Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Now that the Oscar nomination season is behind us we can enjoy films with mindless violence and gratuitous sex. Regrettably this was not one of those films. There was more action than mindless violence with the exception of the opening scene which gave false hope of mayhem. The only sexy thing in the movie was Kiara Knightly. She is very attractive, but a pole dancer she ain’t.

The plot is somewhat complex, but thankfully there are enough bullets and explosions that your grasp of high finance does not strain your brain. The arch Russian enemy is played by Kenneth Branagh (he also directed). He typically plays a sophisticated Englishman with a public school accent. He tries hard to look menacing but with his pudgy London tanned face, he is not convincing.

Chris Pine (Star Trek/Captain Kirk) is the prequel Jack Ryan. He sports his signature cockiness. As with the other Jack Ryans (Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck) he uses his analytic prowess to source out clues. The ladies will not be disappointed.

Kevin Costner is reviving his movie career. He is the CIA handler who recruits Jack Ryan.  Costner always plays his roles with his trade mark cool confidence and this works well for him here.  In this film he supplements his confidence with a sniper rifle and deadly aim. There is a sort father son relationship between Costner and Pine, but Costner early recognizes Ryan’s analytical skills.

Kiara Knightly is Ryan’s fiancé. Not to give away any spoiler details she gets into the mix because of plot necessity. She plays the strong wily female with a dash of moxie. She does a good job but this role was a cake walk for her.

The plot involves high finance so you have to pay attention in the beginning. Mercifully the rest of the movie racks up body counts and there is some impressive pyrotechnics. The movie has a pacing problem, between finding clues and action. The film is more of like a caffeine buzz rather than an adrenaline rush. The two main locations are Moscow and Manhattan (it is fun seeing some of the old buildings). This is a nice winter movie, but if it is too cold stay home and wait for Netflix in the mail.