These 2021 Sundance Film Festival headliners became household names thanks to some unforgettable roles early in their careers.
Here are some well-known faces from Sundance over the years, as they brought their early movies to the festival.
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Title: Patriot Games (1992)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Harrison Ford | ... | Jack Ryan | |
| Anne Archer | ... | Cathy Ryan | |
| Patrick Bergin | ... | Kevin O'Donnell | |
| Sean Bean | ... | Sean Miller | |
| Thora Birch | ... | Sally Ryan | |
| James Fox | ... | Lord Holmes | |
| Samuel L. Jackson | ... | Robby | |
| Polly Walker | ... | Annette | |
| J.E. Freeman | ... | Marty Cantor | |
| James Earl Jones | ... | Admiral Greer | |
| Richard Harris | ... | Paddy O'Neil | |
| Alex Norton | ... | Dennis Cooley | |
| Hugh Fraser | ... | Watkins | |
| David Threlfall | ... | Inspector Highland | |
| Alun Armstrong | ... | Owens | |
Former CIA analyst, Jack Ryan is in England with his family on vacation when he suddenly witnesses an explosion outside Buckingham Palace. It is revealed that some people are trying to abduct a member of the Royal Family but Jack intervenes, killing one of them and capturing the other, and stops the plan in its tracks. Afterwards, he learns that they're Irish revolutionaries and the two men are brothers. During his court hearing the one that's still alive vows to get back at Jack but is sentenced and that seems to be the end of it. However, whilst the man is being transported, he is broken out. Jack learns of this but doesn't think there's anything to worry about. But, when he is at the Naval Academy someone tries to kill him. He learns that they are also going after his family and so he rushes to find them, safe but having also been the victims of a failed assassination. That's when Jack decides to rejoin the CIA, and they try to find the man before he makes another attempt. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com
If I were to make a quick summary of this movie, it would be "a good, but not great, action flick." I don't think this movie was intended to be innovative, to be great, to be memorable. What it was intended to be was entertaining, and it lived up to this expectation.
Harrison Ford is the master of remaining as low-key as possible. He has had so many films where he can over-emphasize, over-dramatize, and simply over-act. Ford has the maturity to keep this from happening, and he does so again in this film. Ford is supported quite well with such actors/actresses as James Earl Jones (reprising his role as Greer from The Hunt for Red October), Samuel L. Jackson, and Anne Archer. For an action flick, acting is much above average.
It was also suspenseful...thrilling. I thought the ending had a nice build-up and climax. I realize this is different from the book's ending...but remember, these are two different visions...not the same one. This brings up a big point in movie-watching: Comparing a movie to a book is the worst thing you can do. They are two completely different genres. More importantly, as I said before, they are two different visions.
I'm not a big action fan. I used to be, but anymore most stories are the same. To this end I would say Patriot Games is fairly mainstream. However, it was always fun to watch and sometimes thrilling to watch. I'm also not a big Tom Clancy fan, but I've given the movies based off his books a shot because again they are different visions. The result is (at least with Patriot Games) a good film to watch on a Saturday night with a bowl of popcorn. Don't expect great things, but don't expect to be disappointed, either.
Rating: 7/10