Review of The Hunt for Red October (1990) by Jake K — 08 May 2011

Personal Score: 10/10.

There have been several of the Tom Clancy films, with multiple stars taking hold of the Jack Ryan role. In my opinion, none of those films are quite at the level of the masterful thriller, The Hunt For Red October, and none of those actors did a better job as Jack Ryan than Alec Baldwin did in his lone film as this character. Now I know some may be crying foul that I'd ever say he is better than Harrison Ford is in, well, anything, but I'll try to clarify that as the review goes.

The film begins with Ryan, a writer and submarine expert for the CIA in this film, heading to CIA headquarters to enlighten General James Greer (James Earl Jones) about a new Russian typhoon-class submarine called the Red October. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that in the photographs of the sub there are small doors on its sides, which have a unknown purpose. Another issue is that the sub put to sea that very morning.

Ryan takes the photos, with the General's permission, to a former sub driver named Skip Tyler (Jeffrey Jones), who enlightens Ryan to the possibility that the Red October may have a nearly silent propulsion system, enabling it to avoid radar detection. This also means it could dispatch a payload of nuclear missles off the coast of the Eastern U.S. "and nobody would know anything about it 'til it was all over.".

Things escalate when the Red October's skipper, Capt. Marko Ramius (the utterly brilliant Sean Connery) unveils his plot to take this new sub to the United States. When word of this gets to the U.S., their first inclination is to believe that he's gone rogue and that he will attack the country, but Ryan believes otherwise. Knowing the details of certain aspects of Ramius' life, in particular that they are at the first anniversary of his wife's death, Ryan believes that Ramius may intend to defect, an assumption that proves to be correct.

Ryan, however, has to prove his theory correct in order for all to work out. His political superiors, for the most part, want no part of being involved in proving such a dangerous theory, but are willing to give him the chance to prove it. The Russians, on the other hand, knowing of Ramius' true intentions, will stop at nothing to capture the Red October and sink her to the bottom of the sea.

The Hunt For Red October is a splendid exercise in action and drama and espionage. One of the best of its kind. The acting is also top notch, and not just from Baldwin and Connery, but by the supporting cast which includes Scott Glen, the aforementioned James Earl Jones and Jeffrey Jones, Sam Neill, and many others.

Also, as I mentioned early on, I loved Baldwin's version of Jack Ryan. Baldwin plays Ryan as fiery, defiant, convicted, but definitely in a bit over his head. This was perfect for this film, and Baldwin was the perfect fit for this iteration. It is Connery, however, that steals the film, as he so often has. He plays Ramius as a man of deep sorrows but stern leadership and incredible skill and knowledge. He is positively magnetic.

The Hunt For Red October belongs on the short list of classic action films. Incredibly well-acted and extremely entertaining. This should not be missed.