Jack Ryan, Shadow Recruit

Actors:  Kenneth Branagh, Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley

Rating:  7 out of 10, Chris Pine is the fourth actor to portray Tom Clancy’s iconic hero and this movie goes back to his origin story although updating it to present day (and setting up a new franchise).  The movie is extremely well done and at least the first half is loyal to Clancy’s character.  For the second half Ryan is transformed into a combination of James Bond and Sherlock Holmes as Pine Captain Kirk’s his way to the finish line.  This is just me waxing philosophical about a new take on a cherished literary character in the cinema.  All that being said the action is literally non-stop and extremely well done.  The only miss in the cast is Keira Knightley (someone I usually like a lot) as Cathy Ryan who struggles badly maintaining her American accent.  Costner and Branagh (who also directed) are typically fabulous in important supporting roles.

MVP:  Costner continues a strong series of middle aged action dudes as Thomas Harper, Ryan’s CIA controller