Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit: Directed by Kenneth Branagh. With Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh. Jack Ryan, as a young covert C.I.A. analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.

“Exciting and moving prequel in which a young analyst , Jack Ryan, must carry out a risked assignment in Russia , there then goes into action ; being professionally played and directed by Kenneth Brannagh with a good cast such as Chris Pine as Jack Ryan , Keira Knightley and Kevin Costner . It deals with Jack Ryan, at the beginning he joins the U.S. Marine Corps after the 9/11 attacks . He is a Marine second lieutenant when the chopper he is riding in is shot down over Afghanistan . Ryan is critically wounded and during a lengthy rehab , he attracts the attention of Dr. Cathy and falls in love for her . Later on , as a young covert CIA analyst , he uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack and then he goes to Moscu . But his girlfriend Cathy (Keira Knightley, though Felicity Jones, Evangeline Lilly, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel were considered to play her ; however , Knightley was the early front runner and she ended up being cast) shows up and Jack has to tell her the truth about his undercover operation . Jack (at one point Ryan Gosling and James Franco were consider for the character, but in the end Chris Pine got the part) along with a ranking member (Kevin Costner) attempt to destroy a terrorist faction led by a magnate (this is the first time that Kenneth Branagh has played a Russian character), Cherevin companyu0026#39;s owner , (whose logo clearly resembles one of Enronu0026#39;s drawing parallels between Enron scandal and Wall Street manipulation depicted in the movie) that threatens to induce a catastrophic conflict between the United States and Russia by detonating a bomb in New York City . u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJack Ryanu0026#39;s entry with lots of noisy action , thrills , chills , tension and amazing thriller . This blockbuster is an acceptable adaptation of the novel by Tom Clancy , companion to other prior renditions and it is first film in the franchise that isnu0026#39;t based on a specific novel in the Jack Ryan book series . Stirring outing filled with emotion , suspense , twisted intrigue and extraordinary nail-biting action scenes . This film is a prequel to the others in the Jack Ryan series . The u0026#39;Harrison Fordu0026#39; films are direct follow-ups to The hunt for Red October (1990) despite the recast of Alec Baldwinu0026#39;s role . Therefore this film might be best understood as a reboot of the Jack Ryan series . Interesting screenplay plenty of twists , turns and thrills by David Koepp . The original screenplay written by Adam Cozad was entitled u0026quot;Dubaiu0026quot; and was intended to be an action film starring Eric Bana. Paramount later asked Cozad to rewrite his old script and to change the lead character to Jack Ryan . Good production design , in fact , many scenes were filmed at the actual headquarters and adequate scenarios . The picture has a very good support cast who gives excellent performance such as Kenneth Branagh , Peter Andersson , Gemma Chan , Mikhail Baryshnikov and Colm Feore had a supporting role Sum of all fears (2002), the previous reboot of the Jack Ryan franchise starring Ben Affleck , heu0026#39;d also played a main villain in Kenneth Branaghu0026#39;s Thor . Special mention to veteran Kevin Costner , he was actually the first actor offered the role of Jack Ryan Hunt of the Red October (1990), which was the characteru0026#39;s first film appearance, but turned it down to make Dancing with wolves (1990) instead . Spectacular musical score fitting to action and suspense by Patrick Doyle . Colorful as well as atmospheric cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos , mostly filmed on location in Moscu , Russia . The picture was well directed by Kenneth Brannagh , though Jack Bender was originally attached to direct this film until he was replaced due to his commitment to work for another project . u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis blockbuster is an entertaining adaptation of the novel by Tom Clancy , companion to ¨The hunt for Red October¨ by John MacTiernan with Alec Balwin and Sean Connery , followed by ¨Patriot games¨ (1992) by Philip Noyce with Harrison Ford taking over the role of Ryan from Alec Baldwin and again ¨Clear and present danger¨(1994) by Philip Noyce with Harrison Ford and Anne Archer as his wife . Then Harrison Ford dropped out of reprising the role of Jack Ryan because he and director Phillip Noyce could not agree on the script and Noyce ended up dropping out of the film as well . Furthermore , the prequel titled The Sum of All Fears (2002) by Phil Alden Robinson with Ben Affleck , Morgan Freeman , Bruce McGill ,John Beasley , Colm Feore and Philip Baker Hall . And finally , this Jack Ryan : Shadow Recruit (2014) , Tom Clancyu0026#39;s last film as a writer before his death on October 1, 2013 .”