The Popkorn Junkie :: The Sum of All Fears

In this fourth addition to the Jack Ryan series, based on the Tom Clancy novels, the stage is set for nuclear warfare between the U.S. and Russia. After the U.S. is attacked one day by a nuclear explosive, the CIA suspects that the President of Russia ordered to launch it. Ryan denies that was the case, and he is supposedly proved wrong when the Russian President confesses, in a live press conference, to ordering the launch. But in fact, the President simply didn't want to look "impotent" by denying the launch and confessing that he had no clue who did launch the missile.

Who's responsible? Three Russian scientists who are composing explosives in a secret laboratory in Ukraine. They ship the next bomb, which is implanted inside a cigarette vending machine, to a Baltimore football stadium. The President is attending this football game, and it's up to Ryan and the CIA to try to stop the bomb and end nuclear terrorism between Russia and the U.S.

Well, what can I say? I liked the film. It was exciting, though I wasn't clutching the edge of my seat. Basically, it delivers. But it was missing something. I can't put my finger on it, but it was.

Of course, there are some obvious flaws. For example, the miscasting of Ben Affleck. He just seems too naive for the role. He looks more like a college student doing research on the CIA for an upcoming term paper than a CIA analyst who is about to save the country from nuclear terrorism. Come on, let's be honest: Does Ben Affleck look like someone who can save the country from mass destruction? Of course, the age difference between him and Harrison Ford is an obvious flaw, but Affleck seemed to be playing a totally different character. And I find it hard to fathom, after watching "Hunt for Red October," "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger," Jack Ryan can get away with the excuse "I'm just an analyst!" when hurled into 007-like situations.

Morgan Freeman was fun to watch, though I wish I could've seen more of him. Lately, it seems like he's been sticking to secondary roles. The script has its share of crappy dialogue. And the few scenes of comic relief don't quite pan out, except for one in which Freeman and Affleck are on a plane, and Affleck is talking to his girlfriend over the phone. On his way to Russia, he tells her that he won't be able to make it to dinner tonight. Freeman suggests that he tell her the truth, so Affleck tells her all about his mission in Russia. She assumes that he's making an elaborate lie, and hangs up the phone. Freeman chuckles at him.

"The Sum of All Fears" is not exactly a solid thriller, but it's fun and entertaining. As long as you don't demand much, you'll have a good time.

-- Matt ( 3 out of 4 pops )

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Other Junkie's opinions.....

Billy Ray ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Okay, I swore up and down I was going to avoid this one in the theatres and wait until it hit the video shelves, but a friend promised they would watch "Sleepy Time Gal" with me if I watched this film with them. I don't know why I agreed, because I usually enjoy watching movies by myself. Alas, I did agree, and the result of my excursion was not entirely awful, though it was somewhat lacking. Yes, this is a fitting addition to the Jack Ryan series, and Ben Affleck does a good job at taking the role of the young Harrison Ford, but I just felt he wasn't as serious or intense as Ford. Sure, he is younger in this one, and that accounts for some of it, but Affleck and Ford seem like two entirely different Ryans--too big of a leap for me to believe--I mean, I'm all for 'willful suspension of disbelief', but this was too much to take on. Of course, Morgan Freeman is good, and it is really nice to see him get out of those detective roles, as in "Along Came A Spider" and "Kiss the Girls". Director Phil Alden Robinson is also back in action, though this film was not nearly as entertaining as his film "Sneakers" with Robert Redford and Dan Aykroyd. The main problem I had with this film was that it seemed to go for 'shock value' a little too often. I know, I know, Hollywood needs to stop being afraid of hitting up with scenes of nuclear explosions and terrorist plots, but it seemed as if "The Sum of All Fears" tried too hard to get back into the cycle, and was therefore forced into the Land of 1,000 Clichés, from which it did not escape. My final summation: Freeman's performance and some stellar special effects were enough for me to recommend this film, though I think Affleck was a little too different a Jack Ryan than Ford. It is one hell of a good popkorn flick and is very reassuring in that Hollywood is finally getting back into the swing of things.

James ( 3 out of 4 pops )

I thought that this movie started out pretty slow, but it eventually got really really good. Ben Affleck completely redeems himself for his "Changing Lanes" blunder...this performance is his best work since "Chasing Amy", however, how can I take this movie seriously if they couldn't get the license to use the Ravens name and logo? It's not like this is a friggin independent film! Get the Goddamn licenses! Okay, so I'm not holding that against it. I was entertained, to say the least. Basically, this film is about two countries who get played, scared, and thus the two countries wage a little war of my wiener is bigger than your wiener. This one's a must for the big screen.