Nineties Harrison Ford might be the best Harrison Ford. The Nineties in general offer some movies that are forgotten but really good. Sure, they’re nothing too revolutionary, but a lot of the solid box office performers of the nineties provide some solid storytelling. The first three movies in the Jack Ryan franchise, two of which star Ford, show this off as well as any—We’ll get to the other two in a moment. The Franchise, in general, provides a fun watch and displays very strong writing.
Lets actually go back a bit further to The Hunt For Red October. The first of The Ryan movies, which stars Alec Baldwin in the title role, and Sean Connery opposite him as the captain of a newly minted high tech Soviet submarine, though not as a true antagonist. Connery and his crew go AWOL with their new stealth submarine which in turns sends the United States and the USSR into an absolute frenzy. While of course, all the members of the high command of the US military believe it’s an act of war our Alec Baldwin played Jack Ryan has another idea and gets a short window to try and prove if it’s true or not. This movie and two more in the franchise offer a true glimpse at why the 4K restoration of older movies is so great. How many people from the millennial generation have probably seen Red October? Not many would probably be a solid guess. This movie was just plain fun and was from top to bottom a solid movie. It’s above just being a background movie, though I wouldn’t put it into must-watch can’t get tickets category. You could question Sean Connery playing a Soviet captain but it’s not the weirdest role he’s played (looking at you Highlander). Plus, while he doesn’t sound the part, he sure does look it. Baldwin also brings some great charm to the title role as well. Red October will not disappoint.
The Next two in the Ryan franchise, Patriot Games, and Clear and Present Danger. Continue to enjoyable ride started by Red October. This time we have Harrison Ford as Ryan, and in Harrison Ford fashion he does not disappoint. The latter of the two Ford movies involves a more personal revenge-based plot as he goes toe to toe with an Irish radical played by Sean Bean (I know, Eddard Stark and Han Solo in the same movie, what a treat). Ford plays the character with a little less schoolboy charm than Baldwin, but this isn’t a negative, he just brings his own great flavor to the role. Like Red October, Patriot Games isn’t going to win an Oscar, but it does well enough to keep you thoroughly entertained while watching it. Just overall solid fundamental filmmaking.
By the time we get to Clear and Present Danger—Also Staring Ford—We’ve seen Ryan deal with the USSR, and Irish radicals. Now we get to see him deal with arguably his most dangerous foe in the United States executive branch in a plot clearly inspired by Iran-Contra (though sadly without the entertaining testimony of Oliver North). Ford and everyone else involved with the prior movies, and the new hands provide another fun and entertaining ride. Also, Willam Defoe…That is all.
Now we get to poor Ben Affleck and The Sum of All Fears. Anytime you have to follow in the footsteps of an all-time great it’s going to be tough (See Denver Broncos QB’s in recent years). Affleck gives it the old college try in this film dealing with a missing nuclear weapon and a neo-nazi plot, but ultimately this addition just falls short of what you come to expect. It should also be noted that this is the first of the Ryan films to not involve writer Donald E. Stewart, so maybe that had something to do with it. Whereas the first three films rise above the level of background images while you go about your daily tasks, this one is smack dab in that category.
Finally, we have Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, which is actually not based on a Tom Clancy novel…Maybe they should have stuck to that blueprint. Chris Pine is in the lead role this time and is by far the best looking Jack Ryan, but like Sum of All Fears, this movie lacks the fun and intriguing issues that the first three had. Once again you also have an actor trying to follow in the footsteps of an all-time great actor so it’s tough and maybe a bit unfair to compare, but it happens naturally none the less. Not an awful watch but not selling point of the whole set. There’s a feeling they could’ve gotten away with just including the first three but had to include the complete set.
As for the 4K, what more is there to say that the movies look really good. Harrison Ford in 4K? Yes. Sean Connery’s beard in 4K? Even better. As noted, the revival of older movies into 4K provides us an opportunity to see and re-see movies we may have forgotten about. It shouldn’t be the only selling point, the movie itself should be, but it is always an excellent addition. In the Case of The Jack Ryan Collection, the first three movies would provide all the reason you would want. They have fun plots that are built upon by their now enhanced resolution. They easily overcome whatever that last two films lack. The Collection would be a solid addition to a growing 4K collection.
