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Plot Summary
Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) is a young
CIA analyst. His speciality is Russia and it’s political leaders. When
the Russian president dies suddenly and is replaced by President Nemerov,
(Ciarán Hinds), Jack finds that his services are needed by the top USA
presidential advisors as he has the greatest knowledge of the new Russian
president. Under the watchful eye of CIA director Bill Cabot (Morgan
Freeman) Jack soon finds himself rubbing shoulders with top military
advisors and even the US President (James Cromwell). When the Russian
President flexes his military muscles in Chechnya and tells the Americans
to stay out of his business the Americans start to get edgy…
Review
Ben Affleck takes over from
Harrison Ford as CIA agent, Jack Ryan, the character created by Tom
Clancy. Among other films,
Jack Ryan was the hero in Patriot Games and Clear And Present
Danger. Harrison Ford was the mature, seasoned Jack Ryan and Ben
Affleck is the young naďve Ryan.
This action thriller has just
the right amount of action scenes while concentrating on the intriguing
plot. It is an intelligent thriller that moves along at a quick pace and
you’ll have to pay attention to keep up with the story. The pace of the
story adds to the tension as there is a distinct feeling that time is
running out as Ryan tries to defuse the escalating military action between
Russia and American. There is some clever political dialogue with innuendo
and inferences that have to be deciphered, and military actions that have
to be analysed.
Ben Affleck did well as the
young Jack Ryan but perhaps doesn’t have the same presence as Harrison
Ford. But of course Harrison Ford was the older, wiser Ryan and is
probably too old now to be dodging terrorist bullets! Morgan Freeman was excellent as the experienced CIA director
who has learnt how to dodge the political minefields that a man in his
position comes across.
If you enjoyed
Spy Game
with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt you should enjoy this one.
Lasting
thought: The film has been criticised for “cashing in” on terrorist
events like the September 11th atrocity but similar criticism
could be given to thousands of movies that have depicted terrorism and
war.
Reviewed by Niall Quinn,
Premier Movie Reviews
2002 |