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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Summer 2014

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) movie review

Jack Ryan's First Assignment

A doctoral student becomes a Lieutenant in Afghanistan only to be injured. He is recruited by the CIA but cannot tell anyone. Although an analyst, an urgent situation finds him activated and in a potentially hostile Russia.

The story is a little different, but this is a prequel to The Hunt for Red October. Jack Ryan is one of the Tom Clancy franchises, so if you know Clancy's work, you know what to expect.

Ryan (Chris Pine) is the latest in the current crop of incredibly young good-looking heroes. The beauty of Ryan and his girlfriend, an eye surgeon (Keira Knightley) is offset by one-time pretty-boy Kevin Costner as Ryan's recruiter and contact.

movie poster, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Festivale film review; 220x326

Movie poster, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Trust No One

For all its chase and explosion scenes, Jack Ryan does try to be an espionage / caper film, but a relatively straightforward one. Despite the "Trust No One" tag line, this isn't an edge of the seat, cross and double-cross kind of film. It's pacy, it's watchable, but it doesn't make the screen catch fire with the excitement.

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 16 January 2014
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: Adam Cozad and David Koepp (scr)
Tom Clancy (characters)

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Running time: 105 mins
Rating: M

The Players: Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh

Official website: www.shadowrecruit.com.au
IMDb entry

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