“Jack Ryan: Ghost War is a superb and rivetting action thriller that fully brings Tom Clancy’s reluctant hero to life in an outstanding John Krasinski.”
Jack Ryan is back on Prime Video. After four epic and superb seasons of the series, it is now time for the character to hit the service in a new feature-length movie, Jack Ryan: Ghost War. Once again played by the brilliant John Krasinski, the film also features Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, and Sienna Miller. Directed by Andrew Bernstein and written by Aaron Rabin and John Krasinski, the story is by Krasinski and Noah Oppenheim. As a result, it is the sixth film and third reboot in the Jack Ryan series. It is, as expected, a continuation of the Prime Video series that ran from 2018 to 2023. After five big-screen movies and four seasons, can Jack return to entertain and thrill us again? Or should he have stayed away?
PREMISE
In this new film, Jack Ryan is reluctantly thrust back into the world of espionage. An international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy. This forces him to confront a rogue black-ops unit, and the clock is ticking. Operating in real time with lives on the line and the threat escalating at every turn. Jack reunites with battle-tested CIA operative Mike November (Michael Kelly) and former CIA boss James Greer (Wendell Pierce). Their combined experience is the only edge they have against an enemy who knows their every move. Backed by an unlikely new partner – razor-sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller) – Jack and the team navigate a treacherous web of betrayal. They are also facing a past they thought was long put to rest. This makes the situation the most personal, high-stakes mission any of them has ever faced.
THOUGHTS
Fans of Tom Clancy and the character of Jack Ryan can breathe easy. This new chapter of the famous character is sublime. It fully brings the character to life and is played perfectly. Thrilling, action-packed, often quite funny but with a serious plotline to sustain it, it rises above the streaming platform. As a result, it is a better cinematic experience than most of what’s currently playing on screens. A twisting and globe-trotting adventure awaits all those who watch it, and it brings us the definitive version of the character. No offense to Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine, but John Krasinski simply IS Jack Ryan. This is the character fans around the world have read over the years. Krasinski makes Ryan leap from the page and into life brilliantly.
CAST
The cast is exceptional in their roles. John Krasinski is outstanding, bringing a grounded and human version of Ryan. He doesn’t play the typical action hero for most of the film; instead, he actively analyzes the evidence presented to him and offers advice before reluctantly jumping into action. However, in the final third of the movie, he transforms back into the Ryan we know and love. Wendell Pierce shines once again as James Greer. He is returning to a role he has mastered since 2018. It is an unfair comparison to match him against the performance of the late, great James Earl Jones in the same role from the 1990s movies. Both interpret the character differently. Jones is the quiet, devious CIA director, while Pierce plays him as a quick-thinking, focused former soldier who only wants the job done to his satisfaction. Despite this, he has much affection for Ryan.
Michael Kelly as Mike November also reprises his role brilliantly. He is often the comedy relief in times of drama and violence, but once he gets into the fight, he is marvelous as his character. Betty Gabriel returns as Elizabeth Wright, the CIA director. Although her screen time is limited, her character’s fate drives the story forward in a way that fans of Clancy’s novels will recognize and appreciate by the film’s conclusion. Despite being supporting characters, both deliver the goods and make the film as good as it is.
SIENNA MILLER AND MAX BEESLEY
Sienna Miller as Emma Marlow, an MI6 operative, dives straight into the action. The actress is a welcome addition to the cast, making Emma an ass-kicking, strong, iron-willed female character who more than holds her own against Krasinski’s Ryan. There is no sexual tension or hints of romance between her and Ryan. This is all business, which makes a welcome change and a breath of fresh air in the film. By the climax, Sienna Miller is more than a new addition to the franchise. She’s also a welcome antidote to the testosterone-fueled male dominance that could so easily have overwhelmed the film.
Max Beesley as Liam Crown, the movie’s villain, also excels. A seriously driven, violent, scheming former comrade of Greer’s, Crown is a villain that feels like we could so easily bump into on the street on any given day. He seems so quiet, unassuming, and non-threatening. However, this hides a driven former soldier who has a real agenda, one which we can easily believe in. Crown shows no mercy when he needs to, making for a presence that fits the film like a glove. He comes across in a similar vein to Sean Harris as Solomon Lane in Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible- Fallout. Both are quietly spoken, belying their dark, violent natures.
VERDICT
Jack Ryan: Ghost War is a superb and rivetting action thriller that fully brings Tom Clancy’s reluctant hero to life in an outstanding John Krasinski. The screenplay is almost pitch-perfect. It nails the essence of Clancy’s novels, bringing us the definitive version of Ryan. Featuring superb direction by Andrew Bernstein, the film looks brilliant, is tightly plotted, and is expertly crafted. Boasting a brilliant score by Ramin Djawadi and William Marriott, which fits the film excellently, all the pieces come together into an almost perfectly completed jigsaw. In addition, it is energetic, giving us an action thriller that resonates throughout. Even in the quieter moments, we find ourselves watching every character and listening to every conversation. This is in case we see or hear a vital plot clue about who is on the level and who is a double-crosser.
By the time we reach the climax, we are gripping the arms of our chairs, waiting to see how the film will be resolved. To say it does in an extremely satisfying way would be an understatement. It leaves us with a smile on our faces. We are also left hoping to see more of the characters going forward. The final scene leaves enough room for the franchise to continue if the makers wisely decide to do so. This is what I’ve been waiting for: a new Jack Ryan movie that serves the character in the way he was written expertly. Welcome back, Jack! I’ve missed you! Come back soon; the world and I request it. A top-notch piece of entertainment.
Jack Ryan: Ghost War is available to watch on Prime Video now.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
