The Sum of all Fears (2002)

From NetFlix:

Why are three missing Russian nuclear scientists holed up in the Ukraine, communicating with neo-Nazis? CIA agent Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) digs up more information than the U.S. government is willing to accept. As bombs kill thousands in Chechnya and the U.S., Ryan races against time to prevent all-out nuclear war. Based on the novel by Tom Clancy, this high-intensity technothriller co-stars Morgan Freeman.

Apologies to Tom Clancy, but “ho hum, yawn yawn” – we have seen such a film many times before. Still, a plot to deceive the U.S. and Russia to engage each other in nuclear war has possibilities. What is amazing is that Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) walks on water: he speaks Russian and Ukrainian; he is a Soviet expert; he is personal friends with the current head of Russia; and to top it all he is young and handsome. Darn!

And what fun planting a nuclear bomb in a full football stadium! Seeing a photo enactment of a nuclear bomb explosion and the resulting shock wave is impressive. Needless to say our superhero survives what the shock wave does to the helicopter he is flying (Oh, did I forget to mention he knows how to fly a helicopter?)

Except for the exciting fact that the wonderful city of Baltimore is mentioned often, I will say no more. Either watch this film or take a healthy walk outside.

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