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Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Movie Review

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Movie Review | by tiffanyyong.com

Recommended Audience: Fans of Tom Clancy, Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Costner, thriller movie fans

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Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Movie Synopsis

Based on the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, “Jack Ryan” is a global action thriller set in the present day. This original story follows a young Jack (Chris Pine) as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper (Kevin Costner).
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
When Ryan believes he’s uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others, while also trying to protect the thing that’s more important to him than anything, his relationship with his fiancée Cathy (Keira Knightley).

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Movie Viewer Rating: 3.5/5 ***

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Movie Review:

Chris Pine is back on the screen, but this time not as Captain Kirk (Star Trek Into Darkness) but as top-notch CIA analyst Jack Ryan. This is the fifth time that the protagonist from Tom Clancy’s novels is being brought to life on the big screen.
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Jack Ryan starts the show as a marine, but gets very badly injured. At this point, I started wondering if they will pull off some “Marvel Hero” stunt, injecting something to make Jack Ryan strong and well again. But obviously, they didn’t, and from here, you should know that I did not read any of the novels nor have I watched any of the Jack Ryan films.
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The movie progressed a little too slow for my liking, going back and forth about Jack Ryan’s relationship with Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley) when I was anticipating for some kick-ass action scenes. The trip to Russia turned the tables around, and the tension started building up ten-fold, with not just fight scenes, but other nerve-wrecking moments. I like how the appearance of Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner) CIA official who recruited Jack Ryan in various scenes acted as a tension reliever, giving the audience a humour break in the midst of the tense scenes.
JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT
Kenneth Branagh was a decent villain with a cliché back story, for most of the parts, the movie gave the audience pretty much everything we would want to see. I like Knightley’s character as she became more than a fiancée, but also a supportive one for the greater good. (Yes, I am trying not to reveal too much here!)
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All in all, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit may be a forgettable film, but (at least) one that manages to entertain you while you’re at it.

Do You Know?

Image from existentialennui.com
Image from existentialennui.com

First film in the franchise that isn’t based on a specific novel in the Jack Ryan book series.

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The original screenplay written by Adam Cozad was entitled “Dubai” and was intended to be an action film starring Eric Bana. Paramount later asked Cozad to rewrite his old script and to change the lead character to Jack Ryan.

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After having played British, German, Australian, Swedish and American characters in his career, this is the first time that Kenneth Branagh has played a Russian character. And he’s the director of this film too!

8C9251217-tdy-131002-clancy-moviesChris Pine appeared with previous Jack Ryan actor Ben Affleck in Smokin’ Aces (2006). Affleck in turn worked with predecessor Alec Baldwin in Pearl Harbor (2001), and Baldwin appeared in Working Girl (1988) with his other successor Harrison Ford. Pine and Baldwin also worked together in Rise of the Guardians (2012).

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Interviews & Behind The Scenes

Check out Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Official Website and Facebook Page!
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) will be in cinemas on 16 January 2014.

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*Disclosure:No monetary compensation was received for the movie review.

If you’ve seen the movie, do let me know what you think of the film in the comment section below. If you agree/disagree with my review,  feel free to comment and let me know!
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