Roger Ebert's opening (faulty) criticism

Critics love to lambaste this movie because (1.) it deviates too much from the original 1973 film "The Day of the Jackal" and (2.) because of the mounting nonsensical elements. But (1.) “The Jackal” was made to stand on its own in late 90’s cinema and (2.) why do other action thrillers like James Bond get a pass when it comes to ridiculous plot holes? Besides, many of the supposed nonsensical moments can easily be cleared up if you pay attention to the details; not all of them, of course, but many of them.

What I don’t like is the disingenuousness of many of the criticisms. For instance, Roger Ebert -- trying to be a smartaxx --opens his criticism of the film by mocking the way The Jackal (Bruce Willis) sneaks into the USA from Canada by purchasing a sailboat and entering a race from Mackinaw to Chicago. Ebert reasoned that there are easier ways to enter the US inconspicuously along the 3000-mile border, but he left out an important detail: The Jackal was smuggling a huge computerized machine gun and its formidable mount. THAT is why he bought the yacht and used the race as a means to enter the country unnoticeably amidst a crowd of other crafts. Aduh.