From the first frames of this interesting and somewhat offbeat movie, I found myself fascinated by the setting in the snow-graced forests of the Pacific northwest, where retired government martial-arts and assassin training expert Tommy Lee Jones walks with both grace and purpose through the winter splendor of the chilly landscape. However unlikely the action as depicted in the scenes, it was a marvelous set of opening scenes, providing a key insight into the lead character's humanity and perspective. Little would I know that this was perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this taut suspense thriller. Lee is soon whisked away almost involuntarily to help solve a pair of horrific murders of seasoned and well-armed hunters in the area, only to discover the assailant was one of the expert assassins he helped train. From there the mystery begins to deepen, and Lee finds himself locked into a death struggle on a number of levels both with the assassin, played well by the charismatic Benico Del Toro.
Del Toro's character is haunted by memories of atrocities he witnessed in Kosovo, and his former government handlers are trying to convince Lee that Del Toro has simply gone renegade. Yet there are signs that there may be some truth to Del Toro's suspicions, as told to Lee indicating that he had been set up, that the hunters he executed in the forest were in fact government assassins come to terminate him. The viewer is taken on a whirlwind ride through forest, suburb, and through a variety of cityscapes, and a few of the chase scenes are entertaining, amusing, and quite ingenuous. The plot sometimes suffers from more bullet holes than any of Del Toro's victims, but if you can suspend your critical faculties enough to enjoy the fireworks, you will likely enjoy this potboiler effort at government intrigue gone horribly wrong. Enjoy!

Three facts about this film help to make it highly-rated in my book: it's very entertaining, moves fast and lasts only 90 minutes.

So, if in the mood for a combination Fugitive/Rambo story with two very intense lead actors, this is a convenient diversion to play numerous times.

Tommy Lee Jones was the mentor who trained Benico Del Toro on the art of killing and now the ex-student has gone out of control and Jones must hunt him down, something the police can't seem to do. That's the story, simple as that. The only thing was a little implausible is that old man chasing down a kid for miles. Tommy Lee might be in shape, but he isn't young enough to do what he does here. However, both men are fun to watch and the action scenes are well done. You don't get bored watching this movie.

No, the film isn't high-grade mentality but it isn't totally stupid, either. It doesn't get carried and is pretty believable until the final chase scene. Along the way, we are treated the Portland cityscape and Northwest woods, both of which are nicely filmed and look great on this DVD.

If you're the type of person who doesn't like character development and plot cluttering up your movies, THE HUNTED is for you. It's cold, bleak, violent, and pretty much all action. Various synopses may lead you to believe it has a plot, and the film actually starts to build up to one, but essentially eschews it all in favor of Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio del Toro beating each other up for 90 minutes. The good thing is that this is a William Friedkin action film, so you know it's going to be graphic, gory, and very pulpy, with a good (although short-lived) car chase, and slightly arty direction. Honestly, though, I was very impressed how there was no music blaring away as Jones and del Toro stabbed the hell out of each other. Say what you will, I'm a big Friedkin fan, and I enjoyed this one.

The Hunted is the story of a loyal U.S. Military Special Forces team member sent on a
mission to assassinate one of the Serbian rebels.
The action is great and the story is great, but the message is that our own Government betrays
it's own military and really does leave them behind.
I know cause I come form a Military Family and I know others in special forces and U.S. Navy SEALS
that were highly decorated Silver star recipients and Purple Heart winners.
We need to support our men and women and give them special assignments after being exposed to
the truths about "War".
The female FBI agent was a total "fiction" and nothing like real agents. I know quite a few.Procedures and other techniques
were way off the scale and not done(It's only a movie right)
The character "LT" played by Tommy :Lee Jones was not as developed as is really used in training combat soldiers.
The Character trained soldiers for CQC type drills with a knife. The training is good, but without actual "experience", it is
useless for the field, unless you have a martial arts background.
The knife used or made was interesting, but many experts have debunked it as a throwing knife and just a partially well made survival knife.
All in all, it was a fun ride, but not very accurate but that is because the message was in another direction.
I also worked for the U.S. Secret Service, so I had to be a "counter-sniper" and "Counter-Terrorism Expert."
I also recommend a movie with Peter Coyote called "Le Grande Arte"(1991) which has some really cool knife fights and real fighting techniques. Enjoy !!