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Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

2014
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 45m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 31.29% from 1031 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1031)
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Rated 11 May 2014
62
29th
What's more thrilling than potential nuclear annihilation, more terrifying than drug lords poisoning our children and more tense than a terrorist home invasion? I'll tell ya...GLOBAL ECONOMIC INSTABILITY! Dear God, no!!!!
Rated 30 May 2014
55
32nd
Remember that scene from Black Dynamite where the cast does the most ridiculous 'follow the clues' skit imaginable? Well, Jack Ryan does a similar thing, but played absolutely straight. The rest of the movie.. Eh. It kills time I suppose. And since there's so many characters left for this mini review I just want to point out that Criticker user luthar15 scares me.
Rated 29 Aug 2014
50
29th
Since late 2009 or so I've made a point of writing a mini-review to go with every single Criticker rating. I have, however, absolutely nothing to say about 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit'. Sorry.
Rated 04 Nov 2014
6
55th
They really stretch the plot to the point of absurd but yet I still enjoyed this. 34 year old Chris Pine and his massive eyebrows are studying at Oxford when the towers come down and decides to join the army. Then 34 year old Chris Pine and his massive eyebrows get recruited by the CIA and the focus shifts to Russians for no reason even tho Chris Pine's eyebrows hate Iraqis (obvious). Then he gang rapes some Russians and the American flag rises and Kevin Costner trims his eyebrows. Good movie!
Rated 17 Jan 2014
50
47th
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is not a terrible or even bad movie. It's just mostly dull and forgettable. It's the type of film you can't get worked up about at all, because that type of investment isn't possible. It's empty entertainment and nothing more. One sequence of suspense, a few laughs -- both intentional and unintentional -- a bland lead, great supporting work and attention to detail from Branagh, and a title that doesn't really make sense, but sounds kind of cool.
Rated 30 May 2014
0
11th
Rated 17 May 2014
4
22nd
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an incredibly bland action film by today's standards. It's watchable and in places enjoyable, but it's generic, bland and forgettable also. I like the early Jack Ryan films but I've never really cared for the character to be re-introduced. Chris Pine does enough to carry the film but Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley & Kenneth Branagh are all forgettable. There is a handful of enjoyable set pieces but otherwise I've already forgotten about this unnecessary reboot.
Rated 22 Jan 2014
60
25th
Here's the deal with me -- I like Chris Pine, I like Kenneth Branagh, and I have nothing against Kevin Costner except for, well, "Waterworld". I'm not the world's biggest Keira Knightley fan, but all in all, I like a lot of this movie's PARTS. It's the SUM of those parts that doesn't really work for me. I found this... tedious. I couldn't buy into the relationship between Jack and Cathy (who sports a laughable, Lois Lane style reaction to Jack being covert CIA). Inoffensive, but nothing special.
Rated 15 Feb 2014
75
65th
Rock solid, no-bullshit spy thriller. A refreshing and uncommon thing, with the likes of Bourne and M:I usually one-upping each other in needlessly convoluted plots with each successive film. The core of the story is pretty silly, but I don't care. The execution is tight enough, and the villains Russian enough. It was an exciting, well-directed, well shot and well-acted piece of work. Didn't overstay it's welcome, and didn't treat me like an idiot. Really enjoyed myself. Branagh is a boss.
Rated 26 Jan 2014
66
73rd
Decent action film although I did feel they rushed through a lot of the beginning sequences! Would have been good to see more of a back story before Ryan hits Russia. Some very good action moments and was entertained throughout...wouldnt mind seeing a sequal!
Rated 23 Feb 2014
38
23rd
The movie is all bones and no meat. It's unthrilling despite always being busy and really dull despite constant motion.
Rated 14 May 2014
40
33rd
Lousy cast and weak story make this the worst in the Jack Ryan series. Chris Pine is a terrible choice for the lead role, and Keira Knightley is just as bad as the love interest. Kevin Costner phones it in, while the production value lacks any sense of scale or intensity. What should have been a great spy thriller turns out to be mediocre at best.
Rated 27 Jul 2014
4
43rd
Well, I do have a soft spot for just about anything in the secret agent genre, so I kind of enjoyed bits of this mostly kinda generic spy thriller. But James Bond and 24 are better.
Rated 13 Jan 2015
60
30th
The girlfriend is incredibly annoying for the first half, and the whole thing is a bit limp overall. An okay thriller but nothing mind blowing
Rated 09 May 2014
10
2nd
Come on, how insulting can this be. This is absolutely moronic on every level, story wise, plot development, choices made by the characters, and use of technology. This is just plain stupid. When even the editor realized it doesn't make sense it jumps to a different scene. Mind boggling stupid. Stay clear.
