U.S. Marshals is a very good action thriller, with two very charismatic stars and a great plot, which just happens to be the quote-unquote "sequel" to another very good action thriller with two very charismatic stars and a great plot. It's not that it's a bad movie; as a matter of fact, it's one of the best I've seen in a long time. It also seems like it's not the first time I've seen it.

The quirky "big dog" United States Marshal Sam Gerrard was the character that made me really like Tommy Lee Jones, and he's back and better than ever. Even Sammy's team, Cosmo, Biggs, and the kid, Newman, are all there. Everybody's back, everybody's happy. So what's the problem? It's The Fugitive all over again.

The plot is essentially the same -- Sammy and his crack team have to chase down an escaped prisoner who may or may not be guilty of murder... with a few added extras, like the guy's a trained government agent, and Sammy has to deal with a new team member, the undependable federal agent assigned to the case (played by Robert Downey, Jr.). Nothing's changed here. Sammy still loves to take control of the situation (the pain is evident on his face when the inept sheriff tries unsuccessfully to emulate his speech shortly after the prisoner escapes); Cosmo's still complaining about his various clothing items (this time it's his sunglasses); and Newman's still getting picked on as the kid, the youngest one in the group (in the bar, they order him milk). Not only that, but the movie's plot is the same, the developments are the same. Of course, you know Wesley Snipes is innocent, and he just needs a chance to prove it.

A few of the high points are the shootout in the cemetary, the spectacular chase scene through the streets of Washington, D.C., and the chase through the old folks' home... There's enough new to keep it from being a total repeat, but it still has a few traces of the first one in it (both have huge collision scenes where the prisoner escapes from the prison vehicle, they both include a sensational jump from a high place). And, of course, Wesley Snipes, no matter how prestigious an actor, cannot possibly hope to compete with Harrison Ford. Probably the best way to put it over is this old addage: "It's great if you haven't seen the first one."