As regards to the film adaptation of Tom Clancy's 'The Hunt For Red October', it represents itself as a flawed, but competent Cold War thriller that both thought provokes, and stimulates the viewer with well directed action scenes thanks to the production guidance of the venerable John McTiernan of Die Hard fame.
However, as a viewer who represents the minority of voters who have actually read the novel and now viewed the motion picture, I am left feeling slightly disappointed that the film's producers chose to allow the film to pursue its own path in storyline, rather that following the firmly trodden tracks of Clancy's brilliant novel.
For instance, in the film adaptation the United States Navy steal most of the limelight in the pursuit and rescue of the crew of the Red October, whereas in the novel it is in fact the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier - HMS Invincible - that undertakes the pursuit at the request of the United States Government. Numerous different characters have therefore had to be created and/or altered in order to be compatible to an American audience.
It is this act of plot devolution by the film's producers that I cannot forgive and therefore cannot enjoy this movie as much as I would have with a bit more British involvement, rather than having to endure the usual American all-singing all-dancing, save the world jingoism that you get in this slightly average film adaptation of the brilliant Clancy novel.
If you are going to do something, it pays to do it properly I'm afraid. This film just turns out to be another American focused jingoistic yarn, equalling the likes of Air Force One (1997), which I despise.
6/10.
However, as a viewer who represents the minority of voters who have actually read the novel and now viewed the motion picture, I am left feeling slightly disappointed that the film's producers chose to allow the film to pursue its own path in storyline, rather that following the firmly trodden tracks of Clancy's brilliant novel.
For instance, in the film adaptation the United States Navy steal most of the limelight in the pursuit and rescue of the crew of the Red October, whereas in the novel it is in fact the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier - HMS Invincible - that undertakes the pursuit at the request of the United States Government. Numerous different characters have therefore had to be created and/or altered in order to be compatible to an American audience.
It is this act of plot devolution by the film's producers that I cannot forgive and therefore cannot enjoy this movie as much as I would have with a bit more British involvement, rather than having to endure the usual American all-singing all-dancing, save the world jingoism that you get in this slightly average film adaptation of the brilliant Clancy novel.
If you are going to do something, it pays to do it properly I'm afraid. This film just turns out to be another American focused jingoistic yarn, equalling the likes of Air Force One (1997), which I despise.
6/10.