"Tom Clancy Jack Ryan :Ghost War Review - John Kranski Anchors a Smart and Gritty Return to the Ryanverse

Three years after concluding a four-season run on Prime Video, “Jack Ryan” gets a feature film titled “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War.” This joint-venture production involves Amazon, MGM Studios, Sunday Night Productions, Paramount Pictures, and Skydance Productions. The film is directed by Andrew Bernstein and written by Aaron Rabin and John Krasinski, based on a story by Krasinski and Noah Oppenheim.

In the film, Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) is living a quiet life in New York City after leaving the CIA when his former boss, James Greer (Wendell Pierce), seeks him out for a mission to take down a rogue black-ops unit. Reuniting with battle-tested CIA operative Mike November (Michael Kelly), Jack soon embarks on a mission to save the world and encounters the razor-sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller) in an effort to defeat a foe who is one step ahead.

My introduction to Jack Ryan was in the 1990 film “The Hunt for Red October,” starring Alec Baldwin. Since then, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine have all played the role, each putting their own spin on it. I generally enjoy the character. However, I never had a chance to watch the show “Jack Ryan” on Prime Video, so my introduction to Krasinski’s portrayal was with fresh eyes.

Like many, my introduction to Krasinski was as Jim on “The Office” and through other comedic roles, but his performance as a Navy SEAL in “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is where I began to respect his range. Krasinski brings an organic everyman charm to Ryan; he can deliver a quip, pack a punch, and fire a weapon.

The supporting cast is strong as well. Sienna Miller is always a joy to watch on screen and more than holds her own alongside the male actors. Michael Kelly provides comic relief without going over the top, while Wendell Pierce brings his usual confident swagger to the role of James Greer. I also commend the filmmakers for not making Jack Ryan a John Wick-type character, instead leaning toward a more realistic approach for his action scenes.

If I had one issue with the film, it was that the Ryanverse characters John Clark and Domingo Chavez don’t appear. It would have been great to see them in the film, as they have connections to the Ryan character. Nevertheless, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War” is a solid one-time watch for both newcomers and longtime fans.

Final Grade: B

“Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan : Ghost War” premieres May 20th on Prime Video.