Patriot Games

source: Patriot Games

I barely was aware of The Troubles when I saw this in the theater back in 1992, but it was obvious at the time this IRA member wouldn't have a fraction of the resources to launch his attacks in the US. How does he motivate his compatriots to undertake such actions so far from Ireland?

I enjoyed the first half of this film but if I hadn't read the book before watching this film I'd have been disappointed that the last half hour seems to consist of a bunch of people aimlessly banging about in a dark house. This was truly awful to watch. Having read the book, the fact that every scene seems to have been written around Harrison Ford is very irritating. Tasks accomplished by teams of people in both the book and in real life are solely done by Jack Ryan. An important character in the book but not the only one. Having said that, Harrison Ford does as good a job as anyone could have in portraying Jack Ryan. The actress playing his young daughter is wonderful but the wife character doesn't ring true somehow.

This is quite an interesting idea, basically someone ruins a plan and then he and his family are the new targets. When CIA cop Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) ruins an assassination, maybe intentionally, I'm not sure) he then becomes the new target. These people want to get his family involved as well. These nasty people are lead by Sean Miller (Sean Bean), and there is a really good fight scene near the end between him and Ryan. There are some pretty good chase sequences in the film, but I think it is Ford and Bean that make the film really good. Also starring Samuel L. Jackson as Lt. Cmdr. Robby Jackson, James Earl Jones as Adm. James Greer, Richard Harris as Paddy O'Neil and Bob Gunton as Interviewer. Good!

I love this movie for two reasons: Harrison Ford and Anne Archer. I was a big fan of the Tom Clancy novels at one time and loved seeing them turned into films. Harrison Ford is the best person I could imagine to play jack Ryan. he did a fantastic job. I love Anne Archer, too. She was just so damn desirable in this movie. A special shout out to Thora Birch, who played their daughter. She is just so cute! This film is constant and hot action with a supporting cast that is to die for: Patrick Bergin, Sean Bean, Richard Harris, James Earl Jones, James Fox, and Samuel L. Jackson. What more could you possibly want in a movie?

Does anyone remember the scene where the IRA busted their fellow terrorist out of the back of that police truck? Well here's my question. Why on earth would the police have been transporting a dangerous criminal who tried to kill members of the royal family in front of Buckinham Palace.....UNARMED. The police had no weapons. Not even a can of mace. I still remember that line. The terrorists says "throw down your weapons" and the cop goes "we are unarmed". Uh, yeah. Chalk one up for British security.

"Patriot Games" is a good movie starring Harrison Ford that is pretty dull throughout it's time run. Even if it stars someone like Harrison Ford, the plot is simple and there is not much of impression throughout it. Not any cliffhanger or plot twist near the end. Ford is good as always but he doesn't save the film. Sean Bean as usual is the villain and what a surprise! He dies again... the problem I have with this film is not only the story but the title as well. The Irish characters are Patriots and every act they do is for North Iralend their country. But in the case of Jack Ryan (Ford) and Sean Miller (Bean). Their actions are personal so it doesn't fit the movie's title nor the intentions of the other characters. At least the movie provided a few action and intensive moments to light things up. Not that bad.

This film started off well enough, ran half length huffing puffing and simply gave up.. The climax is startlingly similar to a typical mas-ala Hindi film(Indian)..the hero never dies after thousands of bullets are fired at him, while baddies die even with fluke shots..How artificial can it get..Wait till the end when guns and bullets give place to fisticuffs and sticks and rods,,almost a throw back to stone age.. Is this really a Tom Clancy novel..the same as Hunt for Red October? A bad film to see Harrison ford in..the child artist is wonderful but then that is all there is to it! The CIA and IRA surroundings also look clichéd and artificial..somehow no professional touch in Direction..

When CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets him and his family for revenge. The actors who played Jack and Caroline Ryan in "The Hunt for Red October", Alec Baldwin and Gates McFadden, were unavailable. Baldwin had committed to perform in "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway. In 2011, Baldwin says he did not appear because of "sleazy Hollywood tools." I just want to take this time to say that Harrison Ford is the definitive Jack Ryan. No offense to Baldwin, and no offense to Ben Affleck, who are both being excellent actors in their own right. But Ford just has the right look of an experienced agent, and someone you expect to get in combat with another spy.

This is a perfectly fine action movie and, as an introduction to the Jack Ryan character, it isn't awful by any means. It is however, not *nearly* as smart and twisty as either Clear and Present Danger or Hunt for Red October. Once the revenge plot is set up at the beginning of the film it more or less marches by-the-numbers down to the final confrontation. Not a bad film. Just not a great one either, and definitely the weak sister of the three. If all you are looking for is action, you'll love it. If, however, you are looking for depth in the story telling, try one of the other two first.