Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
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A handsome, new leading man dons the Jack Ryan persona in the latest adaptation of the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy. Chris Pine tackles geopolitics and terror threats in “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.”
Ryan is a young financial analyst who joins the CIA under the guidance of Harper (Kevin Costner) after a near-fatal accident in Afghanistan. However, Ryan is forced to transition into an international spy when he uncovers a Russian terrorist plot that seeks to throw the United States into the Second Great Depression.
His biggest foe is Viktor Cherevin, played by the film’s director Kenneth Branagh, who is charmingly effective as the strong-but-silent type with a dangerous edge.
Pine, the ideal debonair leading man, shines as the young mastermind. Being the fourth actor to play Jack Ryan, Pine’s task of making an impression on viewers is crucial. However, this actor has a knack for successfully taking over classic characters, and he takes over Ryan with ease.
Keira Knightley plays Ryan’s love, Cathy, but it’s tough to feel the love between the two due to a complete lack of chemistry.
They just didn’t have enough time onscreen together to build up their love story; he was too busy saving the world.
Costner easily plays the mentor and always stays calm, cool and collected.
The film is an intense and intellectually quick-paced adventure that plays it safe in terms of action-packed thrillers.
With such a seasoned cast, the film is never excessive and all the major players work well together. But with that being said, the cast is capable of so much more; however, the script doesn’t allow them to push any boundaries.
There is potential in this reinvented franchise. Since “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is an origin story, this somewhat insipid film was necessary to get to the next level.
With the backstory all fleshed out, the next film could go all-in for an epic, international political thriller.
— Avery Thompson
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