Kevin's Watch

So I watched Firewall last night, and it occurred to me that 'ol Harry hasn't put out a good movie since 1994's Clear and Present Danger (and even that's pushing it).

Was he always just about the hype? I mean, he's never been a DeNiro, but he was at least in some decent films, and he was entertaining.

Is it just me? Am I expecting too much from Han Solo?

Ford is overrated.

Harrison was absolutely great at what he did, and he was not overhyped. Directors and producers recognized his talent for what it was, and capitalized on it.

Basically, he's an everyman/hero type of personality. Unlike Arnold, or Sylvester, or any other action hero characters, he also comes across as a regular joe trying to figure the world out, and audiences are able to readily empathise with whateer character he plays.

Why is he gone? I imagine because he's old enough to retire, wealthy enough to not need to work, and too long in the tooth to play the action hero any more. Also, he's a reclusive person at heart, and he's not one to seek the limelight for limelight's sake.

Too bad there's no chance we'll ever hear him say, Hellfire!

Maybe he's busy with....hmm. I don't know. Maybe he's just too old to play his usual roles, but isn't ready to be the old guy in a flick. All I know is he was damn good in the 70's and 80's.

Ford would only make 1 movie per year in his prime, which was smart because he never became over exposed to the public. At one point, his movies had earned more money at the box office than any other actor ever (AFAIK this is still true today.)

Ford will always be popular to those of us who grew up with Star Wars and Indiana Jones. However, he's too old to appeal to young people now.

I did hear that another Indiana Jones movie was in the planning stages, but I'm not sure where that is today.

I think either he or producers/directors/writers have oversold the "everyman" thing.

I have high hopes for the new Indy, but we shall see.

I agree, I don't think Ford's 'regular guy' persona rings true anymore. Or at least, it's wearing pretty thin. Nowadays, I can't help but see him as a complacent Hollywood star showing up in films just for the big, fat paycheque. But during the '80s, he was definitely my main male screen hero.

The last Ford movie I saw at theatres was What Lies Beneath. It was refreshing to see him as the villain for once, and the movie had its scary moments, but overall it was nothing really special. For me, the last truly outstanding Ford movie was 1992's Patriot Games. Wow, was it that long ago? I loved it. I think it's by far the best of the Jack Ryan "series."

I still look forward to Indy 4. If anyone can resuscitate my interest in Ford, it's Spielberg (and Lucas). Did anyone else watch the recent AFI Tribute to George Lucas? Ford got on stage and made a pretty funny speech, at the end of which he addressed Lucas and Spielberg in the audience with a mock plea: "George! You need to hurry up with the Indy script before Sean Connery gets too old to play my dad!" That was nice.

I thought Ford and Carrie Fisher stole the show with their respective speeches. Even William Shatner made an appearance. The whole thing was a treat for this Star Wars fan.

For me, the last truly outstanding Ford movie was 1992's Patriot Games. Wow, was it that long ago? I loved it. I think it's by far the best of the Jack Ryan "series."

meh - I liked Red October better, and even thought Alec Baldwin made a better Jack Ryan.

Cail-You didn't like What Lies Beneath? I thought he was damm good in that...I thought he was much better than MM makes him out to be in that one

When I think of the question "What happened to Harrison Ford?" I have to wonder is it Harrison or the Movies themselves? Is he delivering a bad performance or is it the roles he choosing? The most recent film I saw was K-19. Not a terrific film but there was nothing wrong with Ford's performance. My wife forced me to watch Random Hearts on Lifetime......ugh... anyway though the film was a touchy feely love story Ford's performance was on par. I haven't noticed that Ford has mailed in any performances so maybe its just a string of lackluster films. I also have interest in INDY 4. We'll have to see how that goes. It'll probably be terrific but you never know.

I usually don't think of Ford as an actor--maybe a monument or a brand name. He's starred in two cultural phenomena: Star Wars and Indiana Jones. And while his acting skills don't approach the like of a Brando or Toshiro Mifune, I must give the man props for his performance in Blade Runner. That movie alone would immortalize any other actor. For Ford, it's a minor notch in the belt.

Interesting, dlb...I saw Hunt For Red October when it came out, but it didn't make a big impression on me. No complaints about the cast. The movie just didn't feel involving.

There are a number of reasons why I enjoyed Patriot Games more, but it could boil down to something as simple (or complicated) as the cinematography. I love the look of Patriot Games as much as anything else.

Clear and Present Danger was an okay movie, but not nearly as gripping as Patriot Games. Maybe it was its more complex plot that was the problem, but Danger left me a little confused about what exactly was going on.

I didn't see Sum Of All Fears in theatres, but only recently caught it on TV. It was pretty compelling. I found myself liking it a lot, even with Ben Affleck around.

I really should try to read at least one Tom Clancy novel. I'm just a lazy reader of fiction these days.

danlo, I did think Ford's performance in What Lies Beneath was good. The movie itself just seemed average. It didn't stay with me after I left the theatre.

Very valid point, TOM. Could be that all the recent mediocre movies are just making Ford look bad...so does that mean he's lost his skill for choosing roles that fit him? I avoided K-19 because of all the horrible reviews it got and comments about Ford's dubious Russian accent. So maybe not the wisest role for him to have taken. But maybe we should commend him for taking a chance with that role. Hard to say.

Good points from you, too, LF. Yes, he was very fine in Blade Runner.

Actually, I liked K-19, but then again I like submarine movies in general.

What Lies Beneath was good, and Michelle Pfeiffer is her hottest ever in that movie.

MM, Clear and Present Danger was a great book but lousy movie, mostly because the screen writers butchered the book. Sum of all Fears is outstanding as a book, but sub-par as a movie, but it could be my intense hatred of all things Affleck that leads me to feel that way.

Ford was excellent in Mosquito Coast and Witness. most after that seems to be genre stuff, aimed to make Ford the next action star. all of the action stars from his era are too old in the roles now.

sgtnull wrote:Ford was excellent in Mosquito Coast and Witness. most after that seems to be genre stuff, aimed to make Ford the next action star. all of the action stars from his era are too old in the roles now.

I was just about to bring up those two movies, but you beat me to it. Yes, he was great in both of those.

And what about American Grafitti?

I am not looking forward to Indy 4. I have no need to see one of my all time favorite characters needing icy hot ointment or electric heating pads after attempting any sort of action scenes.

What about one of his first, after American Graffitti: Force Ten From Navarone-I LOVE that movie! Then again I love all Alistair McClean adaptations: Guns of Navarone(Burton/Niven), Where Eagles Dare(Burton/Eastwood/Kennedy), Breakheart Pass(Bronson), The Gold Bug(Baseheart), The Puppet Masters, etc...

Hated WLB, enjoyed K-19 (but his accent was horrible).

Yeah, he's definitely collecting a paycheck now.

I think Wayfriend, Dlb and MM have good points there. I liked Red October, but more for Connery than anything else.

--A

<--- action movie avoider

Did Connery and Ford work together on Red October before Indy 3? Have they done anything else together?

Nope, Alec Baldwin was in HfRO.

They were a good pair in Indy 3. It's a shame they didn't do anything else together.