I often wonder what Netflix’s recommendations say about my taste. The other day, when the weather turned cold and gloomy, I was browsing for something to watch and the algorithm suggested Clear and Present Danger. With a fire going and wanting to just relax, the 1994 Harrison Ford movie—based on a Tom Clancy book—seemed perfect. And it actually was, more so than I expected.
A Lot Is Going On Here
I really enjoyed Clear and Present Danger when it first came out in the mid-1990s. I was already a fan of Tom Clancy’s book and the previous Jack Ryan films, so I went to see it in theaters opening weekend. I watched it a lot on cable TV over the next couple of years, but I haven’t seen it since around 1997. It’s been about 30 years, and a lot has changed – both my own preferences and the way movies are made.
I was pleased to revisit Clear and Present Danger and found it still delivers as a strong action film with memorable characters. It also offers a relevant commentary on the War on Drugs, a topic that was already facing criticism by the mid-1990s due to its cost and questionable legal basis. Considering the many different Jack Ryan films and actors who have played the role, this one stands out as one of the best.
What I Really Love Is The Cast
A strong cast is often what makes a movie last, and Clear and Present Danger definitely delivers in that area. Harrison Ford is fantastic as Jack Ryan, continuing the character he first played in Patriot Games. Willem Dafoe is perfectly cast as the tough CIA operative John Clark, a key figure in the Jack Ryan stories. And Henry Czerny is brilliant at playing slimy, bureaucratic characters – he’s particularly good (and frustrating!) in this film, especially considering his role in the Mission: Impossible movies.
It’s bittersweet seeing James Earl Jones as Admiral Greer for what would sadly be the last time. He doesn’t have as much screen time as in The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, but every scene he’s in is just so touching – and surprisingly funny! It really made me appreciate what a phenomenal actor he was. Joaquim de Almeida is fantastic as Félix Cortez, the ambitious bad guy. He’s played similar roles as a drug trafficker before, and honestly, he nails it, so I get why he keeps getting cast that way. Miguel Sandoval is equally great as Ernesto Escobedo, the drug kingpin – it’s pretty clear they based the character on Pablo Escobar, but Sandoval makes it his own.
Honestly, the show isn’t just about the main stars – the supporting cast is incredible! You’ve got these fantastic character actors like Clarke Gregg, Reg E. Cathy, Benjamin Bratt, Donald Moffat, and Rex Linn, all bringing their A-game. And Anne Archer? She’s absolutely brilliant as Cathy Ryan – some of her best work, I think. It’s just packed with talent from top to bottom.
It’s unclear when the next Ryanverse movie will be released, but I’ll definitely be in the audience when it is – just like I was thirty years ago for Clear and Present Danger.
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2025-11-12 01:08