ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610150006
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
"The Ghost and the Darkness" is a fair adventure film. It might have been better, but poor casting and oddly bad acting undermine a solid, fact-based plot.
James Patterson (Val Kilmer) is a Scottish engineer who's sent to Africa in 1896 to build a railroad bridge. It's a huge, potentially career-building (or career-ending) project. Patterson has to guide a multiracial work force in a remote hostile environment. Beyond the sheer scope of the project, he must deal with disease and constant pressure from his tyrannical employer. Then there are the lions.
Without revealing too much of William Goldman's story, workers in the camp are attacked by the animals, and it's up to Patterson to handle the problem. He does, despite his lack of experience with Africa. At first his enthusiasm, ambition and sheer will are enough to win the respect and obedience of his workers. But, of course, that's not enough.
When matters take a more serious turn, Remington (Michael Douglas), the proverbial "great white hunter" appears with a band of Massai warriors.
The body of the film concerns the two men's learning to work together against an enemy that seems almost supernaturally intelligent and cunning. Yes, it's essentially the same story that was told in "Jaws." In fact, one key scene is virtually a direct quote. But it's a good story, so why quibble? Hollywood steals from itself all the time.
The problem is a profound lack of screen chemistry between the two stars. Kilmer has seldom been more stiff and aloof. His flashy good looks and strong profile are all wrong for the part. Douglas, on the other hand, plays his grizzled old outdoorsman as a virtual caricature, trying perhaps to fill all the empty space that Kilmer leaves. Their big scenes together have no real emotion.
Director Stephen Hopkins ("Predator 2," "Judgment Night") fares little better with the hunting scenes. They're sometimes clumsily staged, with uncomfortable physical action that never fully involves the viewer.
The African settings are well realized and the film has all the polish of a big-budget studio production. But it's still a formula adventure story that doesn't come close to testing the limits of the genre.
The Ghost and the Darkness **
A Paramount release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View 6. 110 minutes. Rated R for graphic violence, strong language.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB