The K Factor
Logline
Non-stop ACTION! When a North Korean ambassador wants to defect, there's one problem: NK keeps the families of dignitaries in country, held hostage to prevent flight. The problem: get 3 women family members out without an international incident or causing WW3. Plausible deniability, the cover: sink
Genre
Action,Adventure,Political,Suspense/Thriller
Short Summary
Mike Reardon, known as The Repairman, and buddy Pax Weatherwax, will take any job if the money is right. The CIA want's no part of N. Korea, but want an ambassador who wants to defect...but NK keeps the families hostage of traveling diplomats. So, it's mercenary time.
Getting a diplomats family and a CIA operative out of North Korea will take stealth, fire-power, and subterfuge. Sinking the Pueblo, the only US ship held hostage anywhere, is the cover, and plausible deniability for the raid. America's latest weapons are the answer.
Setting
USA, Japan, N. Korea, Belgium.
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Quest,Voyage and Return
Plot - Other Elements
Other
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence, Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Mike Reardon
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Badass,Aggressive,Patriotic,Outspoken,Faithful,Heroic,Seductive,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Pax Weatherwax
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Badass,Aggressive,Complex,Patriotic,Decisive,Selfless,Faithful,Funny,Sarcastic,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Ji Su
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Badass,Sexy,Crazy,Skillful,Gracious,Heartthrob,Seductive
Additional Character Details
Name: Butch
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Underdog,Masculine,Aggressive,Badass,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Selfless,Sarcastic,Heroic
Development Pitch
Adapted from my best selling novel of the same name: Multi-racial cast, non-stop action, plausible plot, think Tom Cruise or Hugh Jackman. North Korea is California topography so other than city scenes and Belgium easily filmed. Logline: Non-stop ACTION! When a North Korean ambassador wants to defect, there's one problem: NK keeps the families of dignitaries in country, held hostage to prevent flight. The problem: get 3 women family members out without an international incident or causing WW3. Plausible deniability, the cover: sink the Pueblo. The only U.S. vessel held hostage by any country. This is a franchise of 10 novels. Synopsis: The K Factor - Sink the Pueblo When Mike Reardon, known as the repairman for taking jobs outside the law, is invited to a meeting with the CIA, NSA, and DOD, he knows he's about to be downwind of the ka ka hitting the fan. All they want is for him to go into North Korea and extract three women; a daughter and granddaughters of NK's ambassador to China, who wants to defect. Since he's the former head of NK's nuclear program, the U.S. is more than merely interested in him. And he's soon to be at a conference in Belgium at NATO, so there's a narrow window to get him in our protection. It seems Kin Jong-un keeps his travelling diplomats and dignitaries honest by holding their family's hostage. The money is just too good to refuse, as well as the chance to use the latest in military toys.
Genre
ACTION
Brief
Mike Reardon, a man used to taking outlaw jobs, embarks on a mission in North Korea alongside his partner Pax. They have to save three women who are relatives of a North Korean ambassador who wants to defect and sink El Pueblo, the American ship held hostage overseas.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: FAIR
Structure: GOOD
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
It is accurate. The author efficiently describes the main characters and the main elements of the story.
Draw of Story
The story begins at an intense pace. Pax and Mike appear talking about the mission proposal in North Korea. The plot is introduced very quickly, giving important elements to the audience right away.
Possible Drawbacks
Some sections get a little confused because of the presence of so many different characters on the mission. The plot of the dutch scientist Pieter de Vries is also not entirely clear, but those points don't damage the good action structure.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
It is an action film with the main elements of the genre. So, the hook is Mike and Pax's friendship, who quickly earn our empathy. They are sent to a hostile location for a dangerous mission. We don't care much about the mission itself, but we care about these friends from the very beginning.
Fanbase Potential
I believe so. Mike's character is quite likable, compelling, and able to captivate an audience for an entire franchise.
Awards Potential
The film makes room for good scenes with special effects, dynamic editing that demands precise cuts, and sound mixing that enhances the genre experience. In that case, the film would have a chance of winning awards mostly in technical categories.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: A SPECIAL AGENT IS ASSIGNED TO THE MOST DANGEROUS MISSIONS. SPY GAME: A FORMER CIA AGENT IS ASSIGNED TO RESCUE ANOTHER AGENT WHO WAS ARRESTED IN CHINA.
What’s New About the Story
Action movies usually present a heroic protagonist who will save the day, with some secondary assistants' help. Here, the work is performed by a whole team that wants to survive and move forward together. These people do not see themselves as merely mission co-workers. They empathize with each other and help each other to progress.
Lead Characters
The film has many characters, but each has very unique characteristics, especially the main ones. The Mike-Pax pair works well together, as they complement each other as partners.
Uniqueness of Story
It is not a rare gem. Perhaps, if the author converts the mission into something more exciting, with higher stakes, we could feel more engaged with the rescue plot, and the story would gain an extra point of conflict.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, Film - Indie
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
The author knows very well how to maintain tension through a dynamic sequence of scenes and actions that leave us engaged from the start. The dialogues do not fall into the commonplace and give an extra point to the narrative. It is pleasant to accompany this team of diverse people on this dangerous mission because of those dialogues. Obviously, some fall into the action genre's cliches, but in general, the conversations are good. The characters work very well in groups. Each piece of this mission works as part of a gear that moves forward together. Pax and Mike are interesting enough to make us follow them. Their friendship adds more conflict to the plot as we want them both alive in the end. The secret mission plot that could end in World War Three is not original, but it works as a good background, increasing the risk. The mission itself could be further developed. There is a political element behind it, which makes sense and explains the demand for a task executed in a non-traditional way by the CIA. However, the mission itself does not matter to us very much, which can suspend the audience's interest. Perhaps if the author gives more drama and excitement to the rescued object and the American ship, we would be rooting more for the completion of the mission. The author manages to move skillfully between different subplots by switching efficiently between these layers of narrative. There is much to be improved in the script, such as formatting and key points of the narrative, but in general, it is a story told in an interesting way.