The Sum of All Fears (2002)

You won't be disappointed!

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Great adaption of the book and superbly well acted throughout.

I remember really wanting to see this movie when I saw the trailer back in 2002. I finally got around to watching it this morning. It's been predictably slammed by the book brigade and those with an unhealthy hatred for Ben Affleck. I thought it was ok, but nothing spectacular. A film where a nuclear bomb explodes on mainland America should have felt more dramatic. I thought that part was relatively weak. Still worth a watch. It made me ponder about the human race.

Here's a fresh interpretation of a popular Tom Clancy novel, which mixes CIA jargon with presidential anguish into a pleasing, pulse-pounding brew. The impact of the 9/11 disaster is readily apparent in this suspenseful movie which is part disaster-film itself. The old trick of US vs. Russia (but not really) is familiar territory, but through crisp writing and engaging characters the story is given time to develop, strengthening the clichés and making everything very watchable. A strong budget leads to some very effective effects sequences, and cinematography and score are both excellent. The cast is also populated with some strong character actors – Liev Schrieber has never been better than here, as a spy; Morgan Freeman does his 'wise old mentor' role with skill, wit and relish; James Cromwell makes for a very human and believable president; even the usually bland Ben Affleck comes out good, having followed in Harrison Ford's shoes as the heroic Jack Ryan.The opening of the film sets the style well and leads us into some very dark areas. One of the major incidents in the film involves a nuclear weapon exploding in a packed US city, which makes for pretty frightening viewing. Realism seems to be 100% through and through and there are no annoying plot holes or discrepancies. The last half of the film racks up the suspense levels with tons of action and adventure, making this a film to be watched and a darned sight better than most modern fare.

I just watched The Sum of All Fears. Isn't it ever spring in Moscow? The crisis starts during the White House Correspondents Dinner. That's usually around the end of April or the beginning of May. There was still a couple of feet of snow in Russia! April and May the temperature is usually above freezing. It's not just this picture, every movie I remember seeing, Moscow is always frozen solid! Red Heat, Gorky Park, Russia House. Just once I'd like to see a film set in Russia where you can't see the actors breath. Has there ever been a movie where the sun is shining in Russia?J. Woodiwiss