Four thumbs up!
Yes, I know it’s impossible for one person to have four thumbs, at least as far as I know, but DCM and I saw this movie together and we both liked it so two people plus two thumbs each equals…you got it, four thumbs up. yes, that was a cheese-ball moment, but I’m ok with that!
That being said…as long as you realize this is a movie based on the Tom Clancey: Jack Ryan series of books then you are good! Admittedly, I have never read any Tom Clancey books, I know, according to those who I have spoken to who have read them, are great, but the cold war is not something that ever interested me in terms of something I wanted to read. Patriot Games and Clear & Present Danger are the only movies from the group that I have scene and I remember them vividly and very well, of course while we were watching this one, I had the desire to watch those two.
It was a little long, took a little to get in to, but overall, when the action got going, it was great. There was good back story on Jack Ryan, how he got where he is today, but what was frustrating was the liberty they were taking with dates and timelines. We saw 2001 in 9/11, then it was 2003, then it was…? We figured out it was today because of the Twitter,Instagram, Facebook references and then the cell phone Jack Ryan used was the new Nokia Window’s phone, so that kind of annoyed me. Also, to be honest, I’m “over the cold war stuff”. Don’t misunderstand, I know that Clancey’s books are based around the cold war, but aren’t we past that in movies today? There are so many countries out there, pick one!
When the movie was first announced, I was a little disappointed that Ben Affleck wasn’t going to be in this one, but it was going in another direction altogether, so ok, but didn’t it start around the same time, or just before the last one with Ben Affleck? Young marrieds? Then there was the role played by Kevin Costner, previously filled by James Earl Jones..hmmm…is this an alternate universe? Would that be a nod to Chris Pine and Star Trek? Kidding.
I will say that the more I see Chris Pine, the more I like him as an action star. I loved him in the Princess Diaries 2, yeah, remember him in that ladies? But as Captain James Tiberius Kirk, wow! He was great in this, played his role perfectly, a Marine to the core, putting others first and throwing himself in the line of fire. He’s smart, funny, passionate and determined. Kiera Knightly was great as his therapist/girlfriend/fiance/wife. I was impressed with her American accent, it was the first time I had heard her pull one off. She was determined, sassy, smart, funny and fiercely passionate about Jack, perfect match.
Kevin Costner was great as Jack’s handler, dry, funny, sure of himself, I almost said arrogant and what a crack shot! Reminded us of Mark Harmon as Gibbs on NCIS, you got the feeling he looked at Jack as a son and protege. Kenneth Branagh was fantastic as the incredibly wealthy playboy bad guy; ruthless, vindictive, ramrod straight. Use your imagination here…I called my dad after the movie and said, in my best Russian accent “It was all for mother Russia” [did you hear it?]
Mikhail Baryshnikov was the surprise, but who better to play the prime minister. He was in the movie for about 5 minutes total, two separate scenes, not even in the credits, but he looks great! I wonder how many people didn’t realize it was him, I even mentioned him to my dad and he said “no kidding!”
The fighting and gun-play were great, there were some great chase scenes and the espionage and setups were entertaining. All in all, a good time was had by all. If you’re looking for a good action flick and you are not a serious stickler for details, go see it!
Peaches Prattlings 