Review of Patriot Games (1992) by Barbara W — 11 Sep 2009

I re-watched this one recently and was reminded what a good thriller it really is. Harrison Ford is in his peak here and Tom Clancy?s work has never been sharper and better. Based on the Clancy novel, Ford plays Jack Ryan, former CIA and current instructor at Annapolis?aside from devoted father and husband.

While on a business trip to London with his family, he stumbles into an IRA fringe group?s plot to do some damage to the British royals. Ryan kills one of the terrorists, saving the lives of the Royals but making an enemy for life of the dead man?s brother.

Filled with tension and just enough lightness to soften the ride some, this film is just as sharp as it was when I saw it in the theater in 1992. If movies are good, they stand the test of time and only get better.

This one proves that even political thrillers can stand the tests of time?if done right.