Here's a fresh interpretation of a popular Tom Clancy novel, which mixes CIA jargon with presidential anguish into a pleasing, pulse-pounding brew. The impact of the 9/11 disaster is readily apparent in this suspenseful movie which is part disaster-film itself. The old trick of US vs. Russia (but not really) is familiar territory, but through crisp writing and engaging characters the story is given time to develop, strengthening the clichés and making everything very watchable. A strong budget leads to some very effective effects sequences, and cinematography and score are both excellent. The cast is also populated with some strong character actors – Liev Schrieber has never been better than here, as a spy; Morgan Freeman does his 'wise old mentor' role with skill, wit and relish; James Cromwell makes for a very human and believable president; even the usually bland Ben Affleck comes out good, having followed in Harrison Ford's shoes as the heroic Jack Ryan.

The opening of the film sets the style well and leads us into some very dark areas. One of the major incidents in the film involves a nuclear weapon exploding in a packed US city, which makes for pretty frightening viewing. Realism seems to be 100% through and through and there are no annoying plot holes or discrepancies. The last half of the film racks up the suspense levels with tons of action and adventure, making this a film to be watched and a darned sight better than most modern fare.

In the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, Israel launches a plane with a nuke but then is shot down over the Golans. In modern times, the nuclear bomb is found by arab scrappers and falls into the hands of arms trader Olson (Colm Feore). Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) works behind a desk as a CIA analyst. He's brought in to advise on the new Russian President Nemerov (Ciarán Hinds). Everybody thinks Nemerov is a hardliner except Ryan. His girlfriend Dr. Cathy Muller (Bridget Moynahan) doesn't know about his work. DCI William Cabot (Morgan Freeman) brings Ryan to Russia to inspect disarming efforts and uncovers that 3 Russian scientists are missing. John Clark (Liev Schreiber) is sent to find the scientists. During the White House correspondence dinner, President Fowler (James Cromwell) and everybody is called in about a Russian chemical attack in Chechnya. Nemerov pretends that it's his operation instead of renegade generals. Clark discovers the 3 Russian scientists working on the nuke under Olson. A worldwide cabal of right wing nationalist parties smuggles the Israeli nuke into Washington and sets it off in a plan to ignite a war between the nuclear superpowers.

This Jack Ryan movie takes forever to get going. There is too much explaining and political intrigue. It's a little too much CSPAN. It's not good enough to be a spy movie and Jack Ryan has always been more action than cerebral. The franchise is action thriller with a brain. This feels like a Bond movie without the action sequences. And then a nuke goes off to make up for it. At least it's an exciting turn that injects some much needed energy. The other problem for this movie is the timing.

Sometimes world events overtake the movie world. This one suffers from coming out so soon after 9/11. The political intrigue would be passable in years past seems so cartoonish now. It tries so hard to be realistic but it just rings hallow. It's not gritty realistic enough, and neither is it cartoonish enough to be escapist fun. It's the worst of both worlds.

There are great actors at work here starting with Morgan Freeman. Ben Affleck is a good young Ryan even though it's a failed reboot. I can understand the criticism at the time. After the ridiculous 'Pearl Habor', he didn't have enough credibility. It's the start of his years of terrible roles and bad acting.

What is one of the worst things or even the worst that can happen? Nuclear war ... and at the time this is playing, the big players going at each others throats would be USA and Russia. Now the movie will not make a big secret of what is happening to the viewer, but it will be tough to see for the goverments themselves ... which leads us to the question I asked and also the answer - which obviously I won't reveal, because of spoilers and all that.

The acting is really good and the suspense is as high as it gets. You may know or think you know how this all will end, but that does not take away anything of the journey you are about to embark. Really good stuff and really well played from everyone involved. Some cliches are even taken head on and the movie spins them a little bit ... just a little bit, but still refreshing.

Haven't read any of the novels by the way, so I can not compare this to the source material. Which may be a good thing I reckon ... but I thought I'd mention it, just in case you were wondering how it fares.