Rated 27 Sep 2014
50
28th
5 - alright
Rated 22 Jan 2014
75
37th
It's entertaining to say the least. Typical in all aspects. Characterization could have used more strength and a more solid foundation for a start of a potential franchise. It simply isn't long enough to say it was boring, and it wasn't great enough to call it something special. It was average in almost every way. No stand out in the acting front, the story was laid out nice and neatly with no fancy plot twists last minute to add suspense. It was merely there, take it or leave it.
Rated 09 Feb 2014
50
16th
Has no aspirations whatsoever
Rated 26 Jan 2014
60
29th
It's decent. No more or less. Very watchable, I'll go to the sequel.
Rated 17 Jun 2015
64
22nd
Not horrible, but not very good either. Just kind of how you thought it was going to be.
Rated 04 Feb 2014
65
38th
I was surprised that I enjoyed it this much. This really is your January type of movie; action thriller with a decent plot but nothing new. The acting is not bad, the story was sort of interesting but nothing too engrossing. It never really humanizes or makes the characters vulnerable at any moment like Bourne or Casino Royale has done recently. IT runs through this movie and you enjoy it, but won`t remember it. Quick notes; why do suicide bombers still use timers, and where are Branagh`s teeth.
Rated 11 May 2014
60
31st
Not a bad film just nothing really special. Worth a look just the same.
Rated 15 Apr 2015
55
35th
As a thriller and spy movie, it doesn't fail but it isn't an inherently good movie to begin with. I do very much like Pine and Costner but these were neither of their best performances. The villain was bland and his intentions and motivation were bland as well. Also Kiera Knightley was not a good love interest for this movie. Not a huge fan of this.
Rated 01 Jun 2018
60
18th
59.00+.73 = 59.73.
Rated 12 Sep 2015
61
28th
This series can end now.
Rated 18 Jan 2014
60
28th
Second half is pretty cheesy.
Rated 19 Jan 2014
55
24th
Although formulaic, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a pretty decent action thriller doused in a laughable "America good, Russia bad" message, of which I hope it was intentionally hilarious. Oh, and I hope Branagh's Russian accent was intentionally hilarious as well, because it was even worse than Steve Carell's in Despicable Me.
Rated 12 May 2014
65
29th
It's pretty good. I think it's about what I expected, not what I hoped -- a fun, reasonably thrilling thriller, nothing overly memorable but something I'd watch a sequel of to pass some easy time. At times it feels more like the first Mission: Impossible than the MIs afterward, which is nice, because it adds some mystery and suspense, and doesn't rely on action all the time.
Rated 18 Jan 2014
87
67th
This movie definetly surprised me.I really didn't think it would be that good.It was Thrilling, funny at times, and interesting.I liked it
Rated 17 May 2014
60
38th
Enjoyable when watching it but I don't expect to remember much of it next week.
Rated 12 Jun 2014
68
26th
Chris Pine seems to be afraid of his own shadow in this spy film. He plays the part of Jack Ryan, a name many might recognize from other Tom Clancy stories. This seems to be the origin story of Dr. Ryan. He's new to the spy game and isn't a seasoned and hardened killer yet. It was neat to see a new type of threat against the USA, an economic threat of crashing the dollar, but this movie was kind of hard to get into...
Rated 22 Aug 2014
46
29th
I thought I would rank this movie lower, but somehow I thought it wasn't that bad! The storyline keeps going and doesn't seem to move too slow, and the acting is alright, even from Pine. It's not good, but acceptable. 46/100.
Rated 20 Jun 2014
100
93rd
Surprisingly good action film. Kept me on the edge of my seat, but you know the good guys win in the end but it's fun watching all the ways they do it. RA RA RA. On a side note Costner is really good in these secondary roles.
Rated 17 May 2014
25
19th
A typical 'Chris Pain of action-films'; no personality - just a bland bore somewhat helped out by setting and support. *Preview*: #14#, popcorn, story, (writer Koepp), (Keira.K/7B4)
Rated 10 Oct 2020
77
49th
Good enough cast but the plot went off the rails a bit. I thought the Jack Ryan series used to be a more realist take on spy shenanigans, but this one literally has Chris Pine running around Moscow like Ethan Hunt, two steps away from zip-lining onto a moving jet plane in only his underpants.
Rated 28 Mar 2015
60
10th
Alright, for one time, eh?
Rated 28 Jan 2014
40
19th
LAME
Rated 04 Sep 2014
65
75th
All in all, this isn't breaking any ground in the spy-thriller genre. The writing could've been better, but the cast and Branagh's edge of your seat direction, more often than not, elevate the sometimes simplistic, by the books material. It doesn't scream "Rush out and see me now!", but I've already seen much, much, much worse this month and for what it was, I had a fun time. Review source: silverscreenfanatic.com
Rated 13 Jun 2014
71
66th
Crisp, snappy, and highly watchable. Branagh and the writers successfully trim any fat, eschew any clunkiness, and shape this into probably the best-paced Jack Ryan picture yet. Hell, I'd even argue that this is less cumbersome (and has better-directed, more coherent action) than the majority of Bourne flicks. It's disposable, as these flicks always are, but I dug it and would be fine with further Ryan adventures if they stuck to this template.
