ONE PING. Review on Hunt For Red October, The Movie

Can three sexy guys make a fantastic movie without having a woman in it? You bet!

Can three sexy guys make you drool even if there is no love scene to watch? You bet!

Can three sexy guys make you forget about sex and think only about a Russian nuclear submarine? YOU BET!

I’m talking about Sean Connery (Russian Captain Marko Ramius), Scott Glenn (American Commander Bart Mancuso) and Alec Baldwin (Jack Ryan in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.

Most people might argue that it would be impossible to sneak a Russian nuclear submarine into the waters off North America without being detected, but what if that Russian sub had a stealth system like our new fighter plane?

In this film version of Tom Clancy’s awesome book, The Hunt for Red October, just such a situation takes place.

Russia Captain Ramius has a reputation for being a hard-nosed submarine Captain who follows orders without question. His assignment is to take his newly commissioned submarine (Red October) with its “silent caterpillar drive” for its maiden voyage. However, Captain Ramius has other ideas. He faces a challenge. Does he follow orders or does let America know the Russians have made such a wonderful but stealthy warship?

During normal patrols of our international waterways, Commander Bart Mancuso is told by his sonar operator that he “sort of hears something” that doesn’t sound right. It’s quite, too quiet, but still, he has “this feeling”. Listening more carefully, the operator tells his Commander he’s positive it’s a Russian sub and convinces him to follow it.

Upon fearing that there is a potential threat by the Russians, CIA Agent Jack Ryan is sent to investigate. Commander Mancuso asks Ryan who in the Russian Navy would be the most capable man to operate such a highly, technical piece of equipment. Ryan tells him there is only one man, Captain Ramius. But something is wrong with that picture.

He knows Ramius. He’s met Ramius. The Russian Captain would never take part in a sneak attack against The United States. Commander Mancuso argues that it’s no mistake that a Russian sub in heading straight for American shores. He, sarcastically, reminds Ryan that Ramius is a Russian!

Meanwhile, Captain Ramius has a plot of his own. He wants to ensure world peace but will this mean defection? And if so, how can he defect with a sub full of Russian sailors who have sworn loyalty to their country?

Russia, realizing that the Red October has gone off course, orders its Navy to find and sink the warship. The United States, fearing an attack, orders the same.

Jack Ryan pleads with Commander Mancuso to wait and give Captain Ramius a chance to make contact. Can he convince the Commander to hold off sinking the Red October? Can they save the sub before the Russians sink it?

Can such a thing really happen in today’s world? Or is this a figment of Tom Clancy’s wonderful world of fiction?

The tension in this movie will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and more than likely, biting your nails. While I wouldn’t actually call this and “action movie”, there are a few scenes where the action and special effects will have you sit up straight and not blink because you won’t want to miss one nanosecond of what’s coming next.

Our three sexy guys have created roles so believable that’s it difficult thinking their only “acting”.

Connery makes you forget he’d ever been James Bond!

Glenn emits that stern look on his face that seems to say, “Nobody better play around with MY country!”

And Baldwin! Ah, what can you say about Baldwin? As Ryan, he’s the epitome of what you’d want a CIA agent to be: intelligent, convincing, political, democratic and – human – being eager to learn more about his adversaries.

What more can I say? When I first saw this picture, I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to see it only because of the fact that it had three of my favorite actors. After watching it, the picture easily became one of my favorites that I watch periodically (as soon as it went on tape, I had to buy it).

The only thing I can add is that if you haven’t already seen this picture, you’ve missed out on something fantastic. Go rent it! Sit back (for a while) and enjoy it. I’m sure you’ll come to the same conclusion I have.

You don’t need love scenes to have three sexy guys sweep you off your feet. Just put them in uniform! (LOL)