After Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine in films, writer-producers Carlton Cuse (Locke & Key, The Witches of Eastwick (1992), Bates Motel) & Graham Roland (Dark Winds, Fringe, Almost Human) are bringing Tom Clancy‘s most popular character Jack Ryan to the small screen. Not based on a particular Clancy novel, since these books are tied to the geopolitics of the 80S and 90s, this Prime Video series starring John Krasinski (13 Hours, The Office) in the titular role, Wendell Pierce (Selma, Breaking Dawn 2, The Wire), Abbie Cornish (Three Billboards, Klondike, Sucker Punch), Ali Suliman (The Looming Tower, A Borrowed Identity), Dina Shihabi (Madam Secretary), and Haaz Sleiman (The State).

Premise: Jack Ryan, a talented junior analyst at the CIA uncovers a suspicious series of bank transfers, his search for answers pulls him into the orbit of a dangerous mystery man preparing for a massive attack against the US and her allies. This drags Jack from the safety of his desk job and catapults him into a treacherous field assignment for the first time as he joins in tracking down this man before it’s too late.

Review: The production value of this show is quite impressive, it’s slick and it feels like a big-budget movie at times, with its many locations, the action scenes, and the cast. The locations, and subject matter, make it feel global. The cinematography is outstanding and the acting is amazing. They’ve picked the right man for the job. Krasinski has that everyman quality to him with a smart hedge and the build of a plausible action hero. He fits Jack Ryan well. Ryan is an analyst he leads with his brain, not his biceps, he’s the desk jokey that’s not afraid to swing into action if required. The series totally encapsulates that, allowing it to stand out from the typical soldier/action hero type we get in this type of show.

Plot-wise it’s nuanced and has a lot of depth as a political thriller should. There is a nice balance in the show between character development, story, and action. The series has several storylines running, some of which are ripped from the headlines, making the show seem fresh and grounded with great emotional depth.

Prime Video’s Jack Ryan has enough story and interesting characters to keep you watching, it’s thrilling and action-packed in the best way

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