Rating: Summary: A Soldier's Stories Review: This box set is now officially incomplete. Jack Ryan has returned for a fourth time in THE SUM OF ALL FEARS starring the young Ben Affleck as our favorite CIA analyst. But, this sturdy trilogy is great smart entertainment in the meantime. My only complaint involves a weak video transfer that falls apart in darker scenes. This occurs in all three films.THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER Alec Baldwin first created the screen role of the reluctant CIA analyst in THE HUNT. That Cold War relic was a tense thriller that will blow you out of the water- literally. John McTiernen (DIE HARD) created the best of the four films here even while keeping Ryan in a smaller role. Baldwin did an excellent job allowing for supporting characters like Sean Connery to drive the pace; he and the audience came along for the ride. And what a ride it is! Then when Baldwin hit the boards of Broadway, Harrison Ford took over the role. PATRIOT GAMES This was a more intimate film as a terrorist faction has their sites set on Ryan's immediate family. The much older Ford comfortably manipulated the role into the action hero category. Ryan prevents a terrorist attack that is attributed to the IRA. Not one to be easily defeated, the terrorist turns his sites on Ryan and his family. Philip Noyce picked up directing duties with this film. He continued the interest in the cool, cutting edge techno-gadgets. A tactical mission attack seen only through a satellite night vision shows a new kind of warfare, and a new way to watch it. PATRIOT GAMES puts a lot more on the back of Ryan, as October had Sean Connery's Ramius to carry much of the film. CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Ford returned in the drug war themed CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER which pushed the political corruption buttons of the United States government. When Ryan's mentor Admiral Greer (The wonderful James Earl Jones in a formulaic twist in character) is taken ill, Ryan reluctantly takes his job. The new responsibility causes problems in South America as the US President escalates the battle on drugs. It also causes problems at the CIA headquarters when power struggles put Ryan into serious peril. Director Philip Noyce delivers another film similar to PATRIOT GAMES. He again shows a playful game of intelligence chess, but this time the film culminates in a Rambo style rescue. Willem Dafoe is a former agent whose character keeps the audience guessing. Now, with THE SUM OF ALL FEARS we are re-introduced to Jack Ryan but that film is not available in this box set. One place where Affleck falls short is in the brief action hero moments of which Harrison Ford tackled so eloquently. The younger Affleck has a more lumbering presence and doesn't appear so agile. Now matter, all four of the Jack Ryan films are sturdy, smart entertainment and this box is a must for action film collections.
Rating: Summary: A Soldier's Stories Review: This box set is now officially incomplete. Jack Ryan has returned for a fourth time in THE SUM OF ALL FEARS starring the young Ben Affleck as our favorite CIA analyst. But, this sturdy trilogy is great smart entertainment in the meantime. My only complaint involves a weak video transfer that falls apart in darker scenes. This occurs in all three films. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER Alec Baldwin first created the screen role of the reluctant CIA analyst in THE HUNT. That Cold War relic was a tense thriller that will blow you out of the water- literally. John McTiernen (DIE HARD) created the best of the four films here even while keeping Ryan in a smaller role. Baldwin did an excellent job allowing for supporting characters like Sean Connery to drive the pace; he and the audience came along for the ride. And what a ride it is! Then when Baldwin hit the boards of Broadway, Harrison Ford took over the role. PATRIOT GAMES This was a more intimate film as a terrorist faction has their sites set on Ryan's immediate family. The much older Ford comfortably manipulated the role into the action hero category. Ryan prevents a terrorist attack that is attributed to the IRA. Not one to be easily defeated, the terrorist turns his sites on Ryan and his family. Philip Noyce picked up directing duties with this film. He continued the interest in the cool, cutting edge techno-gadgets. A tactical mission attack seen only through a satellite night vision shows a new kind of warfare, and a new way to watch it. PATRIOT GAMES puts a lot more on the back of Ryan, as October had Sean Connery's Ramius to carry much of the film. CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Ford returned in the drug war themed CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER which pushed the political corruption buttons of the United States government. When Ryan's mentor Admiral Greer (The wonderful James Earl Jones in a formulaic twist in character) is taken ill, Ryan reluctantly takes his job. The new responsibility causes problems in South America as the US President escalates the battle on drugs. It also causes problems at the CIA headquarters when power struggles put Ryan into serious peril. Director Philip Noyce delivers another film similar to PATRIOT GAMES. He again shows a playful game of intelligence chess, but this time the film culminates in a Rambo style rescue. Willem Dafoe is a former agent whose character keeps the audience guessing. Now, with THE SUM OF ALL FEARS we are re-introduced to Jack Ryan but that film is not available in this box set. One place where Affleck falls short is in the brief action hero moments of which Harrison Ford tackled so eloquently. The younger Affleck has a more lumbering presence and doesn't appear so agile. Now matter, all four of the Jack Ryan films are sturdy, smart entertainment and this box is a must for action film collections.
Rating: Summary: Bad price Review: This boxed set contains three of the greatest movies based on the CIA. But the boxed set lacks special features that make buying DVD's great. But a great addition to your DVD collection because you do not get the same picture and sound quality from a VHS.
Rating: Summary: A great edition to your collection Review: This boxed set contains three of the greatest movies based on the CIA. But the boxed set lacks special features that make buying DVD's great. But a great addition to your DVD collection because you do not get the same picture and sound quality from a VHS.
Rating: Summary: Great Box Set Review: This is a great box set. If you like Tom Clancy, then you will like these movies. It is also a great deal to buy them all together, much cheaper then the local store. In short, you can't go wrong.
Rating: Summary: Butiful Collection Review: This is one of the most excellent DVD collections I have ever owned.
Rating: Summary: The Hunt for Red October Review: This was the first Jack Ryan picture I had seen. From the beginning to the end of this movie, I was enthralled. It was believable, well acted and plausable. The principal actors and all lessor parts were beautifully intertwined to give us a plausable,exciting,intelligent story of intrigue done with a masterful flare. This is a DVD I have seen at least 7 times and funny as it may seem, I always find something I haven't picked up on. It's a must have and SEE for those intrigued with human nature and the powers of goodness and evil!
Rating: Summary: As good as James Bond stuff, especially it's Ford. Review: Worth watching again and again. Never a dull moment with Harrison Ford acting as Jack Ryan. Good stuff. Recommended for collection.
Rating: Summary: Bad price Review: You can by them separate for almost 20 dollars less. so just do that.
Rating: Summary: You know you want them all Review: You can look up the individual reviews. Of course some individual titles will go out of stock. Others may not be your favorite. However you will have friends and relatives that will want to compare Jack Ryan in different environments. A single case makes the movies easier to keep track of and look better on your video storage wall. Being DVDs this is a one-time investment. With the advent of multiple DVD changers you will be able to keep Jack Ryan ready at a moments notice. I tried buying individual as I had the money and found shipping was getting very expensive that way. So bite the bullet and buy the collection. ... .
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