What's new

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Review (1 Viewer)

Yavin

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Sep 15, 2013
Messages
196
Real Name
Ben Mk
Director Kenneth Branagh, once known only for tackling projects in the realm of classic literature, seems to have been bitten by the action bug lately. Returning to the genre, after getting his feet wet on Marvel's Thor, he once again proves himself capable of helming a blockbuster action tentpole — even if he's still a little green behind the ears. Early on in the film, as Harper is watching Ryan wince his way through physiotherapy, in the wake of suffering debilitating injuries in Afghanistan, he's asked if he thinks Ryan will ever walk again and replies, "Only if he decides he has somewhere to go." Shadow Recruit does have somewhere to go, and Branagh knows how to get it there — but he speeds to its endgame at a pace that tends to diminish the impact of its events, pausing the action mostly to show just how far out of his depth Ryan is on his first mission. The quick pacing does benefit the film by handing it a constant momentum that, in turn, generates the tension necessary to sustain an action thriller; but its brevity in comparison to the far-reaching scope of the events within makes it feel like but a snippet of a larger story.
3.5 out of 5.

Here's my full review.
 

Patrick Sun

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 30, 1999
Messages
39,660
Won't lie, I grew up reading the Jack Ryan novels while in college, and enjoyed most of the films in the franchise.

While I liked the updating of Jack Ryan in today's times, I felt this film, as a re-introduction to a new film audience, moved a little too briskly, a little too by-the-numbers for my liking. So the script was the weak point for me. Kenneth Branaugh's direction (and acting) was okay, nothing special. I didn't mind Chris Pine's take on Jack, nor even Keira Knightley as Cathy, but I guess I wanted a wider cast of characters to lend a little credibility to the "origin" story. It would have been sort of cool to have a slightly younger Kevin Costner in the John Clark role for later installments in the Jack Ryan franchise, instead of Harper, the guy who keeps tabs on Jack's promise after his military career takes a detour.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
 

Tommy R

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2011
Messages
2,155
Real Name
Tommy
Saw it today, and probably my least favorite of the 5 Jack Ryan films. Not that I didn't like it, it was a nice little flick. But it by far had the least amount of OOMPH, if you know what I mean. Plus it gives into the shaky-cam crap of the last decade during the action scenes. Overall though, it really was a fun watch. Was dreading it being as horrible as last years Die Hard 5, and was pleasantly surprised. I'd give it an even B. And I feel a little bad when I think that they probably won't be making a follow-up, since I really liked the Pine-Knightly-Costner trio. With better scripts, I think they could've made a really cool franchise out of this film's foundation. Oh well, back to another 10+ years of no Jack Ryan films and never ending false starts for a Without Remorse film. :(
 

andySu

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
2,858
I've not put this on the bluray list for the reasons it just looks like waste of money sat on the shelf and would be least watched.

THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER was great in Dolby SR at the cinema when projector that. :)
 

Tino

Taken As Ballast
Premium
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 19, 1999
Messages
23,575
Location
Metro NYC
Real Name
Valentino
Dull and uninspired with Keira Knightly looking uncomfortably miscast. Only bright spot was Kenneth Brannaghs performance. I would give it ** out of ****
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,816
Messages
5,123,862
Members
144,184
Latest member
H-508
Recent bookmarks
0
Top