The legendary actor Scott Bakula, known for his iconic roles in science fiction, has faced a unique challenge: starring in a movie that, despite his stellar cast, was destined to be a failure. This project, titled 'NetForce,' was a television movie based on a Tom Clancy novel series, but with a twist. The concept was created by Clancy and Steve Pieczenik, while the actual books were penned by Steve Perry. Bakula's character, Alex Michaels, is the FBI Netforce deputy chief, leading a team of internet cops against a tech mogul, Will Stiles, played by Judge Reinhold. The movie's premise, set in the near future (2005), revolves around a new web browser that would give Stiles' company control over every computer on the planet. However, the movie's portrayal of both police work and technology was met with criticism, as it was seen as outdated and nonsensical, even by 1999 standards. While Bakula's performance was solid, the movie's action-packed approach, complete with gunfights, explosions, and assassinations, failed to make up for its unrealistic portrayal of cybercrime. Despite the challenges, 'NetForce' remains a fascinating example of the challenges faced by Hollywood in keeping up with the rapidly evolving world of technology and the internet.
