Ford gets a taste of Jack Ryan (Patriot Games (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Patriot Games (DVD)
Date:	12/09/08 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Non stop action

Disadvantages: Limited acting

Patriot Games is the 1992 film starring Harrison FGord based on the novel by Tom Clancy. It is a direct sequel to Hunt For Red October in terms of stories, but can easily be watched on its own without having seen the previous film, which starred Alec Baldwin in the role of Jack Ryan, here played by Harrison Ford.

Ryan is a retired CIA agent on holiday with his family in Ireland. As bad luck would have it, he interferes with an IRA attack, and becomes the target himself. However, CIA expert Ryan has other ideas, and the last thing any terrorists want to be doing is targeting him.

Ford gives a good rendition of Jack Ryan. He was to follow it up with Clear and Present Danger a few years later, but is very good in the role here. Equally excellent is Sean Bean as IRA soldier Sean Miller, and Patrick Bergin and Anne Archer are solid in their portrayals as Kevin O'Donnell and Ryan's wife Cathy repectively. The remainder of the cast do well, although it is not really the cast this film is memorable for - it is more the explosive nature and tense political plot that give it high entertainment value. Some of the filming is excellent work, and director Phillip Noyce really does know how to give us a good adventure spy action thriller.

The film does deviate from the book somewhat, which annoyed author Tom Clancy, and he stepped away from its production. The film is decent enough, and gives us some thirlling entertainment. Yes, it is very similar to other action films in terms of non stop fighting and a predictable ending, but ultimately, it's a popular plotline to follow, and Noyce does it very well.

Summary: Good first outing from Ford as Jack Ryan