Clear and Present Danger

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +3 1/2

Content: -2 1/2

The gloves come off in the war on drugs when a Colombian drug lord brutally slaughters a not-so-innocent businessman and his family. Under the President's orders, a CIA chieftain hires mercenary Mr. Clark (William Dafoe) to lead a team of soldiers on a covert mission to cripple drug operations in Columbia. Their methods are just as bloody and violent as their criminal counterparts'. Cars, planes, houses, and bodies are torn apart as each side tries to outdo the other. As acting deputy director of Intelligence at the CIA, Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford), uncovers the illegal scheme. His efforts to stop the carnage and to rescue stranded soldiers result in an order to have him killed. Ford and DaFoe head up the list of superb performances by a wonderful cast. Fast-paced and action-packed, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The film will also have discerning moviegoers crying "Foul!" at its excessive violence. The body count mars its intriguing plot as well as its honorable goal to stem the drug flow into America and its frequent humor. One scene of missile-toting Colombians ambushing American delegates could have been exciting entertainment. However, burning bodies tumbling out of wrecked cars, men falling like flies under machine-gun onslaughts and the human shield brandished by our fleeing hero epitomize the filmmakers' obvious penchant for violence. Even though viewers are spared from nudity and graphic sexual conduct, one scene shows a man touching a woman's breast through her sweater. Also, crude and obscene words punctuate the action at regular intervals. Jack Ryan's staunch adherence to virtuous principles nearly saves the picture; but not quite. While not as graphic as most horror flicks, nor as pointless, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER's bloodshed and language make it clearly dangerous for discriminating moviegoers.

Preview Reviewer: Bob Liparulo
Distributor: Paramount Communications Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, NY, NY 10023-7780

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Many (23) times - Mild 15, Moderate 8

Obscene Language: Several (9) times - (f-word 1, s-word 8, obscene gesture once)

Profanity: Several (8) times - Regular 7 (J, G, G-d), Exclamatory 1

Violence: Many times - Moderate and severe (bloody sheets and killings described on TV; plane and drug laboratory explodes; lengthy shoot-outs with many deaths, some bloody; woman's neck broken by boyfriend; policeman shot; motorcycle and car crashes; fiery missiles shot into cars; corpse used as shield; house explodes- killing men, women and children; several fist fights; baseball bat hit into stomach; man pistol-whipped; man crushed under falling firewood; machine-gun, sniper and other shootings; several bloody ambushes)

Sex: None

Nudity: None

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Few times (suggested hotel rendezvous; man fondles woman's breasts through sweater)

Drugs: Few times (cocaine bagged in make-shift laboratories; drunk man in bar)

Other: High-level politicians (including president) are corrupt and exposed by man who puts values before career

Running Time:
Intended Audience: Teenagers and adults

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