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THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (2002)Starring Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, and James Cromwell.
Directed by Paul Alden Robinson.
MPAA rating: PG-13
Summer time is here, will all the sun, swimming, and blockbuster movies at "Ye Olde Theater." Front and center of this year's brigade of box-office hopefuls is the latest Tom Clancy flick The Sum of All Fears, bringing back Clancy's favorite character Jack Ryan. In the past Ryan has been played by Harrison Ford (Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games), and Alec Baldwin (Hunt For Red October). This year, Clancy nixed Ford for reasons of age, and one would assume that Baldwin was out for reasons of ability, so the dashing hero is now played by Ben Affleck. Maybe ability wasn't of importance after all.
The plot is not for those who like to check their brains at the popcorn stand: In 1973 a nuclear bomb was lost in the desert by the Israeli air force. A small group of bad guys (leaders of terrorist groups, Aryan nations, and other unsavory sorts) come across this bomb, get some Russian scientists to refurbish it, and plant it in Baltimore as a means to start an all out war between the U.S. and Russia. Why would they do such a thing? To take over the world, of course. By pitting these two super-powers against each other, they provide for themselves a nice clean way to get rid of their enemies, while staying off the battlefield. Now it is up to the good guys to stop it. A cunning chess game unfolds, check and counter-check, all the way to the nail-biting end. The head of the CIA (Played convincingly by Morgan Freeman) enlists Jack Ryan to help him analyze the moves of the Russians.
The scenes of Mr. Affleck are fair, (and mercifully few) and the scenes that are void of him are close to excellent. The older actors do very well, lead by James Cromwell as the strained President of the U.S.A. The film handles the drama well also, gradually building, backing off, then building again. Director Phil Alden Robinson (Who also directed Field of Dreams) did a good job with this script. Surprisingly, there was nothing overly offensive about this film. It was rated PG-13 for some bloody scenes, and brief spats of language, so you will probably want to leave the kids at home.
Ah, the sweet feeling of using gray matter while surrounded by Dolby. This film delivers an exciting, entertaining look at international politics, spies, and the basest wills of those who are part of mankind. If you don't like involved plots, or having to remember things longer than thirty minutes, stay home. You won't have to wait long to revel in films more your speed. Scooby-Doo is coming out soon.
- Melissa Miles
June 17, 2002
June 17, 2002
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