Rated 14 May 2014
2
31st
This it not anything we haven't seen before, both story wise and plot development. Pine as the intelligent agent is hard to believe, and Branagh as the bad guy is just wrong. He simply isn't "scary". - Okay
Rated 14 May 2014
62
21st
nothing special but still watchable if you like spy thrillers
Rated 05 Sep 2014
70
68th
Bragnagh's a little too in love with his own character, but that's okay since he's the most interesting part of it. Well made, competent spy movie that looks great.
Rated 19 Mar 2014
64
29th
63.500
Rated 01 Jun 2014
1
16th
So incredibly mediocre and lame and has been done a thousand times before. Nothing about this movie stands out, which is why I give this movie 1 out of 5 stars.
Rated 18 Jan 2014
40
35th
http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/jack-ryan-shadow-recruit.aspx
Rated 23 Feb 2014
50
29th
The first half, or even first two-thirds, are taut, intelligent and fun, and Branagh gets the most out of Pine, Costner & Knightley -- not to mention giving his own performance more time to breathe than another director might have. Yet as soon as the film leaves Russia to return home to stop the threat of terrorism on American soil, it loses its identity and becomes an entirely generic, boiler-plate actioner with a climax that could belong to any film. A shame, as the first half deserved better.
Rated 18 Jul 2019
60
58th
ger; [Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit]; ein mann wird von der cia als finanzanalyst angeworben und soll einen geplanten angriff von russland verhindern.;
Rated 15 Jun 2014
67
17th
Vapid but entertaining
Rated 18 Jun 2017
50
29th
The plot barely starts until an hour in. For an origin story, it has surprisingly little to say about its protagonist.
Rated 12 May 2014
62
53rd
It adds nothing new to spy film tradition, but so what? Branagh does a solid pastiche -- despite that kitschy poetic touch in every Russian segment/dialogue -- by collecting some of De Palma's thrills in M.I. and also the guts of the recent Bourne-driven wave of international thrillers. This post-9/11 film follows an analyst-turned-operational in the midst of a terrorist attack on Wall Street combined with a financial hit on US economy. Or: Second Great Depression knocks. Silly and thrilling.
Rated 21 Jan 2014
80
19th
Even though it gives into the "big action finale" mentality of modern blockbusters at the end, when "Shadow Recruit" plays to the everyman qualities of the character, it's a successful reintroduction to the character. I don't know if we'll see more films about the late Clancy's character, but if we do, I think Pine, Knightley, and Costner set up a good framework with which to build on what they set up here.
Rated 27 Jul 2014
45
6th
Action flick that doesn't make too much sense.. Liked the bad guy but still a meh movie.
Rated 11 May 2014
30
16th
I've never been impressed by Branagh as director or actor, and true to form this film is almost shockingly uninteresting. Literally the only surprise was that those responsible thought it a good idea to end with the two male hero-protagonists meeting The President to get congrats.
Rated 30 Jan 2015
60
26th
It was hyped as a headier spy thriller, but it left me completely unsatisfied in the end. Leaving aside Pine's poor acting, there is a point in the movie where his character turns from "I'm just an analyst, I can't do anything [spy-like]" to superhero in charge of the CIA's operation. The sigh that began to escape my throat was pushed aside by my need to suppress vomit as the mediocre story took a decidedly full-on turn to suck-ville.
Rated 09 Jun 2014
25
17th
It's a bunch of naughty Motherland obsessed Russian's and a bunch of Constitutionally fuelled American's running around occasionally shooting at each other. In others words, there's nothing here you won't have seen a hundred times before, and probably done better.
Rated 16 Sep 2014
50
7th
Didn't finish it.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
40
18th
Shadow Recruit is inescapably bland. Branagh is a good director and the cast keep it together well, but the central character just isn't that interesting. He's really good at his job, but in a way that doesn't really work on screen. It's talent without pizazz.
Rated 21 Aug 2022
80
90th
Jack is an under cover Cia who has to stop a Russian operative. They show you he's a soldier in the beginning who gets injured while on a helicopter, goes to recuperate & 10 years he takes on a Cia mission to stop the Russian. Has to lie to his girlfriend & eventually he tells her he's a Cia Agent. The Russian has a son, he successfully stops the son from blowing up Wall Street.
Rated 23 Sep 2015
40
34th
Competent but not that thrilling, introducing little to the genre in terms of story or cinematography. To me, I think the primary weakness is the lack of chemistry between the leads (Pine and Knightley). If you show two people in a relationship not trusting one another and not getting along from the very moment you introduce them, it's hard to get an audience to care all that much when one of their lives is threatened.
