I was somewhat looking forward to the Clancy reboot, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit starring Chris Pine, Keira Knightley and Kevin Costner. Something happened between the decent looking preview and the film. That something? The script? The director? Not really sure… it just didn’t work.
The setup of the story was decent, but it was written like it came off the head from a junior high kid… just too simple. I take that back – that isn’t right… it was stupid.
Kenneth Branagh pulled double duty as the villain and director, and I am still not sure which was worse. Don’t get me wrong, I like Branagh a lot and maybe the script was just too lame for him to create directorial magic… it just didn’t work.
Keira Knightley appears to have phoned in her role as she appeared to be reading her lines, not acting them. Is that just bad writing? Is that a director not being able to pull out her best? Or was she exposed as just another pretty girl who doesn’t really have the chops to make you believe anything other than the first role you see her in? It just didn’t work.
Pine and Costner were completely believable in their roles, but the logic of the story left them hanging out to dry at times. It just didn’t work. The worst part? There wasn’t even any great special effects or action to watch while suffering through the weak parts… it just didn’t work.
I would love to see the franchise continue with some good writing and direction… I expect that will happen and make use all forget that this one… just didn’t work.
RATING 5 out of 10 
Chris Doelle
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