.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  11. ^"March 13-15, 1998 Weekend".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on July 8, 2015.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  12. ^"U.S. Marshals".The Numbers.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  13. ^"July 24-26, 1998 Weekend".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on April 7, 2013.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  14. ^"1998 DOMESTIC GROSSES".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2012.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  15. ^ab"U.S. Marshals".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on June 7, 2012.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  16. ^"U.S. Marshals (1998)".Rotten Tomatoes.Flixster.Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 24,2023.
  17. ^"CinemaScore".cinemascore.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2018.RetrievedJuly 13,2021.
  18. ^abEbert, Roger (March 6, 1998)."U.S. Marshals".Chicago Sun-Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2008.RetrievedDecember 16,2012.
  19. ^Shulgasser, Barbara (March 6, 1998).Entertaining action in "Marshals'ArchivedDecember 30, 2013, at theWayback Machine.The San Francisco Examiner.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  20. ^Howe, Desson (March 6, 1998).'U.S. Marshals' Gets Its ManArchivedJanuary 28, 2018, at theWayback Machine.The Washington Post.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  21. ^Smith, Russell (March 6, 1998).U.S. MarshalsArchivedDecember 31, 2013, at theWayback Machine.The Austin Chronicle.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  22. ^Gleiberman, Owen (1998).U.S. Marshals.Entertainment Weekly.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  23. ^LaSalle, Mick (March 6, 1998).'Marshals' Way Off The Mark / 'Fugitive' formula fails Jones, SnipesArchivedDecember 31, 2013, at theWayback Machine.San Francisco Chronicle.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  24. ^Berardinelli, James (March 6, 1998).U.S. MarshalsArchivedJuly 13, 2021, at theWayback Machine.ReelViews.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  25. ^abHunter, Stephen (March 6, 1998).'U.S. Marshals' Runs Out of SteamArchivedMarch 4, 2016, at theWayback Machine.The Washington Post.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  26. ^Rosenbaum, Jonathan (March 1998).U.S. MarshalsArchivedSeptember 23, 2015, at theWayback Machine.Chicago Reader.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  27. ^McDonagh, Maitland (March 1998).U.S. Marshals: Review.TV Guide.Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  28. ^Collins, Max (1998).U.S. Marshals: A Novel.Berkley Boulevard Books.ISBN978-0-425-16438-9.

Further reading

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