MovieChat Forums > Jack Ryan (2018) Discussion > This was surprisingly good, but...

This was surprisingly good, but...

posted 6 years ago by Gastonian (946)
29 replies | jump to latest

I thought this was really solid. Fast paced, good plot and well-rounded characters, including the terrorists. There was a lot to be invested in. I was especially refreshed that they didn't inject real-life politics or social justice messaging into this series. However, despite being a fan of John Krasinski, I didn't much care for his performance here. He came off pretty stolid and lifeless. It was like he was constantly trying too hard to keep the serious face on. Not my favorite Jack Ryan but a solid series overall.

[–] TandyMan (10674) 6 years ago

I can't get it to stream. I don't know if the server is being flooded or what. Amazon is no netflix.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

My only complaint is the liberal slant of trying to justify the terrorists hatred of the US. Give me a break, you don't try to humanize the terrorist just leave them to be slaughtered, that's what the audience wants not some sob story to justify them trying to kill Americans.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8462) 6 years ago

Well making the terrosists cookie-cutter caricatures is just not very good writing.

The best movies and shows have compelling villains. A boring villain is just . . . well, boring.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

And having the villains become villains because their home was bombed when they were kids isn't cookie-cutter? Give me a break that is as cookie-cutter as you can get for a motive. The only reason to use that tired old reason was to try and humanize the terrorist. Honesty would have been to have had them bad because they were muslims brainwashed to hate Americans, at the very least they shouldn't have painted any background for them.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8462) 6 years ago

Well it's a historical reality that some people have joined terror groups precisely because they experienced an event like the one in the show. I don't mind them using that reality to craft the antagonists.

Undoubtedly many terrorists are, for lack of a better word, simply evil and psychopathic. But to ignore the fact that some chose that path because they felt they had legitimate cause to be angry about something is to ignore the complexities of reality.

[–] beauq81 (1028) 6 years ago

Exactly. Moussa chose this life after years of trying to build a normal life.

[–] sanrain (74) 6 years ago

Well but American do put their nose in other country business. Imagine we have a neighbor hood and some one attacks us. That is what Americans do. They just randomly drop bombs in residential and school areas. I am not saying what the terrorists doing is right ( killing people in church and hospital). But if US has not interfered in first place they would not have been made. No child is born a killer it is the world that turns him into.

[–] Nosduj (144) 6 years ago

As a person who recognizes and is sick of "the liberal slant of trying to justify the terrorists hatred of the US" I don't think that is what went on here.

They definitely gave back-story but did not make excuses.

You should be amazed that they chose to make a show like this where Middle Eastern Muslim's are the terrorists instead of white Europeans.

[–] UpSideSunny (104) 6 years ago

Oh boy, I came here to make a similar post. I am loving the show, but he was the worst choice for this role. I loved him in the office, but now playing an action hero, I think he looks like a christmas elf. I have absolutely nohing against him as an actor, and absolutely loved his last movie, but I'll be damned - I can't take him seriously in this roll. Perhaps other people may feel differently, but I can't get over it.. My suspension of disbelief does not accept him as Jack Ryan. And I feel bad saying it because I enjoy his other work.. This was just bad casting in my opinion. If you enjoyed it though, I am happy you did. I wish I could too.I am still a fan of his, but this round I am going to opt for a hard no.

[–] Gastonian (946) 6 years ago

Glad I'm not the only one. With 'The Office' he had a very naturalistic vibe with the material. Here he just isn't gelling with the rest of the cast or story. His tortured soul routine lacks charm, humour, and charisma. He's also an unambiguous dogooder with no flaws or vices. Meaning no real human characteristics.

[–] MikeDOpera (2) 6 years ago

For me, and this is a personal opinion, so I'm not arguing, he looked really comfortable as an analyst, and totally beleivable behind a desk. On the field, even if he his a Marine, he looked overwelmed and out of his element, but still wanted to perform. What you saw has a ''Christmas elf'', I saw has a desk jockey for the last four years trying to cope with a firefight and a scenario he was not anticipating.

I enjoy John Krazinsky's performance and think he paint a good portrait of Jack Ryan. Where Harrison Ford played it more smoothly, more natural, Krazinsky's Ryan is, to me, more struggling out of his comfort zone.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8462) 6 years ago

Well I think "a desk jockey for the last four years trying to cope with a firefight" is EXACTLY the character he's playing. If you remember, when his boss tells him to get on the plane he stops and says, "What? I can't go to Yemen. I'm an analyst!"

He's Jack Ryan the analyst. He'll need to learn how to be Jack Ryan the action hero.

[–] MikeDOpera (2) 6 years ago

Agreed a 100%. It's the start of the adventure, and he's learning the ropes.

On your next topic, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, I had the chance to read the book before watching the movie; excellent book and decent movie, but you are right, Krazinsky can play an action character, just not the John McLain (Bruce Willis) or Major ''Dutch'' Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) type.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8462) 6 years ago

I actually got the 13 Hours book in a combo pack with the Blu-Ray. Still haven't read it yet, though.

I liked the movie quite a bit, however. Michael Bay often gets shit on for all his Transformers movies and whatnot, but when he really tries, he can actually make a pretty good film. 13 Hours proves that, I think. (And so does The Rock and Pain and Gain.)

Regarding Krasinski as an action hero, it's going to be interesting to see if that becomes a regular thing for him. In 15 years will we look back at his career and see that he played a lot of action roles? Or is it something he's just kind of getting out of his system right now?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8462) 6 years ago

Did you by chance see 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi?

That was the first action role he did, playing a spec ops guy. Maybe it's because that film already sold me on the idea of John-Krasinski-the-action-hero but I think he's doing okay in this show so far.

Here's the trailer for 13 Hours if you're curious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBFmlNfFwUw

[–] orangeflava (1747) 6 years ago

yeah since I had seen him in that movie I bought him as Ryan in this show. Great first season. Bring on Russia in season 2!

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

Yeah, he is not a good actor...

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

He is a good actor. But the Jack Ryan character is horrible.

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

I've finished six episodes so far, he hasn't looked natural in his role to me ever once.

How is that a hallmark of a good actor?

[–] Gastonian (946) 6 years ago

Good point. I was about to chime in here that its possible to be a good actor who has been miscast in a role. And actors who are miscast don't play that particular role very well. But when I come to think of it, I can't recall a single dramatic performance he's done that I liked. I like him in comedic roles. So I think it would be more accurate to say that he's a good comedic actor.

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

Yeah, I think Emily Blunt carried him in A Quiet Place.

[–] Gastonian (946) 6 years ago

Ughh, that movie was so stupid. At least JK wasn't speaking while he was trying to act serious in that.

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

It really was. But the acting was good!

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

To me, a good actor is one who convinces me he is the character. I find that to be true in this.

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

Well, seems like you are the only one.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Yes, well that is what subjective means.

[–] gbu (557) 6 years ago

It was good and i liked it but tbh it felt like a poor mans 24!

[–] exatera (3949) 6 years ago

That was exactly my thought when I was watching it, too.

The show heavily resembles "24", and the comparison is not in its favor.

[–] papamihel (1592) 6 years ago

Good production values but otherwise childish, ignorant and prejudiced.