THE PLOT THUS FAR
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” plays like what you’d expect. An edgy novel about revamping a tired spy while playing catch-up to Jack Reacher. Your dad probably loved it and forgot the hardback in the trunk of his car after a hot day. This is the kind of fodder that terribly spy fiction has produced over the last few decades. The film centers around ultra Brit Kenneth Branagh playing a Russkie that wants to destroy the US economy. Just like every other godless Communist he didn’t think it out and a proud American authority is there to stop it.
Chris Pine is at this weird point in his career. Hell, I hope that Kevin Costner took the time to tell him what not to do, as the current Kirk is looking at getting typecast very fast and very soon. It’s not “Kingdom of the Spiders” bad yet, but there’s going to be life beyond the Enterprise. That life seems to be a series of leading and then dwindling roles as the looks fade and the cockiness can only get you so far. Hell, I see closer to a real Clint Barton in this flick than I ever see Jack Ryan. Those are the breaks, I guess. Luckily, the film knows its limits and it doesn’t drain on for so long. This won’t start a franchise, but I recommend picking it up and checking out this oddity.
The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD, Digital HD copy, featurettes, commentary and deleted/extended scenes as the special features. The A/V Quality is impeccable. The 1080p transfer is crisp. But, the stunner is that DTS-HD 7.1 master audio track that is currently rattling my toes. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: 06/10/2014