TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Mexican" (2001), 7 p.m., ABC. A great cast combines for an OK adventure-comedy film. Brad Pitt is supposed to retrieve a valuable pistol in Mexico. The schemes involve Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini. All have been in better things, but they have their moments here.

"Apollo: Race Against Time," 5 p.m., and "Apollo 13" (1995), 6 p.m., History Channel. This is spacecraft weekend on History (the documentary "Beyond the Moon" airs tomorrow). "Apollo 13," superbly directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, captures calm heroism surrounding a wounded spacecraft. But today's documentary — "Race Against Time," about the restoration of Apollo artifacts — is less enthralling. Parts of this — talking with astronauts — are OK. Other parts are about as interesting as watching two guys discuss hammers.

OF NOTE

"Independence Day" (1996), 1, 6 p.m., Bravo. TV never seems to tire of showing this so-so movie about evil aliens. Visually, it's terrific. The plot, alas, is impossible to believe, even by science-fiction standards.

Football, 2 p.m., CBS. This pre-season game has the Indianapolis Colts on the Denver Broncos' field.

"Fargo" (1996), 7 p.m., E!. This classic film beautifully captures the matter-of-fact style of the upper Midwest, amid murder and more.

"Crossing Jordan," 7 p.m., and "Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's a fun crossover. It starts when a plane from Las Vegas lands in Boston, with a dead gambler and $3 million. That means Woody and Jordan have jurisdiction. In the second hour, they're in Las Vegas. The acerbic cynicism of the Boston crowd collides with the bubbly Vegas mood.

"Death Becomes Her" (1992), 7 p.m., Pax. Meryl Streep is obsessed with her looks and Goldie Hawn is obsessed with revenge in this comedy. There are lots of sight gags, the movie having won an Oscar for special effects, but it all tends to be too broad and blunt.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. A cult seems to encourage sex between adults and children.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Paris Hilton hosts, with music by Keane.

TONIGHT ON KHNL NEWS 8

Get the latest news and weather at 6 and 10 from News 8’s Diane Ako and Paul Drewes, plus sports with Reid Shimizu.