A Geeky Guy Rememebrs Sam Neil

Earlier today, acclaimed actor Sam Neil passed away.

Most people probably remember Neil for his portrayal of grant in the Jurassic Park franchise. If you don't remember him, I'm sure you remember his neckerchief as it seemed to be bigger than some of the dinosaurs. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first Jurassic Park, and Neil's work in the film, that is not why I will never forget him.

Three years before Jurassic Park, Neil portrayed a Russian sailor named Captain Borodin in by far Tom Clancy's best movie, The Hunt For Red October. Neil held his own starring opposite Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. I have seen that movie at least twenty times and always appreciated how well Neil portrayed the weary Soviet submarine Captain. The Hunt for Red October of one of those movies that I can pick up and start watching at literally any point in the movie and I will always watch to the end.

Although The Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite movies, even it does not stand out as Sam Neil's greatest accomplishment. That title is reserved for his portrayal of Hec in Taika Waititi's masterpiece Hunt for the Wilder People. If you have not seen this film, do yourself a favor and go watch it right now. Neil plays the grumpy "Uncle" Hec to absolute perfection. His character grows into a very loving and sympathetic curmudgeon. The film centers on Hec and his wife Bella, an older couple who decide to take in a teenage foster child named Ricky. Ricky is played incredibly by Julian Dennison (The kid from Deadpool 2). I don't want to spoil it too much, but let's just say Neil's Hec had absolutely no interest in adding a teenager to his wife. It was all his wife's idea. But nonetheless, Hec needs to deal with the two. The two eventually end up on the run and Neil and Dennison end up forming one of my favorite buddies on the run duos of all time. I still get tear eyed thinking of this movie... and then I chuckle. Because that is how the movie is.

If you take a look at Neil's IMDB page you will see a ton of great films and find yourself saying 'Oh yeah he was really good in that... and that... and that..." Because that is what Sam Neil was. He was just a pro. He never phoned in a performance.

If you want to see a deep cut and like the stylized 1980s thrillers, check out Dead Calm. It might not be the best movie ever but of course Sam Neil is great in it and I doubt you'll be bored. If you are, you can just laugh at the late 1980s fashion.

But Neil also had a sense of humor about himself and the acting profession. If you need any evidence of that, just check out Thor Ragnarok or Thor Love and Thunder. In case you forgot, Sam Neil plays the actor who portrays Odin in the silly theater productions of Odin's life story at the street theater in Asgard.