Rated 13 Jan 2014
40
25th
Besides the updated plot about economic terrorism there aren't many positive adjectives to put in front of the new Jack Ryan. The script is weak, the acting is waaay over the top and there are so many things that doesn't make any sense - as in at all!
Rated 18 Jun 2014
60
29th
I like that it tried to be a relatively well-told small-scale action story. If only someone had told the story and the needlessly heavy 9/11 imagery, it might actually have worked.
Rated 08 Sep 2018
50
21st
Klişe
Rated 07 Jun 2014
70
71st
Enjoyable 90s style thriller.
Rated 04 Feb 2014
40
5th
Can't say I liked it. Kept me entertained for the runtime but there was no substance and extremely predictable. It's a decent plot but I felt the only standout actor was Keira Knightley and the rest were rather underwhelming.
Rated 11 May 2014
40
21st
Mostly just banal and mediocre. An economic threat,really? All the elements for this genre are there but it's a poor Bourne-a-like
Rated 18 Jan 2015
50
23rd
Entertainment: 4/4. Spirit: 0.5/3. Sustainability: 0.5/3.
Rated 12 Oct 2014
30
7th
Just bland, forgettable and inconsequential.
Rated 03 Oct 2014
70
70th
The plot was underwhelming and frequently unconvincing, but the acting was engaging and the action was entertaining. Keira Knightley was awesome and beautiful. Chris Pine was a good leading man. It was also nice to see Kevin Costner. Supporting cast was also good. Production quality and music were excellent.
Rated 23 Dec 2018
34
26th
not so good
Rated 12 Sep 2023
60
23rd
It's all sheer idiocy, but in a "doesn't it kind of remind you of a mid-tier James Bond outing" kind of way.
Rated 18 Jan 2014
79
30th
This was a pretty good thriller. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a nice, short, thrilling, and pretty smart suspenseful movie from director Kenneth Branagh. Nothing too new but it's a completely average movie.
Rated 16 Oct 2019
5
40th
It's entertaining at time and forgettable for the most part.
Rated 11 May 2014
60
37th
Solid but generic. The new new origin story of Ryan plays it safe and somehow believeable. Heres hoping for a sequel more unleashed.
Rated 30 Jun 2014
50
25th
perhaps to be a thriller, they shouldn't have run through the movie so quickly that you didn't have a chance to feel tense before the whole thing was over. and, perhaps, they shouldn't have made it so predictable.
Rated 08 Feb 2014
42
34th
chris fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Rated 07 May 2014
50
4th
Utter crap!
Rated 28 Jan 2014
5
30th
It gets straight to the point and doesn't dilly-dally, but that's probably the best thing I can say about Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Costner annoyed me, Pine I tolerated, and Knightley was okay, I guess. Everything just seems to have been made quickly and without too much thought, but expecting otherwise in a franchise reprisal is a little dumb to do. Anyway, ending on a positive note, I love the Call of Duty, military score and the fact the NSA wasn't mentioned once! Up yours, G-man snoop!
Rated 12 Jul 2014
71
29th
Visually strong, but somewhat bland, Shadow Recruit is an average action flick that really doesn't rise above any others, but still gives some good solid entertainment with decent performances and some sleek direction.
Rated 27 May 2014
86
23rd
1244: also clichey!
Rated 27 Jan 2014
70
26th
A mostly-entertaining mess that's worth watching once but almost certainly not twice. Of the genre, I preferred Jack Reacher, but enjoyed this more than the last Bourne film; your mileage may vary. There are enough decent character moments - particularly early on, before the movie succumbs to Hollywood finale syndrome - to keep you interested for a single go-round.
Rated 27 Jan 2014
61
55th
Incredibly old school an (mostly) all the better for it. Ignore the plot.
Rated 15 Aug 2018
50
33rd
I guess the word "bland" sums it up well enough, but considering the quality of the (three) first Jack Ryan films, this generic spy-flavored action plot feels particularly misplaced.
Rated 23 Mar 2020
50
11th
The first half was slow and maybe not that interesting/gripping; but still Shadow Recruit was going for thoughtful in it's build up - and for me this was the stronger part of the film. When going intensifies, it slides into plain silliness - culminating in the final meeting with the president of the us of a lol. As a Jack Ryan -reboot Shadow Recruit is very unnecessary.
Rated 01 Feb 2015
40
25th
Meh...
Rated 08 Jan 2015
3
43rd
Maybe it's because I'm a girl... The good guys are good - the bad guys are bad. Who cares if the plot doesn't make sense?! *Spoiler alert: No one dies and he rescues the girl :-)
Rated 19 Jan 2014
48
9th
The type of mediocre TV movie that might satisfy you if you're desperate for some thriller on a Saturday night at home. Bland characters, unimaginative suspense/action set pieces; pedestrian direction.

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