Watch Clear and Present Danger
- PG-13
- 1994
- 2 hr 21 min
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6.9 (110,023)
Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 action thriller movie directed by Phillip Noyce and based on the novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. The movie stars Harrison Ford as John Clark, a CIA operative who becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving the Colombian drug cartels and a corrupt government agency. Willem Dafoe plays John's ally and friend, Colonel Sam Bowden, while Anne Archer portrays John's wife, Cathy.
The movie begins with a covert operation in Colombia by the CIA to help the Colombian government fight against drug traffickers. However, when a key informant is killed, the operation goes wrong, and the U.S. President is advised to shut it down. However, CIA Director James Cutter (played by Harris Yulin) secretly orders a continuation of the operation, which involves the use of Special Forces troops, led by Colonel Sam Bowden, to attack the cartel's operations.
As John's team gathers intelligence on the cartel's activities, they uncover a conspiracy involving Cutter and his Deputy Director Robert Ritter (played by Henry Czerny), who have been secretly funding the cartel in order to protect the interests of an American corporation that is using its resources to smuggle drugs. When John becomes aware of the conspiracy, he is faced with a dilemma - to continue the operation and expose the corrupt officials or to abandon it to save American lives.
The tension builds as John and Sam attempt to outmaneuver the corrupt officials while keeping their own team safe. They must navigate treacherous terrain as they attempt to gather more evidence to expose the conspiracy, all while avoiding being killed by the cartel or the corrupt officials. As the danger mounts, John learns that he cannot trust anyone, not even those who are supposed to be his allies.
The pace of the movie is fast, with many action-packed scenes that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. There are shootouts, car chases, and explosions that add to the excitement. The movie also has a political and moral dimension that adds complexity to the story. The viewer is forced to consider questions about American foreign policy, the use of force, and the morality of manipulating drug cartels for political and economic gain.
The acting in the movie is superb, with Harrison Ford and Willem Dafoe delivering powerful performances. Ford successfully conveys the complexity of John's character, his loyalty to his team, and his struggle to do what is right. Dafoe is also convincing as the seasoned and resourceful Colonel Sam Bowden, who is willing to risk his life to protect his men.
The themes in the movie are relevant today, with issues surrounding drug trafficking, government corruption, and the use of military force still prominent in many parts of the world. The plot is intricate and engaging, with many twists and turns that keep the viewer guessing until the end.
In conclusion, Clear and Present Danger is a thrilling and thought-provoking movie that will appeal to fans of action, political thrillers, and suspense. The plot is complex, the acting is superb, and the movie has timely themes that are still relevant today. Overall, it is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys high-quality movies that push the boundaries of what is possible in the action genre.
Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 74.