Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/17/14

Reviewed 1/17/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This continues the Tom Clancy franchise that has starred three different actors - Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck. Now we have Chris Pine and it's hard not to adore him. He makes an impressive young Jack Ryan. Gary and I both enjoyed this movie and Gary said this is exactly the type of movie he likes. Kevin Costner is adequate playing the low key role of William Harper, the CIA boss who recruits clever Ryan from a destined mundane desk job to something a little more enticing.

Jack Ryan enlists in the Marines after 9/11 and his helicopter is shot down on a routine mission. He has a long recovery which gives him some physical limitations, but he is receiving good care getting nursed back to health by soon-to-be doctor Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley). Enter Naval Commander William Harper who doubles as a CIA recruiter. He has his eye on Ryan, who is still recuperating at Walter Reed military hospital. Harper is convincing and finally gets Ryan to agree to enter the CIA. It's just a desk job after all, right? Ryan's cover is at a big Wall Street firm fronting as a financial analyst, but his real job is to keep an eye out for money laundering by terrorists. Jumping ahead a few years, he is now engaged and living with Cathy but she does not know of Jack's real occupation. When he discovers some irregularities, he is ordered to go to the source in Russia to uncover secrets.  He goes from desk job to an active field agent in one swoop. It gets thrilling right away for Ryan in his first crack at a field operative whether he likes it or not. Although there's not much creativity in the plot as the story jumps right into it in Russia. With all the usual chases and covert operations this is no Bourne Identity, but it captures the excitement. Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit is an entertaining flick that gives us much anticipation of Chris Pine as the future Jack Ryan - for at least a few more films.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