We need more eggheads like this Ryan.
Late inThe Hunt for Red October, a sweatyJack Ryansqueezes through a tube.
Yeah, like me.
I dont react well to bullets.
Its easy to understand Ryans frustration.
Now hes got to stop a KGB agent from blowing up the nuclear sub.
In short, Jack Ryan is exactly the wrong man to be the lead in a John McTiernan movie.
Which is why hes perfect, especially when played byAlec Baldwin.
The only people Ryan needed to impress were those who knew him; he cared little for the rest.
He had no ambition to celebrity.
In the preceding passage, the narrator describes Ryan feeling awkward in the suit purchased by his wife.
Which is, of course, the appeal of Clancys character.
Most recently,John Krasinskistarred in four seasons of theJack Ryantelevision series, also (you guessed it!)
a reboot, and will return for upcoming films.
With each of these iterations, Ryans action hero cred gets pushed further and further to the fore.
Krasinski continues that look, which is useful as his Ryan straight up performs black-ops missions overseas.
Hence Baldwins Ryan isnt special just because he best embodies the spirit of the Tom Clancy novels.
Hes also special because he stands out against most movie action heroes.
Mind Over Muscles
Jack Ryans first action scene comes 90 minutes intoThe Hunt for Red October.
McTiernan drops the slick, assured camera movements that mark the rest of the movie for an almostveritestyle.
In the middle of it all is Ryan, hanging from a cord.
Make no mistake, Ryan isnt helpless.
Which are exactly the qualities that make Ryan the hero ofRed October.
Hes the only one wary enough to fight to realize that their choices could lead to another world war.
Hell move when he has to but hes wise enough to realize when that need arises and no sooner.
Those heroes will look a lot like Jack Ryan as played by Alec Baldwin.
