Morgan Freeman will draw me into a theatre 100% of the time I see his name.  He has style and class which made me wonder WHY Ben Affleck's name came before his in the opening credits.  I understand that Affleck was playing Jack Ryan who is the main character in the Tom Clancy stories, but, HE CAN'T ACT!!!  Never could and though he was a little better this time, I feel he rates no better than a co-star.  They keep trying to make him into something he isn't...........AN ACTOR!  Morgan was great as usual as was James Cromwell who portrays the President of the United States.

The story begins in 1973 with an Israeli Jet, carrying a nuclear bomb, being shot down in the desert.  29 years later the bomb is found and falls into the hands of terrorists.  After a long journey, it ends up in Baltimore where it goes off at a football game attended by the president.  We think the Russians did it.  They mistakenly think we have attacked them and things escalate.  Tempers flare and fingers are on buttons.  It showed just how quickly things can get TOTALLY out of hand.

This picture was shot before 9/11 and has been on the shelf until now.  Many say that this story will "fuel fears" of terrorism.  I HOPE IT DOES!!!  This is a timely tale of what can happen if we fail to heed the warnings that have be shoved in our face.  The PCBS is rampant in out society and it will cost us dearly.  Even in this picture it reared its ugly head.  Instead of making the terrorists Arabs, as we know most are, they made them modern day Nazis who were trying to turn the super powers against each other.

That aside, I think the story and message (though I ain't much on messages) are extremely important today and even though it has flaws, a valuable lesson is there.  On pure entertainment value, it was very suspenseful and energetic and the momentum grew to a fever pitch.  I liked it.

RECOMMENDATION:  Every American should see what CAN happen as presented by this well made picture.  You may get a chill when the bomb goes off.

TWO "WAKE UP AMERICA" THUMBS UP!!!

Movie Review © 2002 by Terry Anderson