Review of Patriot Games (1992) by Douglas H — 14 Nov 2007

Strangely flat, given the fact that it has a great cast, a top director and is based on a popular novel. Nothing is very clear in this. What is the issue with the bad guys? Why did they break with the IRA and why are they willing to risk their whole operation hunting down Ryan's family? And what the hell do they think a dozen of them are going to achieve after their "army training" in north Africa??? In the face of the threat to his family, Ryan only ever seems mildly interested.

And Anne Archer was so irritating as the wife, I almost wanted Sean Bean to succeed in getting her! The only good bit was the final action scene on the boat, that was pretty exciting and nicely shot.