Review of The Sum of All Fears (2002) by Deb S — 03 Apr 2011
THIS IS A FILM WHERE EVERYONE SHOUTS! ABOUT EVERYTHING! IN SHORT SHARP SENTENCES! FOR NO REASON! But that aside, it's actually quite entertaining. It's a sort of military thriller based around the potential for a nuclear war between two great superpowers - based on a Tom Clancy novel that I haven't read.
We follow Ben Affleck around as he tries to sort everything out (by shouting) and see how misunderstanding and miscommunication could potentially end the world. Ben Affleck is fairly weak, with no real leading man charisma but Morgan Freeman and James Cromwell back him up and bring a bit of depth to the overall film.
The film itself sits in the middle between dark and dismal (like 80's classic threads) and light and joyful - like a Dr Strangelove without the giggles. Without the heavy message about nuclear war, or the farce around the escalation of nuclear proliferation this film doesn't really do anything.
You think it might suddenly turn when thousands and thousands of people blow up; but no.....they never really mention it again. A few people do a bit more shouting - but nothing else. I enjoyed this film, I enjoyed the ride.
Far more log flume than rollarcoaster, exciting in its own way - but not something I'd want to do more than once.
This review of The Sum of All Fears (2002) was written by Deb S on 03 Apr 2011.
The Sum of All Fears has generally received mixed reviews.
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