THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (2002)

Completely disregarding the first three Jack Ryan films, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS casts Ben Affleck as a young CIA analyst who is an expert on a lesser known Russian figure (Ciaran Hinds) who is suddenly announced as the new Russian president, after the old one unexpectedly kicks the bucket.  Because of this Ryan is summoned by CIA Director (Morgan Freeman).  At the same time, the Nazis get their hands on a nuclear bomb.  Soon, tensions rise between America and Russia, so it's up to Jack Ryan to save the day.

I really enjoyed the first three Jack Ryan films, but TSOAF just didn't have the same magic to it.  Not only was Affleck unable to fully portray character first played excellently by Alec Baldwin and then perfected by Harrison Ford, but the story didn't feel very original.  Blah, blah, blah, missing nuclear bomb, yelling and posturing, helicopter crashing, fast typing...I don't know, the supporting cast was really good (except for Ryan's girlfriend, she was boring), but the direction was so bland and the story so played out that there was little tension.

At the end of the day, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS made money at the box office and it is watchable, but it's easy to see why this reboot failed to garner any sequels.

Part 1 - The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Part 2 - Patriot Games (1992)
Part 3 - Clear and Present Danger (1994)
Reboot 2 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

SALEM'S LOT (2004)

You know the story: famous writer comes back to his hometown to confront some childhood demons concerning a creepy mansion.  While there, some vampire shenanigans pop off and he takes it upon himself to kick all of those smelly bloodsuckers in their undead nuts.

I liked this version...or, at least, the first two hours.  The introduction of the town and it's citizens is done well enough.  The story is continually moving forward, but then in the last hour, everything just putters to an end.  Like the movie itself was getting sleepy.

Dated early 2000's TV-level digital effects, steady pace, good writing despite a few plot holes (why didn't the priest recognize the homeless dude in the opening scene?), unsatisfying ending, unsatisfying looking vampires, one of the lamest boss fight in movie history, Donald Sutherland doing a Max von Sydow as Leland Gaunt impersonation(?), a Cujo reference, strong cast with good acting.

Overall, it's not a bad watch (especially for a made-for-TV movie), but I can't see any reason to watch it too often.

 

Miniseries from same source material - Salem's Lot (1979)

Sequel to original miniseries - A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)