The Sum of All Fears (film)

The Sum of All Fears (film)
source
Name	The Sum of All Fears
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Phil Alden Robinson
Producer	Mace Neufeld
Writer	Paul Attanasio, Daniel Pyne
Starring	Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Liev Schreiber, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Bates, Ciarán Hinds
Music	Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography	John Lindley
Editing	Neil Travis
Studio	Mace Neufeld Productions, MFP Munich Film Partners GmbH & Company I. Produktions KG
Distributor	Paramount Pictures
Released	May 31, 2002
Runtime	124 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$68 million
Gross	$193.9 million

The Sum of All Fears (film) is a 2002 American political thriller film directed by Phil Alden Robinson and starring Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan. Based on the 1991 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy, the film serves as a reboot of the Jack Ryan film series, depicting the character's early career. The plot centers on Ryan and his mentor, CIA analyst William Cabot (Morgan Freeman), as they race to prevent a catastrophic war between the United States and Russia triggered by a clandestine neo-Nazi faction. The film was a commercial success, grossing nearly $200 million worldwide.

Plot

Following the death of the Russian President, a new, untested leader, Alexander Nemerov (Ciarán Hinds), assumes power, creating tension with Washington. Meanwhile, a lost Israeli nuclear weapon is discovered in the Syrian Desert by a crew led by an arms dealer, Olson (Colm Feore). The device is sold to a wealthy Austrian neo-Nazi, Richard Dressler (Alan Bates), whose faction plans to detonate it during the American Super Bowl in Baltimore to frame Moscow and ignite a nuclear war. Young CIA analyst Jack Ryan uncovers the conspiracy, but his warnings are initially dismissed. After the bomb devastates Baltimore, President Robert Fowler (James Cromwell) and Nemerov are pushed to the brink of a full-scale exchange. Ryan and field officer John Clark (Liev Schreiber) must infiltrate the Russian Kremlin to present evidence and avert global annihilation.

Cast

* Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan, a young and intuitive CIA analyst. * Morgan Freeman as William Cabot, the Deputy Director of Intelligence and Ryan's mentor. * James Cromwell as President Robert Fowler. * Liev Schreiber as John Clark, a seasoned CIA field operative. * Bridget Moynahan as Dr. Cathy Muller, a physician and Ryan's love interest. * Alan Bates as Richard Dressler, the Austrian neo-Nazi mastermind. * Ciarán Hinds as President Alexander Nemerov of Russia. * Michael Byrne as Anatoly Grushkov, the head of the FSB. * Colm Feore as Olson, an opportunistic arms dealer. * Josef Sommer as Secretary of State Luther. * Philip Baker Hall as Defense Secretary David Becker.

Production

Development began at Paramount Pictures with the intent to reboot the Jack Ryan film series with a younger protagonist, following earlier films starring Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford. Director Phil Alden Robinson and screenwriters Paul Attanasio and Daniel Pyne significantly updated the source material, changing the villains from Arab terrorists to neo-Nazis and moving the setting to a post-Cold War era. Principal photography took place in locations including Montreal, Ottawa, and Cleveland, with the Super Bowl sequence filmed at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The score was composed by the legendary Jerry Goldsmith. The production faced heightened sensitivity regarding its depiction of nuclear terrorism following the September 11 attacks.

Differences from the novel

The film adaptation makes substantial changes to Tom Clancy's original novel. The primary antagonists are shifted from the militant group Islamic Dawn to a European neo-Nazi conspiracy. The character of John Clark is introduced earlier in the narrative, and the romantic subplot with Cathy Muller is condensed. The geopolitical context is updated from a crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union to one involving the modern Russian Federation. The climactic nuclear detonation occurs at the Super Bowl in the film, whereas in the novel, it destroys Denver during the Super Bowl.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Morgan Freeman and Liev Schreiber and the tense direction of Phil Alden Robinson but criticized the convoluted plot and the casting of Ben Affleck as a younger Jack Ryan. It was a box office success, earning nearly $200 million globally against a $68 million budget. Commentators noted the film's unsettling premise in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the anthrax attacks. The film's soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith was nominated for a World Soundtrack Award. Despite its commercial performance, the planned sequel was canceled, and the franchise was later rebooted again with Chris Pine in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

Category:2002 films Category:American political thriller films Category:Films based on works by Tom Clancy Category:Paramount Pictures films