Patriot Games

Stage 3/5 of the Jack Ryan film collection, this time starring Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan, a former marine and CIA agent.

They really weren't going easy on the stars in this film either. Sean Bean, James Earl Jones, James Fox, Richard Harris and Samuel L Jackson. Patriot Games sees Sean Bean star against Harrison Ford as the evil angry guy that gets his brother killed by Ryan and then goes on to spend the entire film trying to kill him and his family. This film is basically a war between the IRA (or other Irish fighters) and the USA. Some racism and some really stupid things, stupid thinking and a stupid but simple plot makes for quite an interesting film.

I believe that Harrison Ford is more convincing as a CIA agent and ex military over Alec Baldwin but the continuity doesn't really work. In 'The Hunt For Red October' Jack Ryan explains to Sean Connery that he is not a naval officer, he is a CIA agent and doesn't really know anything about ships. In this film he is recognised as a marine and ex CIA agent. So how can they follow on from each other? The answer is simple- continuity in that period of time sucked- film makers didn't even know what it was.

I don't need to praise Samuel L Jackson anymore than I have already done over the last two years- he is fantastic but I do need to praise Richard Harris. The Irish accent, the stunning performance as the IRA spokesperson- everything was fantastic from him. I was really impressed with his performance. A man that I have only seen play 'older' characters just before his death. Seeing this reminds me that I need to go through IMDB and pull out a few of his films to watch and admire.

So happy that we decided to watch this film after not being able to watch either Captain America or X-Men.