The Hunt for Red October

E

McTiernan is a master, and this film is just oozing style through every orifice. Sure, it's a silly Tom Clancy adaptation, but the performances are stellar and McT's personal study in cinema gives him an edge over other action directors. 'I cut my teeth in european films'; tell that to Joe silver or Luc Besson.

Ethan

My all time favorite submarine movie. Sean Connery is still badass even if his Russian accent sounds a little Scottish. As a matter of fact, John McTiernan was pretty liberal with his actors when it came to having the proper accents. All that aside this movie is still pretty badass.

João Eça

In one of the last scenes Sean Connery (a soviet) and Alec Baldwin (an american) talk about fishing and childhood. That's the most interesting scene of the film, because nations and politics aside both characters discover humanity in each other. Not enough to save a routine war flick full of McTiernan's frantic and annoying camera movements.

Dave

This would be my favorite McTiernan movie and deserves a place in my 90s list. Even if I am a sucker for Cold War movies, regardless, this is just an incredibly well-made film. I won't try and compare to some other lauded sub movies, but I do know that in terms of personal enjoyment, this one ranks above all those others.

mjgildea

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. For a movie my dad dragged me to when I was 15 it holds up well. Nearly 25 years later I can definitely appreciate The Hunt for Red October much more. Connery is a goliath, dwarfing everyone else who shares a scene with him. Baldwin's impressions were funny but he's definitely miscast here. McTiernan's direction is intermittently iffy for me but it works here. Second viewing was much better.

Victoria L.

Even though the cast is "heavy", the cinematography is as good as it could be at the given time and one could easily put a full stop right there, I got the impression that the story was somewhat insulting to both parties and eventually its audience. As if warfare is a fun game on the hands of likeable characters that we should look upon or even sympathize with.

Alan Funkle

terrific and a believable defection movie. Sad that alec baldwin feels his movie career is a failure and he didnt do any good movies, I would say this and beetlejuice are my favorite baldwin films, I even liked him in the shadow. Its a huge sign of respect for me as harrison ford is my favorite actor, I like Baldwin better as Jack Ryan however. One of the greatest sub movies ever made other than das boot.

Spencer Draper

If only "action" films were as well done as this today. It is unbelievably good-you just can't help it. And yes, Connery is supposed to be a Soviet submarine commander-and it works.