Hi to all you dedicated Jack Ryan fans out there.
My first introduction to Jack was the new film starring Chris Pine. He appeared to be all action - but Ford's interpretation appeared to be that of someone who was too afraid to carry a gun and bumbled about like an unfit office worker on an assault course.
I have never read any of the books so which actor is closest to the real guy? Thanks
Chris Pine is the post-Bourne, post-Ethan outlier. Right from the Alec Baldwin interpretation, Jack Ryan is supposed to primarily be an analyst and theoretical problem solver, very reluctant to go near the field. In the field he seems to have a relatively modest skillet and although he mans up slightly more in the Harrison Ford guise, he's still pretty mild mannered. Can't tell you what Ben Affleck's take on him was like, as I've been assured The Sum of All Fears is a waste of time. Nor can I tell you how faithful any of this is to Tom Clancy's books but I get the distinct impression the extra emphasis on character in the three 1990s films, means it's trying to stay in line with the source material.
"I apologise for my appearance, but I have had a difficult time these past several years."
That's a pretty good Summation of the Movie Versions of Dr Jack Ryan. Well I have read practically all of Tom Clancy Novels. Especially those featuring Jack Ryan as central Character. (There are others like Op Center & Net Force which don't).
So speaking to the Ryan in the Novels, well He's a straight Shooter who openly admits Diplomacy isn't his strongest Suit. Although Ryan in books is an Analyst at heart, he has repeatedly Manned up in face of Danger (Saving British Queen, Saving his Family subsequently from IRA). He does however admitted that he had just been to the head when IRA goons attacked his home!
Admittedly the guy does have a pretty short fuse. He has time and again exploded with rage when someone pushed his buttons. He is also ruthless where Responding in Kind or Retribution is concerned. When UIR goons spread Ebola in US, Ryan publicly televises Gun Camera footage of a Laser Guided bomb falling on the Clergy's Mosque. Read the Ryan Doctrine for more details.
So in short, he's not Jason' Bourne's Ruthless field Operator. Nor is he a Desk Jockey like George Smiley (by John le Carré). The closest Book version of Ryan comes is believe it or not, Ethan hunt. Now to the Obvious question, which Movie's version got it right ? Was it Baldwin, ford, Affleck or Pine ? Well, in my opinion, it was Baldwin who did get it right. Ford too did a good job of short tempered Ryan in Clear and Present Danger. But like Clancy said, he was too old at 52 for a 37 year old Ryan in this movie. Chris Pine ? Well he seems more like Jack Ryan Jr. The second child of Original Ryan. The later novels of Ryanverse do show that Jack Jr is quiet the character. As to Affleck's version, like Concise_Statement was told, Affleck didn't have the foggiest Idea.
Sum of All Fears was a decent movie. It simplified the story, turned it into a prequel, but it's still enjoyable.
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If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!
Of the three main spy films released in 2002 : The Sum of All Fears, The Bourne Identity and Die Another Day - it seems Bourne did, by far, the best job in tapping into that post 9-11, War on Terror fear and government scepticism in the public consciousness during this time.
The Sum of All Fears is largely forgettable and Die Another Day is actually an enjoyably colourful adventure but somewhat infamous and undoubtedly running in the other direction of real world political paranoia with its comicbook sensibilities. Only Bourne has stood the test of time.
"I apologise for my appearance, but I have had a difficult time these past several years."
By all means, read the books.
I think Ford best encompasses the down-deep character of Ryan; his morality and sense of justice. Baldwin did a good job, he was closer to Ryan's given age, and he depicted the "analyst thrust into the field" reluctance of Ryan, but his portrayal just seemed a little too slick to me. His pushback in the Cabinet briefing scene was very Ryanesque, plus it made a great setup for one of my favorite movie lines; James Earl Jones as Adm. Greer: "I know I said speak your mind, Jack, but Jesus!"
Chris Pine would have been a great choice for John Clark, CIA asset nonpareil. At least, he would be a good choice for Clark at the beginning of his CIA career. (Without Remorse is the book that details Clark's backstory)