|
| . |
|
The Sum of All Fears 2002 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Phil Alden Robinson
PG-13, 127 min. (violence, disaster images, language) |
 |
Starring: Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Liev Schreiber, Alan Bates, Philip Baker Hall, Bruce McGill, Colm Feore, Ciarán Hinds, Bridget Moynahan
Producers: Mace Neufeld
Screenplay: Paul Attanasio, Daniel Pyne, Tom Clancy (novel)
Cinematography: John Lindley
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Released: 5.31.02 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
The Sum of All Fears is a mild success simply because its audience, pensive American citizens, is willing to overlook obvious
flaws in the storyline in return for the stark, cold reality of what a nuclear bomb could do to a U.S. city. Director Phil
Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams) does a good job of building tension, allowing the viewer to full appreciate what a
precarious situation a sitting U.S. President would find himself/herself in shortly after a serious attack from
another nation and/or rogue group of radicals. And while Ben Affleck isn't able to adequately fill the shoes of Harrison Ford's
quintessential Jack Ryan (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger), his dull performance doesn't jeopardy the film as a whole
because the audience is more interested in what's happening around him. Tom Clancy's book, which was published over
ten years ago, had to be reworked for relevance, but it's chilling core remains intact.
Since 9/11, Americans have pondered the all-too-real possibility of nuclear attack on our cities. Here, with frightening
realism, we're confronted with destruction on a large scale. This in itself is probably too much for many viewers to digest,
simply because it hits too close to home and too soon after the tragic events in New York City. Rarely have I sat in a theater
full of patrons in complete stunned silence, but you could hear a pin drop after the sudden destruction of Baltimore in the
film. The real question is whether Americans will willingly subject themselves to this type of film at a time when wounds
haven't completely healed. Only time will tell.
The story is nothing we haven't seen before, but it still manages to keep the viewer's attention. Although Middle Easterners
have been the subject of terrorist films in the past, here they are interestingly substituted with a neo-Nazi group of
disillusioned rich men who are bent on reinstating the Third Reich after the complete destruction of the U.S. and Russia at
each other's hands. They find a bomb, one that is American made, in the wreckage of an Israeli jet downed in the early
1970's, and proceed to repair it to use on an American city. Enter Jack Ryan (Affleck) and his new boss CIA director
Bill Cabot (Morgan Freeman). Ryan is a young analyst, but, because of a thesis he wrote on Russian new president (Ciarán Hinds),
he's suddenly Cabot's right hand man in counsel with U.S. President Fowler (James Cromwell). Ryan must keep Cabot
informed of the changing winds in Russia, while also helping out operative John Clark (Live Schreiber) on a few dangerous
missions. When a nuclear bomb detonates in Baltimore, Ryan must convince the president not to order an all out attack
on Russia.
There are many problems with The Sum of All Fears, notably a confusing narrative and ludicrous villains (why would Nazis
want to rule over a radioactive wasteland if their plan succeeds?), however, because Clancy is a talented tactician, riveting
tension is able to surface when frequent cuts between Russian and American leaders play off each other with a resounding
sense of urgency and despair. Robinson is also able to handle such wide-ranging material and make it feel intimate and
relevant, rather than another stale "stop the bomb before the clock runs out" scenario.
Performances are solid by Freeman and Cromwell, and Schreiber adds a bit of life to a character that is usually a foregone
conclusion. Bridget Moynahan plays Ryan's fiance, but her inclusion seems only to satisfy the demands of continuity with
the other Ryan films. Character actors Alan Bates, Philip Baker Hall, Bruce McGill are also on hand to keep the believability
factor high.
Affleck's Ryan is a little soft and naive when compared to Ford's hardened boy scout image, and his performance is in
direct contrast to his fine turn in the surprising Changing Lanes. But whether or not one sees him as the new
Jack Ryan isn't important here - he's merely a presence that helps keep the plot exposition on course. Some critics have
pointed out the similarities (or should I say dissimilarities) between this film and Dr. Strangelove. While Kubrick's
message was one of irony juxtaposed with humor, Robinson is all business about the subject at hand. Nuclear holocaust
is inevitable in some people's minds, and The Sum of All Fears does nothing to calm those thoughts of impending doom. But maybe
films like this are an important reminder to everyone that once you start down the road of nuclear war, there won't be any road
to return to afterwards.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
