Review of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) by Brent T — 21 Jun 2014

Tolerable popcorn flick which I just saw for the first time -- at home on Bluray. Issues: First, as noted in one of the extras, Chris Pine is the (extremely well cast) face of James T Kirk in another franchise.

It is a huge mistake to cast him here. He isn't Jack Ryan. Second, what is the fascination with Keira Knightly? She is hideously thin, moderately pretty in the face and can't fill an A cup -- and can't act.

Realize Bridgette Mohahan was tied up with Blue Bloods -- but really? Huge distraction in this film. On a positive note, third, the script is tight and Ryan is portrayed as an ordinary guy. And this wasn't the implausible farce that Sum of All Fears was.

And yeah, Pine is much more watchable than Affleck in this role. And fourth Branagh can both act and direct the heck out of a film.