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The Sum of All Fears (PG-13, 2002)

common sense media says

Generic action film not good for kids, or anyone.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a fairly typical blow-'em-up movie. Characters drink, smoke, curse, kill one another, and commit espionage and acts of terrorism. The film addresses the worst case scenario for a missing nuclear weapon, which has fallen into the hands of a terrorist group based in the Middle East. The film's representation of Middle Eastern people and culture is two-dimensional. The destruction and violence depicted in the movie may be upsetting to younger viewers, and the film's political themes will likely confuse them.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: There are some individual killings as well as disaster images.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The Superbowl figures largely in the plot.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some drinking and smoking
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More on The Sum of All Fears

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about issues of arms races and nuclear weapons control. How likely is a scenario like the one depicted in this movie? What measures should be taken to keep nuclear weapons from becoming a threat? The film also addresses social responsibility. Jack Ryan risks his career and his life to ensure the safety of the American public. While this is clearly the "right" thing to do, how does Jack manage to make this risky decision?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS centers on Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck), a CIA pencil pusher called in to help provide insight to Russian-American relations after the assassination of the Russian president. When a low-yield nuclear bomb is detonated at the Superbowl, the CIA assumes that the Russians may well be to blame. Jack convinced otherwise, risks his career and his life to find the real explanation. The audience learns early in the film that the terrorist act is the work of a Middle Eastern terrorist cell that bought a stray nuclear weapon, and then watches Jack struggle to discover the same information.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Filled with explosions and espionage, The Sum of All Fears is a typical big budget action film in most regards. It attempts to be thought-provoking, but manages only to be alarmist. The acting is nothing to write home about. As Jack Ryan, Ben Affleck does his best, which isn't saying much. Bridget Moynahan in the role of Dr. Cathy Muller, Morgan Freeman is consistent as Ryan's supervisor, DCI William Cabot. Similarly bland, the special effects in the film consist, unsurprisingly, of a series of explosions and shootings.

This isn't a terrible movie, but it's just middle-of-the-road action. The film's treatment of global politics is over-simplified. While the scenario outlined in the movie might be conceivable, it's highly unlikely. The film is too violent to make sense as family entertainment, and the political agenda means that the time it takes to watch the film might be better spent reading the newspaper.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Cast: Ben Affleck, Liev Schreiber, Morgan Freeman
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 123 minutes
Theatrical release: May 31, 2002
DVD release: October 29, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence, disaster images, and brief strong violence.
This review was written by Carly Kocurek
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

GOOD MOTHER
parent of and 9 , 12 , 14 year old
15
 
Good movie!
I thought the over all movie was pretty good. Lot's of action and suspense. Good acting. Glad I watched it.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
9001
teen, 15 years old
14
 
Some disturbing violent content, violence, some sexual content, and some strong language.
I found particular aspects of this movie to be very disturbing. The scene in the dark room with the corpses was disturbing, and I find the scene where Freeman looks around at the huge crowd of people about to be blown up disturbing. There is also some violence and disaster images. At the beginning, there is a scene where a man and a woman prepare for sex but never get there (they are still clothed; you can briefly see the woman pull a strap back up her shoulder when the man has to answer the phone). There are some kisses. There are some uses of the word ---d--n, infrequent use of the word $*** (one with b**l). There is one use of the F word. In general, I rate this movie iffy for ages 14-15 mainly because of the disturbing violent content. In terms of the language, this movie would be iffy for ages 13-14 (just as long as your child understood not to repeat the language they heard), in terms of the sexual content, this movie would be iffy for ages 13-14, and in terms of violence, this movie would be iffy for ages 14-15. Therefore, this movie is iffy for ages 14-15.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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