The Sum of All Fears

At the beginning it looked like an average thriller, but since the shocking turning point in the middle (which would be unfair to mention, even though some people here have already done so), I wasn't breathing at times. Particularly unforgettable are the moments from the presidential plane, when millions of human lives are decided in heated discussions under great stress and time pressure. It makes you shudder to realise what a helpless puppet in the hands of "those above" you actually are. Because of these scenes, and the overall level of realism, this is an above average thriller. The only weakness I find in the casting of the lead role. Not that Ben Affleck is a bad actor, but with his sunny-boy looks and lack of manly charisma, he simply doesn't fit my idea of a secret agent, reliably shaped by his predecessors Baldwin and Ford. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so, the producers of the next upcoming Ryan film are looking for someone else instead of Afleck. (10/02/2004)

This film has the most potential of all the Jack Ryan stories. Unfortunately, it is held down by an overly patchy script without a solid skeleton to give it direction. The ultimate twist in the middle is delightful, but the subsequent bargaining with fingers on the trigger of nuclear weapons is surprisingly boring because the director irritatingly hesitates. It lacks the sensitivity and authorial acuity of John McTiernan, or the political commitment of Phillip Noyce. P.H. Robinson is merely a skilled craftsman without a more distinctive authorial imprint. That's unfortunate. It could have been the best installment because Ben Affleck is surprisingly watchable. I’m still giving it four stars, even taking into account the fact that it's not the sort of viewing torture that watching the previous two films with Ford was. (02/09/2007)

There is nothing left but to regret that right here, in the center of the worst fears, a more lasting series with Jack Ryan did not emerge. Unlike the tired portrayal with Harrison Ford's face, I was entertained from start to finish and all my objections disappeared in the gripping whole and especially in the excellent visual side. At first, the whole threat seems a bit too simple, but then director Robinson begins to subtly disturb with scenes like "all important men in the White House's mobile phones ringing" and he starts to get tough. Especially since realism is turned on to a more than disturbing degree this time. However, that is only a drop in the bucket compared to what unleashes after the explosion and in a completely unbelievable apocalypse in the escalating conclusion. Perhaps the excellent Ben Affleck could have navigated through slightly less complicated plots, but even with them on his back, he could not wish for a better thriller. Similar fresh spy action movies would be a delight to go to the cinema for. (17/02/2007)

A much better movie than I expected, especially the second half had wonderful pace. Both Affleck and Freeman’s acting is A-grade and convincing. A classic techno-thriller with an intriguing plot and surprising twists. I must read Clancy’s novel sometime. (17/02/2007)

I'm honestly a little disappointed. I've seen the previous Ryan films and I have to say that both Patriot Games and  The Hunt for Red October were much better. (16/11/2003)

Another Clancy film that doesn't hold up to my favorite Clear and Present Danger (because Ben Affleck just isn't Harrison Ford), but it has everything it should have. A perfect story, old-school direction and Goldsmith's music, likeable actors (Liev Schreiber is a great Clark), and most importantly an escalating, beautifully unpredictable atmosphere. I wonder why no one has yet reached for another unfilmed Clancy treat. (21/08/2011)