Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Movie Review	 July 22, 2014 digitalkiss
"Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack."-imdb.com
The plot for this installment of the Jack Ryan character developed by Tom Clancy stems from the terrorist attack of 9/11. Jack Ryan, played by Chris Pine, who is best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, feels compelled to enter the war in Afghanistan and become a Marine, leaving his life of studying at the London School of Economics behind to fight for his country.
But after being injured on the front lines, Jack must overcome the effects of his injury. While doing so in a Medical Recovery Center, CIA official Thomas Harper, played by award winning actor Kevin Costner, recruits Jack to be a covert CIA analyst.
Ten years later, Jack works on Wall Street as a cover job. Unbeknownst to his colleagues and loved ones, Jack's real job is to detect any financial transactions that would indicate terrorist activity. Jack is soon thrown into the midst of a terrorist plot after he discovers suspicious funds from Russian accounts, taking Jack away from his desk job and sending his entire life into a spiral of high pressure situations as he works with Harper in dissolving the terrorist plot. Kenneth Brannagh, who also directs, co-stars as merciless Russian tycoon Viktor Cherevin. Keira Knightley co-stars.
When Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit first came to theaters, I was incredibly excited to see it. Unfortunately, I had to wait until now to watch it. With such an action packed trailer and an award winning cast, I had high hopes. While I would never consider Jack Ryan to be a bad movie, it wasn't my favorite. The plot was good, but I found it underdeveloped. It was a creative film that didn't reach it's potential, which I think is sad because of the great actors playing the leads, like Pine, Costner, and Brannagh. Knightley's American accent threw me for a loop and I didn't think she suited the character well. Part of me, though, would see it again, only I think it's because I still have high hopes, which were dashed. For a movie with such a good plot, I was disappointed that they didn't do more with it.
Jack Ryan had a lot of untapped potential. While it didn't feel like a waste of time to watch, I would only halfheartedly recommend this movie.
digitalkiss
I'm Jenna, a through and through Jersey girl fresh out of high school, ready to see the world. Writing, music, and my close friends and family are my life. I plan to go to Cosmetology school and become skilled in the profession, which is another passion of mine. When I'm not expertly procrastinating on Youtube, I'm writing a book, taking care of my goldendoodle puppy, and trying hard to appreciate the little things.