The Sum of All Fears

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Zom L Phil Alden Robinson’s The Sum of All Fears is a mixed bag of a political thriller that tries to juggle the Tom Clancy brand, a new Jack Ryan actor, and the anxieties of a post–Cold War, post-9/11 world. The results land somewhere in the middle: not great, not terrible, just good enough to be worth a watch. Ben Affleck steps into the shoes of Jack Ryan, following Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford, and he’s fine. He doesn’t have Baldwin’s intensity or Ford’s gravitas; instead, he plays Ryan as a bright but unseasoned CIA analyst still finding his footing. It works conceptually for a “younger Ryan,” but Affleck’s performance never really elevates the material. He’s competent without being compelling, which leaves the character feeling a bit generic compared to the portrayals before him. The film’s biggest flaw lies in its pacing. The first hour drags noticeably, weighed down by sluggish set-up and too many plot threads that take their time connecting. The political maneuvering, shadowy conspiracies, and nuclear doomsday scenarios are all present, but they unfold with a stiffness that saps early momentum. You can feel the gears grinding to get to the good stuff. That said, once the film finally finds its rhythm—particularly as the nuclear threat becomes tangible—the tension ramps up impressively. The Washington sequences after the detonation, the uncertainty of who’s responsible, and the delicate brinkmanship between the U.S. and Russia give the second half real bite. Morgan Freeman, as CIA Director William Cabot, is the glue holding much of it together. His calm authority grounds the story and keeps it from veering too far into melodrama. Thematically, The Sum of All Fears has weight. It plays with the nightmare scenario of miscalculation and escalation between nuclear powers, something that feels frighteningly plausible even today. The execution may falter, but the ideas resonate. In the end, this movie doesn’t soar, but it doesn’t sink either. It’s an average Jack Ryan entry with flashes of suspense that justify sticking through the clunky start. You won’t walk away dazzled, but you’ll likely walk away entertained. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/16/25 Full Review John W A rather uninteresting film that is quickly forgotten. The production is also uninspiring and fails to impress. It is not entirely bad, with a well-known cast and other elements that are okay, but nothing more. It is also not a film that is enjoyable to watch, with too many long boring dialogues. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/21/25 Full Review D P Didn't know this was a Jack Ryan story. Another movie I only learned about because social media was talking about it. Eh... true to its genre. It's okay. Just okay. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review Raymond C A slow first half that is I think is held afloat by a strong second half featuring a thrilling nuclear bomb detonation scene. Unfortunately, I think Ben Affleck gives the weakest performance as Jack Ryan. He never really gives us anything new to the character and is by far the most forgettable addition. I still enjoy this film but it's definitely one of the weaker entries. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/07/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/17/25 Full Review Snek B I find it quite dumb that a nuclear response from America did not happen quicker, nonetheless, 5/5 stars Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/11/25 Full Review Read all reviews

The Sum of All Fears

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