DVD Review: The Sum Of All Fears (From Barry And District News)

DVD Review: The Sum Of All Fears

IF YOU are a fan of Tom Clancy novels, and have followed films like Patriot Games and Hunt for Red October, you will have to keep an open mind to enjoy The Sum of all Fears.

When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown, President Zorkin (Richard Marner) succeeds him.

The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot (Morgan Freeman) recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation.

That raw recruit is Jack Ryan, but his character is completely re-written, making him a 20-something historian, rather than the seasoned Jack Ryan most viewers may be expecting.

However, the plot continues as the unthinkable happens. A nuclear bomb explodes in Baltimore, and America rushes to blame the Russians. What they don't realise is terrorists, bent on provoking open war between the two nations, are behind it all. And the raw materials that caused the devastating blast actually came from home soil.

While it is a substantial film that can quite easily stand on its own, Ben Affleck is not exactly a suitable replacement for Harrison Ford if the story line is to be carried throughout.

The extra features on the DVD explain why the changes came about, and as long as you accept the film at face value you should be thoroughly entertained.