Jack Ryan

Gargamel · 10-27-18, 08:52 PM

Amazon recently released a new series based on Tom Clancy's series of books. It takes the main character from the books, Jack Ryan, and places him back about 1/3 the way into his career. I mention this in a new thread, as a good number of us are fans of the books, and have been disappointed of late by the portrayals of the characters and plots.

Trailer:

Quick review:
This should be a spoiler free review, but does include some things you'll need to appreciate the series.

I really did enjoy this series. Once I realized the characters were the same in Name and Spirit only, I really enjoyed it.

Ryan is pretty true to the books' character. He's an analyst for the CIA at this point, early/mid 30's, doctorate of Economics (not History, and that may be the biggest change in the character), ex-marine who did hurt himself in a chopper crash. And Krasinsky does a pretty good job of portaying how Clancy actually wrote the character. My biggest pet peeve is when he doesn't flinch at all at an unexpected helicopter ride.

The rest of the characters are true in name only. The character that would be John Clark, isn't even Clark (I don't think, that might be part of the shtick though). Greer is far from the one played by James Earl Jones. Once you get by that fact, you can appreciate what Pierce is bringing to the performance.

The plot is very deserving of the Clancy name. Elements of "The Sum of All Fears" and "Executive Orders" do shine through at times, but the story is it's own. It does become somewhat unrealistic about the willingness of the CIA to deploy an analyst to the field, but that is what made the Clancy stories great. I just think this series missed on the serendipitous elements of those deployments. But aside from that, it pretty much holds up.

All in all, I'd have to give it 8/10. The end of the series is clearly left open for future seasons, and I do look forward to those if they occur.

Eichhörnchen · 10-28-18, 03:22 AM

We enjoyed all the movies... watched "Shadow Recruit" last weekend and thought what a great choice Chris Pine would've been for Jason Bourne as well (I also love all the Tom Clancy PC games)

But we don't have a TV or good internet, so we'll wait it out for the boxed set and binge-watch it

Jimbuna · 10-28-18, 07:00 AM

Pretty much agree with your assessment but nothing compares with the books and I now regret passing them on because I could probably read them again in a couple of years time.

I really missed James Earl Jones.

Platapus · 10-28-18, 03:47 PM

I was never a big Tom Clancy fan. but one character I would like to see a series about would be Clark.

Gargamel · 10-28-18, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eichhörnchen

We enjoyed all the movies... watched "Shadow Recruit" last weekend and thought what a great choice Chris Pine would've been for Jason Bourne as well (I also love all the Tom Clancy PC games)

But we don't have a TV or good internet, so we'll wait it out for the boxed set and binge-watch it

I haven't seen that one, but some of the later movies have been an insult to the books. At least the earlier movies stayed pretty true to books, while the later ones kept just enough to be infuriating. This series is pretty much an alternate reality, where the names are the same, but played differently.

And I wouldn't hold your breath for a box set, it's on Amazon Prime, I've never heard of those going to physical media.

Commander Wallace · 10-29-18, 07:42 AM

Tom Clancy was great at writing " Techno Thrillers. " I did read most of his books and the character of Jack Ryan provided the most room for development. Clark and Chavez also left a lot of room for develoment as well. This was probably what Tom Clancy had in mind.

Stephen Coonts is another writer of a similar writing style or genre as that of Clancy. Coonts wrote " Flight of The Intruder. " Coonts was himself was a aviator in the U.S Navy and flew the A-6 Intruder so he knew the background on the aircraft and Navy. Stephen wrote other books as well. Give them a try.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Coonts

Falkirion · 10-29-18, 09:39 PM

I enjoyed it too. Hard to reconcile this version of the characters with Clancy's but did manage it eventually. Ended up loving the series and really hope to see at least one more before it gets canned as good shows do eventually.

Wish it had a longer episode run though. I saw the final plot by episode 4. But that's probably me reading too much Clancy so the writers can't keep the twist under wraps.

10-27-18, 08:52 PM	#1
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Jack Ryan Amazon recently released a new series based on Tom Clancy's series of books. It takes the main character from the books, Jack Ryan, and places him back about 1/3 the way into his career. I mention this in a new thread, as a good number of us are fans of the books, and have been disappointed of late by the portrayals of the characters and plots. Trailer: Quick review: This should be a spoiler free review, but does include some things you'll need to appreciate the series. I really did enjoy this series. Once I realized the characters were the same in Name and Spirit only, I really enjoyed it. Ryan is pretty true to the books' character. He's an analyst for the CIA at this point, early/mid 30's, doctorate of Economics (not History, and that may be the biggest change in the character), ex-marine who did hurt himself in a chopper crash. And Krasinsky does a pretty good job of portaying how Clancy actually wrote the character. My biggest pet peeve is when he doesn't flinch at all at an unexpected helicopter ride. The rest of the characters are true in name only. The character that would be John Clark, isn't even Clark (I don't think, that might be part of the shtick though). Greer is far from the one played by James Earl Jones. Once you get by that fact, you can appreciate what Pierce is bringing to the performance. The plot is very deserving of the Clancy name. Elements of "The Sum of All Fears" and "Executive Orders" do shine through at times, but the story is it's own. It does become somewhat unrealistic about the willingness of the CIA to deploy an analyst to the field, but that is what made the Clancy stories great. I just think this series missed on the serendipitous elements of those deployments. But aside from that, it pretty much holds up. All in all, I'd have to give it 8/10. The end of the series is clearly left open for future seasons, and I do look forward to those if they occur. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

10-28-18, 03:22 AM	#2
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,399 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	We enjoyed all the movies... watched "Shadow Recruit" last weekend and thought what a great choice Chris Pine would've been for Jason Bourne as well (I also love all the Tom Clancy PC games) But we don't have a TV or good internet, so we'll wait it out for the boxed set and binge-watch it __________________

10-28-18, 07:00 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,561 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Pretty much agree with your assessment but nothing compares with the books and I now regret passing them on because I could probably read them again in a couple of years time. I really missed James Earl Jones. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-28-18, 03:47 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,373 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I was never a big Tom Clancy fan. but one character I would like to see a series about would be Clark. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-29-18, 07:42 AM	#6
Commander Wallace Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Under the sea in an Octupus garden in the shade Posts: 5,297 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	Tom Clancy was great at writing " Techno Thrillers. " I did read most of his books and the character of Jack Ryan provided the most room for development. Clark and Chavez also left a lot of room for develoment as well. This was probably what Tom Clancy had in mind. Stephen Coonts is another writer of a similar writing style or genre as that of Clancy. Coonts wrote " Flight of The Intruder. " Coonts was himself was a aviator in the U.S Navy and flew the A-6 Intruder so he knew the background on the aircraft and Navy. Stephen wrote other books as well. Give them a try. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Coonts

10-29-18, 09:39 PM	#7
Falkirion Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, AUS Posts: 1,043 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	I enjoyed it too. Hard to reconcile this version of the characters with Clancy's but did manage it eventually. Ended up loving the series and really hope to see at least one more before it gets canned as good shows do eventually. Wish it had a longer episode run though. I saw the final plot by episode 4. But that's probably me reading too much Clancy so the writers can't keep the twist under wraps.