After recently re-watching “Patriot Games”, followed by “Clear and Present Danger”, I realized that “The Hunt for Red October” is undoubtedly the superior film in the Jack Ryan franchise.

Not only does October have a much more interesting story line that maintains a constant level of suspense, it has quiet possibly the most attractive male cast ever assembled (Alec Baldwin, Sean Connery, Sam Neill, etc.). The second and third films in the Jack Ryan series are very good too; they just don’t compare to the original. Perhaps it’s because the first film is so completely different than it’s sequels.

October is basically a very exciting submarine movie dealing with the strategic games men play in war, hot or cold. The later installments deal mostly with political intrigue, and although there is some terrific action in both films, neither lives up to the edge of your seat underwater sequences in the first film.

This ultimately leads to the best ending of the three films. (MILD SPOILER ALERT!) After a lot of cat and mouse deception, Ryan helps execute a grand ruse that ensures the playing field of World Power will remain level - at least for now. The ending manages a tricky accomplishment: it satisfies while it entices, leaving the audience content and wanting more. All films should be required to do the same.         

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