Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014), PG-13, 2.5 stars

Chris Pine as Jack Ryan.

Jack Ryan. If that name sounds familiar, it is because he is a fictional character from the Jack Ryan series written by the late author, Tom Clancy. His books were, and still are, popular that Paramount decided to make a series of movies with this character: The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears. I really liked Red October and Clear and Present Danger, thought Sum was ok, and Patriot Games was flawed despite convincing performances and a good score. However, I felt like that this latest installment is over-plotted with a lack of imaginative drive despite some skillful action sequences and solid performances.

In a weird flaw in the time continuum, the movie takes place after 9/11 where Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) drops out of the London School of Economics to enlist in the Marines to become a lieutenant. However, he is in a horrific helicopter crash where he is placed in rehab under the care of his future wife, Dr. Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley). He also attracts the attention of Thomas Harper (Kevin Costner), a CIA official. The CIA hires Ryan because of his skill to recognize complex patterns under the condition that he finishes completing his degree at London.

Years later, Jack is working at Wall Street as a compliance officer and as a CIA analyst looking for transactions that might pinpoint any criminal or terrorist activity. Trillions of dollars are held by Russian organizations and are out of view. The U.S. economy is vulnerable to track down the funds because they are controlled by Viktor Cheverin (Kenneth Branagh), a veteran who participated in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Chevin and some key Russian politicians are seeking revenge for what the United States has done. Ryan goes down to visit Moscow and investigate the inaccessible accounts since Ryan's employer does business with Cheverin.

Cheverin (Kenneth Branagh) is ticked and kills someone.

The suspense, adrenaline and action are basically in the second half of the movie while in the first half, it is just Jack Ryan investigating the funds and looking around for suspicious activity regarding funds. I know it's just a build-up, but it looks like the movie is finding the pieces of the puzzle of the plot. And while all the pieces are found, the plot is just overridden with problems, debt, and a skeptical affair. The affair basically came out of nowhere for me. When the plot centering Cheverin is staged, then, the movie becomes enjoyable.

Chris Pine is very convincing as the popular title character. He makes us believe when anything is about to happen and when something is beginning to make sense. Kevin Costner is quietly solid as the CIA official and I thought that this was one of his performances in a long time. Keira Knightley was a bit underwhelming at first, but when she is involved in the action, then, she redeems herself. Kenneth Branagh is wry as the Russian villain.

Branagh, also the director of this movie, is precise in the spy genre with covert operational details and suspense, especially in the second half of the movie. However, the movie does not bring new ground to the spy genre and to the Jack Ryan series that makes the reboot a successful one. It is a well-made action spy thriller with bracing style and tension. But, it is not as memorable as I thought but it is a January release. So, it is a better movie than usual in this terrible month for the movies and I commend Branagh and Pine for their efforts. It's a movie I'd watch on TNT or HBO once in a while. So, a mixed review on Shadow Recruit.

This movie was dedicated to Tom Clancy.

**1/2