Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

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UK Release Date: January 24th 2014

Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

Director: Kenneth Branagh (Thor)

Starring: Chris Pine Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh 

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit isn't the first attempt at adapting a Tom Clancy novel, but the fifth, and Chris Pine makes the fourth actor. Has really been worth it after so many? Yes and no. 

Kenneth Branagh starts from scratch and starts strong. Jack Ryan (Pine) is a broken man, on the mend physically and mentally from his time as a marine. Ten years later, Jack is analyst for the CIA, has been married to his ex-physiotherapist (Knightley) for sometime and is doing pretty well in life, until a planned attack on Wall Street by a Russian diplomat puts him on the field in short notice. 

The problem is, there's nothing unique. Shadow Recruit contains many similarities to 007; a villain with an exaggerated persona (Branagh himself), a damsel in distress that the lead has affections for and an uncanny ability to save the day with ease. What's missing most of all is any real sense of danger. Branagh's Viktor Cherevin is a stone's throw away from full-blown corniness, especially when the only threatening moment he has involves a light bulb. Having his lips permanently glued together must be the only way he can pull off a Russian accent. Keira Knightley's accent is no better. 

Chris Pine has broad shoulders taking on Jack Ryan. You can see the passion he evokes in the character, washing everyone away with his seriousness, and the fact that it's hard to take anyone else seriously. There's still room for more Jack Ryan. Shadow Recruit is but a stepping stone for more to come. Pine holds the potential in a series of (hopefully) successful films.