There are two things that I do not like at all. Spy stories and Cold War stories. Although this isn’t a spy story, it is decidedly a Cold War Thriller. I know that many people like this movie and I am really sorry to say that I found it so boring, that watching it until the end was really, really hard. Plus Sean Connery. I am not too fond of him and I really hate Sam Neill. Still, I can see how one could like it but it was definitely not my cup of tea and I will never ever watch it again.
The Hunt for Red October is based on a novel by Tom Clancy. The basic plot line is the decision of the best Russian sub commander, Cpt Ramius (Sean Connery), to defect with his submarine the Red October (yes, a subtle allusion to the October Revolution and, yes again, the movie is full of such subtleties). The Red October is one huge submarine. The biggest submarine in the world. Additionally it is equipped with a silent jet water propulsion system which enables the sub to evade sonar detection.
Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin), a sub expert for the CIA, has detected the system and he will be the advisor during this “Cold War goes Speed 3” enthrallment (sorry, I can’t help being sarcastic but I will try to pull myself together from now on). He thinks from the beginning that Ramius might not plan to attack the US as everybody fears but that he might want to defect with a group of his fellow officers.
Things get nasty and complicated when the whole Russian fleet starts to hunt the Red October. The Commander of the Russian fleet is played by Stellan Skarsgrad who is always great to watch even though this is just a very small role.
Tensions are high all through the movie, the chase is action-packed, the acting probably not bad if you like the actors. But, as said, I am not into Cold War movies. And the language bit was very annoying. First the Russian crew talks Russian – believe it or not – and then they switch to English which doesn’t heighten realism but feels like a parody.
The IMDb rate is 7.6/10. Mine would be overall 1.5/5. Slick, glossy and VERY boring.
All About War Movies 
Why did you watch a movie you knew you would not like? It’s not like you were forced to watch it like me and “The English Patient”. I think you secretly like Sean Connery and detest him in print to throw us off. That is my theory. Here are some war movies I recommend to you: The Longest Day, The Hill, A Bridge Too Far, and The Man Who Would Be King. All great movies with one thing in common.
Who says I was not forced? On the other hand I’m always open, I thought maybe I would still like it as I heard it was very well done which it was. I have seen a few of his movies in which I did like him.
Did you figure out what the one thing in common is?
I did
I did not mind Connery in A Bridge Too Far or in The Longest Day unfortuately I haven’t seen the other two. Any good?
You don’t like spy movies???! How about Farewell. Oh wait, that’s Cold War. I’m not a fan of that era either but the movie is really very good.
I don’t know it but usually I’m open. I have more of a problem with Cold War than spy movies. Unfortunately the topics are often combined. In any case, thanks for the recommendation, I will look it up.
I have not seen The Hill yet, but have heard good things about it. I know you read my review for “The Man Who Would Be KIng”. I think it has too much Connery for you unless you are a big Micheal Caine fan.
I have no problem with Michael Caine, I quite like him.
iraq wars in 1990 about fillm
I’m not sure, I understand.