Five for Friday, Vol. 22: Favorite Harrison Ford Movies*
OK, Harrison Ford has been making the rounds this week to promote his latest movie. It makes me all nostalgic for some past movies - especially since a few favorites have been on cable lately. So, here are my favorite Harrison Ford *non Star Wars, non Indiana Jones movies (otherwise the list would come entirely from those two sagas).
1. The Fugitive - This was a tough choice with number 2. But in the end, he created a believable Dr. Kimble that didn't seem like Han Solo or Indiana (which is the tough part in ant Ford movie since those were iconic roles). This is a solidly entertaining chase flick, made more so by Ford and Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones.
2. Blade Runner - This is a cult classic since it was memorable for its vision of the future but was too dark to be a box office hit (at the time). Ford is the cop and again, successful in not being a Han Solo.
3. Regarding Henry - Touching role against type as Ford is a bad lawyer who suffers brain damage after being shot in the head. I know its easy to say that great actors always seem to play mentally disabled characters when they want to go against type. But this was well done because his character didn't start the movie in this condition. Should've been an Oscar nomination.
4. Clear and Present Danger - Ford plays Jack Ryan in this, his second appearance as the CIA superman, now being the honorable, honest man amongst dishonorable, dishonest politicians (and drug lords). The alley ambush of Ford's convoy is a well done action sequence.
5. What Lies Beneath - Again, Ford goes against his good guy, Everyman type as in the ending twist, it is revealed he's the bad guy. He is creepy bad as in any good horror/thriller, he gets what he deserves in the end.
Honorable Mention:
Presumed Innocent
Mosquito Coast
Witness
1. The Fugitive - This was a tough choice with number 2. But in the end, he created a believable Dr. Kimble that didn't seem like Han Solo or Indiana (which is the tough part in ant Ford movie since those were iconic roles). This is a solidly entertaining chase flick, made more so by Ford and Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones.
2. Blade Runner - This is a cult classic since it was memorable for its vision of the future but was too dark to be a box office hit (at the time). Ford is the cop and again, successful in not being a Han Solo.
3. Regarding Henry - Touching role against type as Ford is a bad lawyer who suffers brain damage after being shot in the head. I know its easy to say that great actors always seem to play mentally disabled characters when they want to go against type. But this was well done because his character didn't start the movie in this condition. Should've been an Oscar nomination.
4. Clear and Present Danger - Ford plays Jack Ryan in this, his second appearance as the CIA superman, now being the honorable, honest man amongst dishonorable, dishonest politicians (and drug lords). The alley ambush of Ford's convoy is a well done action sequence.
5. What Lies Beneath - Again, Ford goes against his good guy, Everyman type as in the ending twist, it is revealed he's the bad guy. He is creepy bad as in any good horror/thriller, he gets what he deserves in the end.
Honorable Mention:
Presumed Innocent
Mosquito Coast
Witness
posted by JP at 5:47 AM
4 Comments:
Sorry Jon, I have to disagree with the addition of Clear and Present Danger in your top five. Sure, Ford played the part well, but I'm convinced he was miscast. Alec Baldwin was the perfect Jack Ryan - Baldwin was a believable younger guy trying to make his mark in the CIA organization, not the unbelievable older Ford whose casting brought to my mind a career mid-level, risk-adverse-looking-to-retire manager. As it was, I never was able to suspend disbelief enough to "buy” into" the movie.
Also, what about Ford's very first movie, where he played the out-of-town bad guy? Classic!
Good point on Ford's Ryan. If I remember correcly, Tom Clancy thought the same thing. I thought Ford did the righteous indignation thing well when he discovered what the cronies were doing. He also plays the non-political thing up well.
As for his early movie as a bad guy. I think you're talking about Frisco Kid, which I don't think was his actual first movie. Kid had him as an outlaw escorting Gene Wilder's rabbi across the Old West to San Fran. Very funny movie. I remember seeing it many years ago. But I stick to my list. :)
No, not the Frisco Kid, but I'll give you a pass for not knowing the movie - its cultural appeal is narrowly focued pop-historical.
Hint: The movie was directed by George Lucas.
I considered American Graffiti. But I've only seen it once...been many years. Remember. These are MY favorite Ford movies...not necessarily the BEST (although I think they are).
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