When the president of Russia suddenly dies, a man whose politics are virtually unknown succeeds him. The change in political leaders sparks paranoia among American CIA officials, so CIA director Bill Cabot recruits a young analyst to supply insight and advice on the situation. Then the unthinkable happens: a nuclear bomb explodes in a U.S. city, and America is quick to blame the Russians.
The Sum of All Fears is almost impossible to follow -- and there's something cringe-inducing about seeing an American football stadium nuked as pop entertainment.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
3 Jun 2002
rotten:
A trite espionage thriller without the thrills but with a lingering measure of nausea.
– Michael Atkinson,
Village Voice,
4 Jun 2002
rotten:
Affleck merely creates an outline for a role he still needs to grow into, a role that Ford effortlessly filled with authority.
– Peter Travers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jun 2002
rotten:
I'm not saying Affleck is in way over his head, but a scuba tank and swim fins might come in handy.
– Bill Muller,
Arizona Republic,
13 Jun 2002
rotten:
An implausible apocalypse without depth or resonance, a cartoon of international politics presented with no James Bond-like playfulness and with all the superficial realism money can buy.