The Jack Ryan Film Series: The Sum of all Fears (Uncut | Region Free Blu-ray | US Import)

Ben does a great job on this and it’s a great thriller.

画質は良い。ただしイギリス版なので日本語字幕や吹き替えはない。なくても困らないが、音声データの音圧レベルが低く、特に会話はテレビのスピーカーではかなりボリュームを上げないと聞き取れない。外付けスピーカーでウーファーを効かせるとようやくまともに聞くことができた。そのため★ひとつマイナスした。

…One of my favorite movies; however, I am not a Tom Clancy reader. I’ve always believed a movie cannot live up to a novel- it is a different form of medium, and the human imagination, inspired by excellent prose, is a powerful, enriching, and vast experience. Nevertheless, this movie stands on its own for what it is- an entertaining well crafted and politically relevant movie….If you are a fan of a certain other CIA movie, “The Good Shepard”, this is vastly different, and by different I mean Matt Damon different, who trashes America every chance he gets. His vitriol towards the CIA is obvious. Ironically, now it is “his guy” misusing power in every way possible….Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” is certainly to the “right” ideologically, and there is validity to that criticism- he’s a straight up “boy scout”, yet I believe his portrayal is far closer to the norm than Mr. Damon’s….Look at the real life current events playing out- right now:…Unlike the Sum Of All Fears, there is no question that Putin is a “hard line old school KGB” leader. That may not seem alarming to the liberal professors at most major universities; however, imagine how an average “pro-west” citizen of Ukraien feels right about now? The threat may not be primarily nuclear, but Russia will most certainly occupy her is the near future. I’m not a prophet- Putin is hell bent on reforming the USSR, one piece at a time, and he has repeatedly and publically stated just that! “Nationalism” is a driving force in Russia, especially amongst their young people….The movie also expresses the desire of Europe to move out of the role of “a protected child”.For different reasons from SOAF’s, they understand that there is no longer an assurance of peace from the United States, whose military, including it’s navy is being downsized dramatically. Most Americans seem to agree with this- “we can’t police the world” is a phrase I hear frequently. This view is not without merit, but the consequences are frightening. I recently talked with a former Ukrainian physician, whose father was a chief military surgeon at the time of Chernobyl. The Russian’s most certainly poisoned their first pro-west political leader- it wasn’t a nuclear bomb in Baltimore- it was nuclear sushi in London! (Not kidding!) He ages 50 years in 12 months….I also spoke with a man from Mongolia. This country has found great natural resources over the past decade, including coal, natural gas and oil. They are VERY nervous about Russia. They have no military to speak of… Their only real protection is an international friendship with.. guess who? You got it- the USA. Our embassy there is a major source of comfort for the Mongolian people. Hmmm, think about Benghazi!…American political leadership and clout is all but non-existent- the polar opposite of what is portrayed in SOAF. Putin scoffs at our president, who “played his hand” very early in the Crimean conflict. He stated we WLL NOT use any military force if Russia invades the Ukraine. Many Americans agree, and that’s OK- we are a democracy, or at least used to be; however, the president of the most powerful nation on earth should not have revealed his hand so easily. His comments reveal weakness and incredible naivety….The movie even delves into the powder-keg of our time- the Israeli Muslim conflict- listed by many as the most likely scenario for the start of WW III. (Once again- not kidding) It goes like this: Israel makes a first strike on Iran- hitting their nuclear production sites- obviously to prevent a nuclear attack- similar (or worse) to the fictional nuclear bomb in Baltimore seen in SOAF’s. In the recent past, Iran and her neighbors, save Iraq, hesitate to invade, as was attempted in 1973: SOAF’s opening references this war, where Egypt & Syria attempted to wipe Israel off the map. America, a “former” friend of Israel, played a key role in aiding Israel- without hesitation….But wait a minute… TODAY…Do we hesitate? Will America come to Israel’s aide or not? Will our president give another speech on how “This is simply not done in the 21st century”. Wow… really?…In summary, the movie paints a picture of the CIA which is likely overly altruistic, as well as a strong president who understands the stakes. I believe the CIA has been (before our current president) closer to this movie’s depiction than the insufferable Matt Damon’s view….More importantly… the real life dangers of America’s inept (present day) foreign policy are for many… The Sum of All Fears!