Review of The Sum of All Fears (2002) by Jimmy M — 11 Jul 2010

3: This was spectacularly entertaining and watchable. I don't recall enjoying this film as much the first time I saw it. This may have something to do with the fact that I respect Ben Affleck far more since seeing Gone Baby Gone.

I didn't have any problem accepting him as Jack Ryan this time around. It doesn't hurt that he is surrounded by a great cast to include Freeman, Baker Hall, Bates, Schreiber, Cromwell, etc. All are extremely believable in their roles and have a stellar script to work from.

It's practically impossible for me to dislike a film with Moynihan in it as well. I was literally on the edge of my seat through numerous sequences of the film. It is political/espionage/action practically at its Hollywood best.

Although it also is reasonably accurate in its portrayal of the intelligence and military worlds, which is always essential to a film being successful, I have reached the point in my career where I can finally pick apart a few of details surrounding the operations, reconnaissance, communications, and nuclear security depicted in the film.

There are certainly areas where it is uncannily accurate, but other sections are predominately fiction (at least as far as my limited knowledge goes). I definitely wouldn't mind seeing another Jack Ryan picture made in the future, even if it doesn't include Harrison Ford.

Very underrated picture.