May 15, 2010 By Martin Hoscik
Strike Back airs on Sky One and comes to DVD next month
Sky One’s latest original drama series Chris Ryan’s Strike Back must surely finally demolish the channel’s (increasingly inaccurate) reputation for being home only to US imports.
If you’ve missed it so far, the show is based on Ryan’s novel of the same name and stars Spooks leading man Richard Armitage as SAS solider John Porter – seconded to the ultra-secret Section 20 – and the ever fab Andrew Lincoln as his slightly dubious superior Hugh Collinson.
Strike Back is the sort of big, ambitious action, guns blazing drama we rarely make in this country which is a shame because on the strength of this series we’re actually quite good at it.
..If Spooks rehabilitated Armitage’s credentials as a decent actor after the BBC’s dreadful Robin Hood* this series must surely cement his place as one of the UK’s best drama performers.
If you’ve missed the first four episodes the final two parter airs this Wednesday but the show really deserves to be enjoyed whole so you may be better waiting for next month’s DVD release (pre-order here) which promises some extras in the shape of interviews and a behind the scenes feature.
*Much as I loathed the BBC’s Robin Hood, I think I’d rather watch all 3 series back to back than watch the new Russell Crowe film version ever again.
Entire article...
http://www.seenit.co.uk/chris-ryan’s-strike-back-high-octane-drama-which-puts-itv-to-shame/055598/
7 comments:
as far as dropping the "heart throb" remarks, I wouldn't bet on it after seeing how much time Armitage spends half or in one instance completely naked. The scene in the prison I can understand, but the others involved seem to be completely gratuitous, and only there for the "eye candy" factor. He deserved better.
Hi Leigh, if you've got it, flaunt it in this ultra competitive world.
Quality productions were/are limited with the downward economic spiral, therefore an actor who can deliver a rivetting performance while filling the screen with gorgeousness, has a definite edge at capturing those roles. Besides, the writers/director provided the material, Richard fulfilled their wishes as a true professional. The scorching heat might've made shirtless scenes more 'bare'able;)
yeah, I know that's all true, but it would have been nice to have him not undress for this. Don't get me wrong I am not adverse to seeing him with little or better yet no clothing, he is a stunning man. I just wish they could have not gone there. Nobody took their clothes off in Band of Brothers (for no good reason) and that did just fine, good script, good acting,etc. It just didn't seem necessary to me, I know a lot of people won't agree, but it's just my opinion.
I agree with Leigh. Look at what Richard achieved in North and South with rolled-up sleeves and an open collar with just a view of his forearms and neck!
Confession time: one of the the screencaps I like best of Porter is when he's chest-to-toe in his camouflage outfit with all the straps and the half-gloves. It leaves such a lot to the imagination that the imagination can truly run riot.
Not that I mind seeing whatever body part stunning Porter cares to put on show (only human, I'm afraid!).
Leigh & Enrich, I understand perfectly the point both of you are making about giving Richard's performance a chance to shine without the disrobing factor. However, it's most likely part of the necessary total package required to sell a project to investors. Look at Daniel Craig as James Bond. If a photo of him in nothing other than the skimpiest speedo wasn't available for promotion purposes, how many ticket buyers would not have been motivated to see him on the big screen. It's the way of the world - not everyone insists certain intellectual standards must be met but instead follow visceral, instinctive reactions when choosing between entertainment options. An expensive production like SB, in order to be financially viable, must gather as large an audience as possible.
IMO, the fact RA can deliver on-screen a widely nuanced interpretation of a role - from stimulating all sorts of basic human responses to satisfying thoughtful emotional needs - distinguishes him from the rest of the pack. Is that in fact what makes the difference between moderate screen success and full blown stardom? Think of the generational mix of Clive Owen, Robert Redford the younger, Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler, Leonardo diCaprio in Titanic, Matt Damon etc. All can act PLUS simultaneously please the eye. Ticket buyers receive more value for their money than they ever expected...and therefore will return for more of the same into the future. RA is investors' dream come true - some insurance their investment will return dividends.
Another consideration is Richard's personal attitude towards birthday-suit scenes. As a younger man he probably felt "why not? My goal is to reveal as much as possible for the audience...might as well go the whole 9yards". His recent remarks make it clear that aging is on his mind - naturally even more so than those who do not depend somewhat on their personal appearance as a means to a livelihood. By gaining as many loyal fans as possible during these glory days, he'll eventually be free in years to come to choose only those roles his heart completely desires. It's probably a reality of his life that until he reaches that level of professional success, it's necessary to balance all aspects of a role - and displaying the magnificent results of all those exhausting workouts might not seem all that unpleasant in the overall scheme of things.
Well argued, RicrAr. I really do get your point. I think that SB has made the general public aware of Richard in a completely different way than North and South and that will stand him in good stead in his later acting career. And we perhaps forget what a tough branch Richard has chosen, where you're always thinking of your next job and nothing is at all secure!
And who am I kidding? I relish the results of his work-outs as much as the next gal. Who would have thought I'd fall so hard for Porter, biceps, bare chest, bare -a***ed and all!
Biceps get my vote over peaches anyday:)
BUT, that husky, almost a purring growel throatiness when his voice reaches sub-rathskeller depths is what really errr,,,you get the drift;)
Apparently audio impact can sometimes overpower visual and emotional impressions(which are definitely good as well). Perhaps caused by all that 'dancing to the beat' in my teen years;)
See a fine new John Porter video above.
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