Released in 1992 Patriot Games would be the second time Tom Clancy’s character Jack Ryan would be on the silver screen. This is the first time that Harrison Ford would play the role of Jack Ryan and he does a fantastic job. I already reviewed the sequel to this, Clear and Present Danger, and I have always liked that movie, but I do think that Patriot Games is better and after watching this again recently, I still think that.
How to Download Patriot Games
Patriot Games was released on June 5, 1992. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
This is actually a sequel to The Hunt for Red October (where Alec Baldwin played Jack Ryan). They managed to get James Earl Jones back here for his role as Admiral James Greer. We have an awesome cast in this movie with Sean Bean playing one of the villains, Sean Miller.
The Plot of Patriot Games
Jack Ryan now lives in London, no longer working for the CIA, Jack Ryan is now a teacher of history, but old habits die hard! Outside of Buckingham Palace, Jack Ryan sees an attempted kidnapping of Lord William Holmes, cousin of the Queen and Minister of Northern Ireland. Jack is able to stop the kidnapping, killing two of the kidnappers and subduing the other, the other being Sean Miller.
Sean Miller is not just a typical thug! Turns out that Sean Miller is part of an extreme offshoot of the IRA led by a man called Kevin O’Donnell. These guys were so extreme that they were seen as being too much for the IRA! That right there tells you how bad news this group is.
Sean Miller’s Revenge
Sean is taken into custody and he is going to be taken to jail. Sean is mad not because he got caught, but because one of the men that Jack Ryan shot was his younger brother and he vows revenge on Jack Ryan. Of course, Sean is busted out before he even spends a night in jail and when he and O’Donnell are on the run, O’Donnell gives Sean permission to go and get revenge on Jack Ryan.
This freaks Jack out as to be expected and he rejoins the CIA as Jack now needs to try and keep his family safe and put a stop to Sean Miller once and for all. Oh, no spoilers, but there is some really bad stuff going on with O’Donnell and the plans that he has too.
An Intense Thriller with Amazing Performances
This is a very slick and fast moving thriller movie that never gets too complicated for its own good. You always feel like you know what is happening.
Sean Bean is just fantastic in this movie! Sean Miller is a fantastic villain and you truly do wonder how many people close to Jack Ryan he is going to kill before he gets to him! O’Donnell is an incredible mastermind and while I have raved about Sean Bean, Patrick Bergin truly makes you believe he means everything that he says!
Perfect Pacing and Direction
The movie comes in at just under two hours and I honestly think that the director/editor nailed this one as the pacing is awesome, no scene ever feels like it lasts too long and everything that happens feels like it matters. I always liked this movie, but in watching it again for the first time in a long time, I found that it was even better than I remembered it being!
Final Thoughts on Patriot Games
Patriot Games is a top-tier political thriller that delivers tense action, gripping performances, and a compelling revenge-driven plot. Harrison Ford shines as Jack Ryan, and Sean Bean delivers one of his best villain performances. If you love spy thrillers, action-packed plots, and Clancy adaptations, this is a must-watch!
