Protagonist being an ordinary man in the wrong place at wrong time is in most cases an effective premises for a thriller. Patriot Games, 1992 film directed by Philip Noyce, isn’t an exception. It is based on the eponymous novel by Tom Clancy and represents a sequel to The Hunt for Red October. Protagonist (played by Harrison Ford, who has replaced Alec Baldwin from previous film) is Dr. Jack Ryan, professor of history at US Naval Academy and former CIA analyst. The plot begins when he gets invited to make a lecture in London, which is good opportunity to bring wife Cathy (played by Anne Archer) and young daughter Sally (played by Thora Birch) for some sightseeing. One day he accidentally witnesses IRA militants attempting to abduct Lord Holmes (played by James Fox), member of British royal family. Acting on impulse, he intervenes and, despite being wounded, he manages to thwart attack, kill one attacker and wounds another, who ends up captured. Ryan is treated as hero and receives knighthood, but he thinks nothing other than to return to USA and continue normal life. Sean Miller (played by Sean Bean), captured militant whose brother was killed, has different idea and after he gets liberated by his comrades led by Kevin O’Donnell (played by Patrick Bergin), wants to exact revenge on Ryan. IRA militants attempt to kill him, but instead only injure Cathy and Sally. Ryan is forced to rejoin his former CIA colleagues led by Admiral Greer (played by James Earl Jones) and try to use Agency’s resources and his own skills to discover where the terrorists are and how he can stop them.
Unlike The Hunt for Red October, which was (and still is) hailed as one of the best techno-thrillers of its time, Patriot Games was greeted with significantly less enthusiasm by critics. Many of the complaints were addressed on film’s controversial politics, namely pro-British stance in North Ireland conflict, and portrayal of Irish Republicans as bloodthirsty terrorists who threaten innocent women and children. The closest script by W. Peter Iliff and Donald E. Stewart came to more nuanced approach is introduction of more mainstream and moderate IRA faction represented by character of US-based fundraiser (played by Richard Harris). Unlike many other Hollywood films in 1990s, that would embrace Anglophobia, Patriot Games is still firmly entrenched in Cold War mentality and special relationship between USA and UK takes precedence over ethnic sympathies.
Australian director Philip Noyce, on the other hand, didn’t care much about politics and was putting more emphasis on strictly technical issues. Like many Clancy’s techno-thrillers, Patriot Games features many intriguing details about the work of modern US and Western militaries and intelligence services, often celebrating its technical supremacy over real and potential foes. In case of this film it could be best seen in the scene near the middle of the film when the raid on desert terrorist camp, which would have been displayed with bloodshed and pyrotechnics in other films, is presented through the satellite video feed that allows top CIA officials and protagonist to quietly watch it in real time. Effect is realistic, but chilly, especially in light of certain similar real life events, like raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound two decades later. If the rest of the film was in that style, Patriot Games would have been hailed for its realism and adherence to Clancy’s characterisation of Ryan as quiet, nerdish protagonist who prefers using brains to brawn.
On the other hand, there is plenty of action in the film and, apart from initial attack scene (which was actually inspired by real event in 1974 London), some of them might harm film’s credibility. This is especially so near finale, when Ryan, despite his nerdish nature, again turns into action hero able to defeat numerous enemies heavily armed and equipped with top high-tech equipment. Patriot Games looks even worse when audience starts asking some questions – how could terrorists could have acquire intelligence and ability to strike at their heavily guarded targets. Even worse is poor characterisation of villains – Patrick Bergin is forgettable as their leader, just as Polly Walker as terrorist femme fatale, while Sean Bean can’t do much with his one-dimensional vengeance-driven character apart from delivering another spectacular death scene that would become his career trademark. Harrison Ford, on the other hand, is more than solid as protagonist who is motivated solely with desire to protect his family, played well by Anne Archer and young Thora Birch. Patriot Games also features great actors in supporting roles. Noyce, despite seemingly slow middle sections, keeps good pace and leaves Patriot Games with under two hours of running times. James Horner as composer also does solid job, although some would complain about main theme being too similar to certain sections of his work on Aliens. Despite criticisms, Patriot Games is more than solid film and its commercial success was well-justified. Two years later Noyce and Ford reunited for another sequel under title Clear and Present Danger.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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