Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

While Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit delivers its fair share of witty one liners, action, and suspenseful moments, it is ultimately too by-the-book, and almost everything you see in this movie has been done before. There's nothing really new on display here, and many people will get the "I've seen this all before" feeling. The acting is solid, Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley are good in supporting roles, while Chris Pine (from the 2009 and 2013 Star Trek movies) delivers a performance that was actually better than what I was expecting. There is one scene is particular, near the beginning where the actor really shines, and you can even feel his emotional investment in the scene. I won't give away any spoilers, but you will know this scene when you see it. However, the one actor that really stands out for me is Kenneth Branagh playing a Russian terrorist, who brings a cold, menacing air to the film. Branagh also directs, but it is his acting performance that stands out for me. Otherwise the film is solid but not spectacular. The action scenes are okay, but far from anything you've seen in a James Bond film or Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The plot itself moves along too quickly in some sequences, and drags on too long during others. There are also scenes where Jack Ryan jumps to conclusions with insufficient evidence, which makes the way he realizes the intent of the villain hard to believe. For a portion of the almost two hour run-time, I felt like I was watching a movie, rather than actually being involved. For example, while seeing Lone Survivor or Gravity, I felt like I was in the film, rather than sitting in a theater seat watching it on a screen. Despite my problems with the movie, I did find it enjoyable. Some of the action sequences are solid, and there are a few scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The acting is good, and the movie does have its share of twists and turns, some you see coming, some you are not expecting at all. By the end, the plot wraps up nicely, and you feel like you are seeing an entire movie, rather than just a half a movie so that they can make an indeterminate number of sequels. The final act raises the stakes like a movie should, but succumbs to the loss of a smart, witty edge that was present during the first two acts. Overall, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a solid action movie that brings nothing new to the genre, but is still able to entertain. It is not a waste of time, but is better seen at matinee pricing, rather than on a full priced night.