The Package

Directed by Andrew Davis, The Package follows military man Johnny Gallagher (Gene Hackman) as he’s tasked with escorting a prisoner (Tommy Lee Jones’ Thomas Boyette) and subsequently finds himself embroiled in a massive conspiracy. It’s a decidedly foolproof setup that’s employed to predominantly engaging and entertaining effect by Davis, as the filmmaker, armed with John Bishop’s screenplay, delivers a briskly-paced piece of work that benefits from its smattering of electrifying sequences and raft of above-average performances – with, in terms of the latter, Hackman’s completely (and predictably) commanding efforts matched by a roster of such top-tier character actors as John Heard, Dennis Franz, and Reni Santoni. (Jones’ brief yet memorable turn as the movie’s menacing heavy remains a highlight, as well.) There’s little doubt, as well, that the use of real-life Chicago locations enhances the impact of several key interludes and set-pieces, and although the movie does suffer from a slight lull in the buildup to the admittedly electrifying climax, The Package, for the most part, comes off as a solid, compulsively watchable thriller that falls right in line with other similarly-themed endeavors within Davis’ filmography.

*** out of ****