 |
|
|
|
|
MOVIES FRONT | MOVIE REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS | COMING SOON | BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS & REPORT | NEWS | LINKS |
The Sum of All Fears (2002) Paramount Pictures 2 hrs. Starring: Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Bridget Moynahan, Liev Schreiber, and Alan Bates Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson The Sum of All Fears Rating:  
E-MAIL GINO PAGLIUCA Based on the best-selling Tom Clancy novel of the same name, this latest installment in the Jack Ryan franchise manages to not only stand alone, but stand out from its predecessors serving us a story that parallels the real life tragedy of 9-11. For this reason I insist you keep in mind while watching this that you are in fact watching a movie, developed by some top Hollywood players to entertain and perhaps cause you to think a little. Be sure to understand that the book, and most importantly this film, was made prior to that infamous day, and certainly does not mean any harm. So in all fairness I will rate this movie based on my viewing experience which in fact was a good one. The story revolves around Jack Ryan struggling to uncover a terrorist plot to trick the United States and Russia to go to war against each other. Falsified information between countries is what ultimately leads to the ego trips that bring this film to a climax. Things certainly move quickly for Ryan, who goes from a desk job to being the only man with the right information that will stop what could possibly be World War III. I liked this story quite a bit and found myself munching down on my nails, a good sign. There is a lot of serious tension going on here and it hits quite close to home these days. Ben Affleck is turning his career around completely, going from “Forces of Nature” and “Reindeer Games”, to carrying “Pearl Harbor” on his shoulders, and turning in fine performances along the way with “Changing Lanes” and here (not to mention his under-rated work in “Chasing Amy”… one of my all-time favorites). He steals the show though he is not really on his own, making up what is a strong ensemble cast. His wit, charm and boyish looks suit this “fish out of water” Jack Ryan just fine, never once making me think about the “Ryans” of the past. With a slew of interesting films along the way (Daredevil should solidify him as a bankable star if everyone does there job right) it seems Ben is finally showing the presence many thought he had. As for the rest of the cast, featuring acting heavy weights such as Morgan Freeman (Seven, Along Came A Spider), James Cromwell (Babe 1-2) and Phillip-Baker Hall (Hard Eight, Magnolia), as well as some up and comers like Live Schreiber (Scream 1-2-3) and Bridget Moynahan (Serendipity, Coyote Ugly), all look comfortable in their parts and never make this film feel like it belongs to them. Perhaps that is a testament to this films director, Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams), who had managed a similar feat when he directed Sydney Poitier, Robert Redford, Dan Akroyd, and River Phoenix to name a few in the spy film “Sneakers”. Personally of the two I got a bigger kick out of “Sum”. Unlike movies such as “Independence Day”, this film knows that human nature is much more terrifying then the chance of aliens attacking our planet. Plain and simple, these situations can really happen, we humans can destroy ourselves, we have that power and it is proven to us everyday without looking any further than a news broadcast or headline. These issues are well exploited to keep us in our seats and leave us with a message, though we all know this message. I thought the Harrison films were fine, and Alec Baldwin did a great job in “Hunt for Red October”, but here and now seeing Ben in this role taking place at the very birth of Jack Ryan, I know that there is more exciting stuff to come. This is an entertaining film, a smart reintroduction to the character, and I am glad to say that the story doesn’t take the back seat. I’m in for the next one. Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts. Gino Pagliuca © TheWorldJournal.com |
|
|
MOVIES FRONT | MOVIE REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS | COMING SOON | BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS & REPORT | NEWS | LINKS |
|
|
|
|
Sponsored Links |
| Web Hosting Forum - Web hosting, marketing and webmaster related issues. Find the best hosting for your website! |
| Top
Box Office Movies © TheWorldJournal.com, All rights reserved. Student News Network For the best advertising rates at TheWorldJournal.com (120x600 - new banner format by the Interactive Advertising Bureau), click here. Back to top |
e-mail: info@theworldjournal.com sales: sales@theworldjournal.com |
||