Review of Patriot Games (1992) by Nathan M — 03 Mar 2014

Or the One Where Sean Bean and Harrison Ford Go Head to Head...

Phillip Noyce is the ultimate Jack Ryan director. Sure, he didn't make The Hunt For Red October, which is probably the best film based on a Jack Ryan novel, but I consider it to be a better submarine movie than a Jack Ryan movie. What Noyce really understands about making these kind of spy thrillers is that the characters are the key to the story. Both Noyce directed Jack Ryan films are so focused on the personal aspects of Ryan's life that you care about both him and his family enough to feel the tension during the action sequences.

But don't get me wrong, Patriot Games isn't just a great film about the dynamics of families, Noyce also is able to make this a great international thriller. Where the latest Jack Ryan films have failed is focusing on Ryan's intellect and his ability to understand the complex intricacies of foreign cultures. Noyce really understands this, and puts Ryan's intellect at the forefront of the main plot of the films. Ryan wins because he can outsmart and outmaneuver his opponents.

Patriot Games is a really well-done thriller that focuses on the performances of the actors and the complexities of its source materials. Both Ford and Bean are fantastic in their roles, and with a great supporting cast, the film really crackles with energy. Energetic in a way that modern day thrillers don't understand. If only we had more political thrillers like this, Liam Neeson might get something else to do other than punching people.