The Sum of All Fears

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The Sum of All Fears

PG-13

Released May 31, 2002

1h 58m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

177 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Based on Tom Clancy's novel, this espionage thriller tracks a sinister plot to draw the United States and Russia into World War III. When the Russian president (Ciarán Hinds) suddenly dies, world tension escalates. Coupled with missing nuclear scientists and the threat of a nuclear detonation on United States soil, young CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) must uncover who is behind the conspiracy.

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Critics Consensus

A slick and well-made thriller that takes on new weight due to the current political climate.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

In this Bush-Ashcroft age, we do not especially need more strictures on civil liberties, but after this despicable film perhaps the great minds of Movieland could be persuaded to agree on a ground rule: films about nuclear terror must not be risible.

Jan 5, 2018

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

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Laura Bushell

BBC.com

Deals with a chillingly topical nuclear attack on Baltimore. But perhaps more disturbingly, it rehashes it into a Ben Affleck action romance.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 5, 2002

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Jason Caro

Radio Times

The intelligent twists and taut pacing ensure entertaining, albeit occasionally uncomfortable, viewing.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 9, 2024

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

If released in a calmer world, the movie would be received and understood, if not necessarily enjoyed, as yet another piece of militaristic pulp from the factory of Tom Clancy, in which only one ingenious American can avert catastrophe.

Rated: C-

Sep 17, 2022

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Effective Hollywood thriller in which Ben Affleck replaces Harrison Ford as airport novel author Tom Clancy's favourite creation, CIA super-snoop Jack Ryan.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 9, 2020

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Jerod S

Far from the book, but still a decent nuclear crisis film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

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KB B

The first half was really good. There was just too many silly events in the second half to take the story seriously. Watch if there's nothing else on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/01/24

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Audience Member

Not sure why the score is so low on this one. My wife and I both enjoyed it. The first half of the movie is REALLY good. The second half had a few questionable things but overall it was a good movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/22/24

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Chuck D

Nuke scene is cool, don't understand how this Jack Ryan one gets so much hate it's about as good as the other ones.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/21/24

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Mark B

A bit dated and I would like 10 minutes shaved off the third act, but overall a satisfying thriller. Ben Afflick does a fine job in the role.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

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Andrew T

All you need from a good spy thriller

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

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Phil Alden Robinson

Director

Ben Affleck

Jack Ryan

Morgan Freeman

William Cabot

James Cromwell

President Fowler

Liev Schreiber

John Clark

Bridget Moynahan

Dr. Kathy Muller

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The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - The Bomb is in Play

2:03

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - This Virus Is Airborne

1:31

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - Terrorist Attack

0:57

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - Back Down

1:59

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - Keep The Back Channels Open

1:57

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - I Can't Tell You That

1:31

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - I Don't Think He Did It

2:12

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - I Like Him

2:11

The Sum of All Fears: Official Clip - Everyone Has Opinions

1:48

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Synopsis

Based on Tom Clancy's novel, this espionage thriller tracks a sinister plot to draw the United States and Russia into World War III. When the Russian president (Ciarán Hinds) suddenly dies, world tension escalates. Coupled with missing nuclear scientists and the threat of a nuclear detonation on United States soil, young CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) must uncover who is behind the conspiracy.

Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Producer: Mace Neufeld
Screenwriter: Paul Attanasio, Daniel Pyne, Tom Clancy
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Mace Neufeld Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Disaster Images|Brief Strong Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $118.5M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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