I'M PRETTY SURE JASON BOURNE COULD KICK YOUR ASS
There's a comfort to the political thriller genre. It never really seems to change itself up, mostly because people never really complain about it that much. That's nice and all, but that stagnant approach also means that the attempt at trying something new is like North Korea sending us a anniversary card on the 4th of July: It's just not going to happen. Ever since Jason Bourne started punching the edge of books into peoples throats on screen, there's been less of a desire for story and more a desire for a full on silver screen assault. Surprisingly, that's where Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit sets itself apart from this new trend.
The story is rather simple: Russia hates us (What's new?) and they want to poke us in the eye financially for what they see as signs of us starting an 'economic war'. In comes Jack Ryan, the always strong jawed, handsome title character who's just the man for whatever job the Russians are about to create for him. Screenwriters David Koepp and Adam Cozad try to play clever once in a while, instituting familiar trappings within the genre with a few 'twists', but the overall arc of the story feels flat, sometimes forced. I get it, the Russians have been our enemies since Stalin said 'I went shopping the other day. I got these iron curtains. Let's put them across Germany and divide it. That shouldn't cause any problems, should it?'. But that's the problem, the familiarity with the enemy doesn't give us anything new to work with. Even Kenneth Branagh, who directs the film as well, isn't given anything to do with his villainous role. He drinks, he's a womanizer, all common traits we've seen in not other Russian villains, but villains themselves in other movies. They try to give him a few things to expand upon, but they're never fully explained.
What makes Shadow Recruit work is the fact that Jack Ryan (now played by the always charming Chris Pine) is no more an action hero than you or I. Yes, yes, he does have a Marine background, but the fact that his tour in Afghanistan is cut short due to an ambush speaks volumes about his mental readiness to not only get back into the field, but his ability to do so physically. It's where the films main strength lies - in our ability to relate to him. Pine serves well as Ryan, who comes across as somewhat reserved but always well intended in anything he does. It's not a role with a super layered nuance to it, but it's one Pine was meant to play, and one wonders, if they didn't get him, how the film would have fared in general without him. The few action scenes he is involved with aren't given a heroic vibe. He's a man in a fight for his life, and Pine displays this perfectly. His wife/girlfriend/fiance/whateverthehellyouwannacallher, played by Keira Knightley, is about as cardboard a character as one could have been given. Knightley must have been aware of this, because she gives, hands down, the worst performance of her career. Her character is unaware of Ryans CIA status, so she begins to assume he's having an affair due to his continued absence. Fair, right? I mean, most people would have questions for their loved ones if such an situation took place. But the annoyance to which the character is played takes so much away from what the film as it chugs along. It's not so much Knightleys fault as it is the screenwriters fault, but you have to wonder if she couldn't have pulled an acting rabbit out of an acting hat and done something more to help her case.
Rounding out the film is Kevin Costner, who seems to be trying to take over Liam Neesons new status as the 'Old man who can still kick your ass' in movies. He's Ryans superior, and, quite to my astonishment, gives a better performance than I thought possible. Long gone are the days of him showing his ass on screen (Robin Hood, Water World, Dances With Wolves....get my point?), and it's nice to see him in a supporting role and not so much of a starring one. He also tries to give the film what little comic relief it can while not beating you over the head with it. It's not a comedy afterall.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a serviceable way to drown out a few hours, but don't expect to be blown away by something fresh and original. It never overstays its welcome, which is nice, but the mediocre story and lack of character depth really drags down what could have been a relatively solid addition to the Tom Clancy film cannon. Sure, I miss the Harrison Ford days, but you need new blood, and Chris Pine sold me enough to believe that there may be better days ahead for the franchise. Just don't expect it to start with this.
- Shane
GRADE: C+
