Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
89
Details:
Studio and Year: Paramount - 2014
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 105 minutes
Genre: Crime/Action
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, French/Spanish/Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Starring: Chris Pine, Kevin Coster, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Music by: Patrick Doyle
Written by: Adam Cozad & David Koepp
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: June 10, 2014
"Trust no one…"
My Take:
CIA recruit Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) is caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and espionage spun between shadowy government agent Harper (Kevin Costner), his unsuspecting fiancée (Keira Knightly) and a fearless Russian power broker (Kenneth Branagh). Jack is recruited by Harper after displaying excellent intelligence gathering skills and extreme bravery/heroism as a young Marine lieutenant. What starts out as a “simple” covert analyst’s job on Wall Street quickly evolves into something much deeper and dangerous when Jack uncovers a devastating terrorist plot against the United States. When he travels to Russia to access the financial source at its heart things escalate and is summarily informed “you’re not just an analyst anymore, you’re now operational”. The stakes have never been higher…
I am a fan of the Jack Ryan character however my perspective rests solely on the film adaptations beginning with “The Hunt for Red October”. I really like the Harrison Ford Jack Ryan series and although I looked forward to this reboot of the Jack Ryan character now played by Chris Pine the trailer didn’t inspire me to venture out to the theater to see it. This original story which begins with a young Jack Ryan follows him from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper (Kevin Costner). The script, penned by David Koepp and Adam Cozard, is briskly paced which leaves certain elements of the plot open to interpretation and in some cases noticeably missing.
For a Jack Ryan thriller the development of the narrative and characters is shallower than I would have liked. This gave the film a derivative essence that I wouldn’t classify as deleterious but more as obvious. There are some very good moments of suspense and the action is about what you’d expect from a Jack Ryan film and is fun to watch. The choice of Chris Pine to play the role of Jack was a good one. I think he holds up well compared to Alec Baldwin and coincides nicely with Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Jack at an older age. Kevin Costner is as good as he always is although there wasn’t much depth to his character here. I didn’t feel that Keira Knightley was right for this role given the way the character was written. Her chemistry with Chris Pine was less than engaging although again to be fair there really wasn’t much meat here.
The 105 minute runtime and brisk pacing kept things moving which was a good thing, considering the scope of the storyline. As someone that tends to enjoy spy/espionage thrillers I found Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit to be moderately lacking but enjoyable. I would suggest viewing it with reserved expectations as going in with high hopes might be disappointing.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for sequences of violence and intense action and brief strong language.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency effects:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
- Low frequency extension * (non-rated element):
Video: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit comes to Blu-ray Disc from Paramount Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 31 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.8 Mbps.
This high definition presentation was on par with other new release films of its type and generally looked great. Colors were natural looking with a pleasing and reserved quality that capably handled the somewhat limited palette used to represent the period settings and clothing featured in the film. Flesh tones varied a bit with some appearing warm and lifelike while others were sullen with pallid characteristics. Contrast was tamped down but stable and images were well detailed and crisp, with sharp lines and appreciable dimension. Blacks weren’t inky but had good dynamic range and detail in shadowy backgrounds and low level sequences had estimable visibility which enhanced depth. This high bitrate encoding was rendered cleanly and didn’t exhibit any overt signs of compression related anomalies or deleterious artifacts.
The 7.1 channel DTS-HD MA surround mix delivers the soundtrack’s elements with aplomb. The higher fidelity inherent in this lossless audio presentation is readily apparent. Dynamic range is noteworthy which renders the film’s action based sequences with defining impact and energy. Dialogue is presented with crystal clear intonation, full bodied texture, and deep room penetration. Patrick Doyle’s music score is open and rewardingly spread over the listening area. Imaging across the front soundstage is excellent as sounds are integrated with precision. This can be an involving surround mix that engagingly utilizes the entire system where appropriate. Low frequency detail is clean, articulated and deep as points of contact resonate with palpable impact. This isn’t a bombastic or overly aggressive soundtrack but its blend of intricate detail and room filling dynamics make for an excellent home theater experience.
Bonus Features:
- Audio commentary by Kenneth Branagh & producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura
- (HD) Jack Ryan: The smartest guy in the room – 13 minute featurette
- (HD) Sir Kenneth Branagh: The Tsar of Shadow Recruit – 9 minute featurette
- (HD) Jack Ryan: A thinking man of action – 5 minute featurette
- (HD) Old enemies return – 21 minute documentary
- (HD) Deleted/extended scenes with optional filmmaker commentary
- Bonus DVD
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Based on the popular character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a global action thriller set in the present day that reboots the film franchise via a modestly engaging script that would have benefited from better developed story. It comes to Blu-ray from Paramount Home Entertainment featuring solid high definition video, excellent lossless surround sound and a fair supplemental package that is worth checking out. I am not certain if there will be a follow up to Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit but for those that enjoy the genre there is certainly enough merit in its release on Blu-ray to make it worth seeing.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS4910 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SVS PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
SVS PC12-NSD
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package