TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN: GHOST WAR was well anticipated, but alas, it was a disappointment. The film was all glitz and tech with no real verbal or character substance. The story evolved from one shoot-out or explosion to the next. Ryan, played by John Krasinski, was also one of the several writers. It was a lost opportunity for him to shed more Jack Ryan layers. The sarcastic humor was almost nonexistent. I shudder to say, it was almost boring.
I am a huge fan of Clancy’s Ryan book and TV series. I have read and watched them all. I relished their details and no-nonsense action plots. One of my former students is also an Executive Producer on the TV series and this latest movie. It pains me to say how this newest project did not measure up to its previous, amazing resume. I usually love to reread and rewatch anything about Ryan’s outrageous exploits. This will not be the case with GHOST WAR.
The supporting cast was fun, and it was great to see the gang together (Greer and Mike) and the addition of Emma. (Sienna Miller) The film actually set itself up for more in the future with that look in the van. Hmmm. Maybe everyone needs to rethink that possibility. Less is always more, and in this case, I am talking about additional sequels.
The cinematography in their three locations, London, Dubai, and New York, was fabulous. The chase scene through the streets of London was excellent. It was like being on a tour bus, but extremely fast and breathless. The shots of Dubai were amazing. I felt like I had an inside view of the surrounding, vast sandy desert landscapes juxtaposed beside those magnificent mile-high skyscrapers. It was all very creative and wonderful to watch.
TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN: GHOST STORY, in a nutshell, just wasn’t worth your time. My advice to everyone involved in this endeavor is to utilize your own words…”No hesitation.”
It is streaming on Prime Video.
