Rated PG-13 for language and violence
Starring Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Costner
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
The Story:
This is the story of how Jack Ryan (Pine) becomes an analyst for the CIA. We will meet his mentor (Costner), his wife (Knightley) and even some pesky Russian villain (Branagh). In short, this is the origin of America's James Bond.
So the question:
Is it worth it?
In a word: Yes.
While this is not The Hunt For Red October, this is clearly the best Jack Ryan we've been treated to in a generation.
Honestly, I remember very little about the Ben Affleck version of the franchise, but perhaps that is for the best?
Branagh spins a tight tale behin the camera, while portraying the bad guy in front of it. With Thor and now Jack Ryan under his belt, his days of being just a Shakespearean director are long gone.
Chris Pine steps in to the role of Jack Ryan, and does a nice job of making anyone that remembers the old movies forget Baldwin, Ford and Affleck.
Of course, this is a lot easier than stepping into the role of Kirk in Star Trek, but just like that franchise, a fresh coat of 21st century paint shows there are a lot of miles left in these franchises.
The only real problem...
Will audiences tire of seeing Chris Pine in everything?
Adding Costner as Ryan's mentor works nicely. They now have a character that could be spun into his own movies if the mood strikes, either prequels or sequels with or without Ryan as the partner.
Anyway, a good first effort, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.
Final Grade: B-
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not a bad reboot to the franchise. I'd be willing to own/watch it again.
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