Icon (2005)

"Icon" was a fun, if long, miniseries. Patrick Swayze plays Jason Monk, who is an ex-CIA agent. As usual, he's roped into one last case. Here, it's by Nigel (Michael York). His assignment is to take down presidential hopeful Igor Komarov (Patrick Bergin). Igor wants to rule the world. I'm not kidding.Thankfully, the movie is full of action. Patrick Swayze does a good job, but in some scenes he looks very old. Patrick Bergin goes over the top. I think he perfected his Russian accent by watching Natasha on "Rocky and Bullwinkle". Michael York is his usual professional self. The standout performance is by Jeff Fahey as a presidential aide.In the end: If you don't mind the 3-hour running time, it's worth watching. If you can, take a look at the foreign trailer! For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

I just finished reading Forsyth's novel 'Icon'. I thought it was one of the most in depth, detailed, and page-turning books I ever read, definitely in my top 10. I acquired a DVD version of the book starring Mr. Swayze. OK, let me first point out that to fit a decent adaptation of the novel into 2.5 hours film time would of been impossible, so I understand the teams reason to sway from the book version and differ. However, when I say "differ" what I really should say is "take the characters from the book, add a few, leave a few out, take away the book's plot, add a modern new plot, add Frederick Forsyth's name in there somewhere". Im not saying this was a bad picture, far from it, some of the effects were top notch and the acting wasn't half bad. The story sucked and didn't rely on logic or reality. Forsyth's novel was so good and real and altered the facts of reality instead of exaggerating them.. This could of been so much more if it had taken its time and been made into say a 10 part series. If you haven't read the book then expect a decent TV movie with a good acting cast, if you have read the book then try and forget it when watching this.

I have recently become a fan of Patrick Swayze after first watching him in 'Dirty Dancing' a few weeks ago. I began researching his other roles on the IMDb database and ordering DVDs of his other efforts. I must say how aged he looks after 'Road House'. I suspect that his fondness for the bottle has much to do with this situation. Still, he seems to have pulled back from destruction from drink, which I am thankful for. He seemed in great physical condition for a man his age.I have not read the novel 'Icon', so I had no preconceived notions about what direction the plot should take. I must admit that some of the plot scenario seemed weak. The following points stood out:1. The rapid acceptance of Jason Monk as an ally of Sonia was incredible. His tale of being a journalist that packed heat was very weak. When events revealed his true identity to her, no mention of the blown cover story surfaced in the plot.2. The opening sequence of the film showed his failure to extract an agent after his cover was blown. A list of CIA agents had fallen into KGB hands, yet that list apparently did not contain the cover name of Jason Monk.3. The actual identity of deep-cover agents is a closely-held secret within the CIA. A cover name within the agency is developed and a false personal history is registered. This is to prevent attacks on the agent's family if his cover is blown. For the KGB to know Monk's true identity meant a compromise of security within the CIA of horrific degree.4. After Monk retired the KGB apparently made no effort to track him down and extract any relevant information and exact revenge. He was living on the coast of Spain and would have been an easy target. Further, the FSB successor to the KGB apparently did not detect Monk's reentry into Russia. A massive failure of border security.5. The motivation of the CIA official to betray Monk was never clear. He was clearly working against the interests of the US in trying to stop Monk. Further, he could have intervened earlier to stop Monk, since he was privy to Monk's reports on his activities and findings.6. It was standard procedure of the KGB to savagely attack the family of traitors, however innocent. This was a deterrent to possible traitors. Monk's wife and child would have certainly faced a horrible fate once his cover was blown. This fact would have been well known to his wife and motivate her to defect with her husband.7. After starting to work with Monk, Sonia was able to move about Moscow quite freely without making any attempt to disguise her appearance. This would not be so easy in reality. Her former associates in the FSB would be eager to avoid her fate of dismissal. They would be quite familiar with her appearance and be eager to gain favor by arresting her.That said, I still liked the film. The background shots were mostly from Bulgaria, but close to the real thing in appearance. I doubt that Russia would be eager to allow a film with such a plot to be filmed on their soil. The exotic buildings and crowds were quite fascinating and helped keep the plot moving.Annika Peterson did a good job as Sonia. She had chemistry with Patrick and was lovely to look at. She had features that could easily have been Russian, so casting did a great job.The plot had Sonia taking a huge chance of capture to look up daughter Elena when Monk's nerve failed. That was an indication of the feelings Sonia was developing for Monk. The reconciliation between father and daughter was touching. I especially liked seeing this personal struggle of the lead character.The character of Viktor was most appealing. You could see what a great friend he was when the risk of this relationship was enormous. Sonia and Elena soon sensed his goodness and obviously became fond of him, even if this development is never made explicit.The deeper theme of the film is chilling. Many ambitious politicians in Russia have used the innate Russian suspicion of foreigners to further their careers. Just look at Vladimir Putin play on these fears today. He is rapidly rebuilding an antagonistic policy toward the US that is bound to lead to eventual confrontation. When the oil supplies that bankroll current Russian prosperity start to decline, look for a desperate Russia to turn aggressive to seize resources in adjacent countries. The Komarov character in the film had a KGB background and similar ambitions to Putin.In conclusion, the film had enough eye candy and rang true enough to hold my attention, I watched the whole miniseries at one go. I expect Patrick Swayze will be back as Jason Monk in the near future.

Fans of the novel will more than likely be disappointed. But if you are interested in seeing a decent spy thriller, I recommend this. The cast is good and its got high production values.The cast is a good one. Patrick Swayze fits the role of Jason Monk perfectly and bares quite a resemblance to the character in the novel. Patrick Bergin and Ben Cross are excellent as the villains. But the best acted part in the film has to go to Micael York for his role of Sir Nigel Irvine. Joss Ackland also gives a good performance as the underused Russian General turned presidential candidate.Also on the plus side,the production values are high. The action sequences are good and exciting. The locations look real and are obviously not faked and the score is one of the best i've heard recently for TV movies.Ont he downside, the film's plot and its length are a downside. Most of the novel is scrapped and the great Black Manifesto is replaced (for the most part) by a virus. The addition of Monk's daughter and the female FSB agent are also added on to the novel's plot and are often irrelevant to the main part of the story. The plot is highly unbelievable and the duologue come in the tons in this film and winds it down several times.SPOILER! : The biggest flaw is the ending. The novel featured Komarov's and his army launching an attack on Moscow leading to a battle that would have been great on screen Instead it is replaced by simply having Komarov chased out by protesters and being shot by monk. An anti-climactic ending if there ever was one.Despite these flaws, Icon is still watchable and, while not faithful to the novel, is a decent spy thriller.