Flash Ops: Trial by Fire
ACTION SCI-FI HISTORICAL FICTION SUSPENSE/THRILLER OTHER CRIME
Contemporary
Carter Blake
Submision Type
book
Logline
A retired Special Forces soldier gets brain implants that allow him to upload information directly to his brain. He is "tailored" for each mission and quickly deployed to the Middle East to save a kingdom and an entire banking system. Written with real-world research set against real-world events
Genre
Action,Sci-fi,Historical Fiction,Suspense/Thriller,Other,Crime
Short Summary
Mike O’Brian just retired after 20 years as a legendary Special Forces soldier. Facing an uncertain future as a civilian, he is pressed back into service by a shadowy intelligence group, only this time for a private company and with cutting-edge technology behind him – and inside him.
Setting
Cape Cod, Cambridge, MA, Bahrain, Persian Gulf
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Voyage and Return
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending,Other
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence
Main Character Details
Name: Mike O’Brian
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Masculine,Modest,Adventurous,Badass,Aggressive,Patriotic,Confident,Decisive,Selfless,Faithful,Skillful,Flexible,Romantic,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Jimmy Thurbers
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Modest,Badass,Aggressive,Charming,Complex,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Blunt,Selfless,Engaging,Faithful,Skillful,Funny,Romantic,Sarcastic,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Strong Moral Code,Leader,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Norman Hastings
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Aspiring,Charming,Complex,Confident,Engaging,Educated,Secretive,Visionary,Skillful,Outspoken,Blunt,Patriotic,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Sadiq al Fiiq bin Furmuz
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Villainous,Narcisstic,Confident,Criminal,Power Hungry,Skillful,Greedy,Secretive,Manipulative,Lone Wolf
Genre
ACTION, DRAMA, WAR
Brief
Mike is about to retire from Special Forces after 20 years in the military. He is recruited by a mysterious private firm that places him back in the Middle East. Using brain implant technology Mike is able to download his training and skills for each mission. He must take down a traitor within the Bahraini royal family.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT
Pace: FAIR
Premise: EXCELLENT
Structure: EXCELLENT
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The narrative is reflected quite well especially in the development pitch. Because the real world tech is explained in the pitch it could be removed from the logline in order to help make the logline shorter.
Draw of Story
The idea that there is technology to download information into people's brains is controversial and unique. The setting of Bahrain is fresh and the action is fast paced.
Possible Drawbacks
The depiction of women is a bit flat and or static. It also seems biased as Connie is negged for being a powerful business woman who gets straight to the point but in doing so doesn't "have a personality" when many of the men on the operation don't really socialize while on missions while doing their job either.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES HEAVILY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Mike is a retired special forces soldier who gets brain implants to work for a private Middle Eastern security firm. The technology is only partially science fiction and has real world roots.
Fanbase Potential
For an action film with new techonology (that isn't external weapons related) this could have a large audience. The cross-genre inclusion of the science fiction could potentially increase the viewership even further.
Awards Potential
Given its genre this is unlikely to have awards potential outside perhaps the special effects or sound mixing/editing categories.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MATRIX, LIMITLESS, JACK RYAN, 13 HOURS, HARDWIRED, DEVIL'S DOUBLE
What’s New About the Story
Being more explicit in what technology is being used and how it improves each mission would make the unique science fiction element more apparent. At present Mike is told he'll be ready and then he is ready but without comparison to his old soldier life and how the mission is impossible without the technology, it is hard to compare and marvel at the downloaded information in how it gives the security firm an unparalleled advantage.
Lead Characters
Mike is a reliable and unshakeable soldier able to keep his cool and do his job in the toughest of situation. He doesn't need help but also is able to follow orders in team hierarchy.
Uniqueness of Story
The idea of fighting with military technology that downloads the information and skills needed but the soldier consents to the tech is unique. But the execution of how the technology is working is hard to decipher, and the pacing is slowed by explaining more how it works and the world it functions in beforehand rather than in its actual use on the Bahraini mission.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
Changing the structure of the brain implant explanation to be more concrete after the fact during missions rather than abstract before the surgery might help make the pacing quicker in the beginning of story. Giving Mike and the supporting characters inner conflicts and transformation outside of getting implants would help showcase the stakes and add more tension to the missions.