The Ghost and the Darkness

When you decide to shoot an arrow in the middle of the beautiful and wild African countryside, it can easily turn into an awful mess. It matters little that veteran Goldsmith's haunting score provides the backdrop, that the bloodthirsty lions you're aiming at strike fear into onlookers at the slightest flicker in the tall grass, or that the unfortunates you're using as bait are the likeable Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas at the height of their powers, if you don't hit exactly the spot that ensures quality and a visually and emotionally unforgettable hunt instead of quantity and an uninteresting ending, you'd get mauled by critics plus environmentalists instead of lions. But marksman Hopkins hit so accurately that after the fifth thrilling viewing I can safely talk about the best pure-blooded, uncluttered, atmospheric and commercially unspoiled adventure film ever made in Hollywood. A thrilling adventure into the wilderness, the power of friendship and the scent of revenge, for which 76% is a punishingly low number. A little movie love of mine. 100% (24/04/2011)

A traditional adventure film, this time set in the late 19th century in Africa. I enjoy this genre, and it's rare to find films with this theme these days (with Tomb Raider as a notable exception). Looking at the cast, you can’t be disappointed. One thing puzzled me: how can they consider Kilmer a supporting character? He appears early on and doesn’t disappear, playing a central role until halfway through the film, at which point Douglas joins him, and they both become the main characters. And yet, Kilmer received a nomination for a Razzie, which slightly irritated me. Yes, Douglas probably gave a better performance, but Kilmer certainly didn’t deliver a bad one. The story about two not-so-ordinary lions feels original, and at times it offers almost a horror-like atmosphere with a tense mood. The scenes with these man-eaters are well-executed for a '90s film, properly bloody without embellishment, and the final showdown between Kilmer and the lion is well-built. Goldsmith’s music also does not disappoint. I give it a deserved 79%. (10/08/2018)

Val Kilmer has been in some solid movies, but his face never sticks with me enough to really remember him in any specific role. The Ghost and the Darkness pretty much falls into that same category—decent enough while you're watching it, especially with a wild-haired Michael Douglas thrown in, but two hours later it’s like the film just fades into the background of your memory. Maybe if I were an animal rights activist, I’d spend half the runtime crying, but as it stands, it’s just a movie that comes and goes without leaving much of an impression. (29/03/2011)

A brilliant atmosphere achieved through smart cinematography and captivating native music. The lions here are not animals, but mystical demons, and it works splendidly. There is fear in the moving tall grass, as well as in every chase that the charismatic Val Kilmer undertakes. The acting is very solid, and technically flawless. The scenes with the lions are perfectly shot. How they achieved such authenticity is truly hard to comprehend, and it deserves praise. A little bit of moralizing never hurts, and the confident hunter Michael Douglas brings both a healthy dose of insight and charisma in a supporting role. One of the best adventure films that doesn't pretend to be an over-the-top blockbuster, although it could easily be one with no major difficulties. (02/10/2006)