Clear and Present Danger (film)

Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 American political action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. It is the third installment in the Jack Ryan film series, following The Hunt for Red October (1990) and Patriot Games (1992). Harrison Ford reprises his role as Dr. Jack Ryan, who becomes acting Deputy Director of Central Intelligence when Admiral James Greer (James Earl Jones) falls ill.

The film's plot centers around Ryan's discovery of a secret and illegal war being waged by the CIA against a Colombian drug cartel, sanctioned by the President's inner circle. This covert operation is a response to the assassination of a close friend of the President, who was also a prominent American businessman with connections to the drug trade.

Ryan uncovers a conspiracy involving high-ranking government officials who are using the CIA to eliminate the cartel leadership while simultaneously covering up their own involvement in the illegal activity. The film explores themes of government corruption, abuse of power, and the moral ambiguities of national security.

Willem Dafoe stars as John Clark, a CIA operative leading the clandestine mission in Colombia. The film features a large ensemble cast including Anne Archer, Joaquim de Almeida, Henry Czerny, Harris Yulin, and Raymond Cruz.

Clear and Present Danger was a box office success and received generally positive reviews, with praise directed at its performances, action sequences, and complex plot. However, some critics found it less engaging than its predecessors in the series. The film is considered a notable entry in the political thriller genre and remains a popular adaptation of Tom Clancy's work.