Jack Ryan is a character who is often compared to James Bond for his ability to diffuse world-ending plans while working for the CIA. While the John Krasinski series would lend itself to this, the real Jack Ryan was never an action star, which plays a role in why so many have found his other movies better than his latest, Jack Ryan: Ghost War.
Ghost War, the sixth film in the Jack Ryan franchise, feels like a night-and-day difference from the first. That said, each movie offers something that moves beyond what Ghost War delivered and makes the Jack Ryan films worth a watch.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) Is a Weird But Entertaining Reboot
The second attempt at a reboot of the series, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, saw Chris Pine as a new addition to the CIA to uncover a plot to destabilize the US economy. The story itself feels like a basic Tom Clancy plot, on the surface, but the film is held back by being an action movie above all else.
Pine does a serviceable job as Ryan, and the film itself isn’t bad, but what makes it underrated is that it’s still not the most ideal look at the Ryan character. But compared to Ghost War, it’s leagues more exciting and put together as an action film.
The Sum of All Fears (2002) Had a Decent Story, But That’s It
The Sum of All Fears was the first attempt at a Jack Ryan reboot with Ben Affleck playing a much younger version of the character. The film explores Ryan trying to diffuse a situation that could lead to a nuclear bomb going off somewhere in the US. Affleck delivers his lines in a narrative that’s serviceable, but he lacks the necessary ingredients needed for a pitch-perfect Jack Ryan.
While not perfect, The Sum of All Fears is carried by a decent story that builds tension and feels like a classic ’90s thriller but in the 2000s. Compared to Ghost War, the difference is night and day, which is what still makes it a worthy watch.
Patriot Games (1992) Is a Thriller Focusing on Family
The first film with Harrison Ford in the role of Jack Ryan, Patriot Games shows Ryan caught in the crosshairs of an IRA terrorist after Ryan, protecting his family, kills one of their own. A thriller through and through, it’s a more contained story about a man protecting his family rather than trying to avert a global war.
Patriot Games was the best way to introduce a new version of Jack Ryan to audiences, and the film itself captures the essence of what makes the character so fun. It’s not heavy on action but is filled with tension, and that alone makes it leagues better than Jack Ryan: Ghost War.
Clear and Present Danger (1994) Explores Government Cover-Ups
The final film starring Harrison Ford, Clear and Present Danger puts Ryan in the role of Deputy Director of the CIA and sees him uncovering dangerous cover-ups that came to light after a mysterious murder. It’s a great conspiracy thriller where Jack Ryan goes up against situations he’s not used to.
Clear and Present Danger has a solid balance of action and drama, but still shines in the scenes where Ryan is in the office explaining his ethics against corrupt officials. Harrison Ford delivers a great final performance as the character that is worth watching alone.
The Hunt for Red October (1990) is the Perfect Jack Ryan Movie
The first film based on the Jack Ryan character, The Hunt for Red October, Alec Baldwin delivered an amazing performance that set a standard and captured the essence of what makes Jack Ryan such a compelling character. A key player in deciding the fate of a Russian submarine crew venturing into US waters, Ryan brought a calm and realistic portrayal of a guy in a situation more intense than he thought.
Jack Ryan: Ghost War focuses heavily on action rather than methodical planning, and that’s its greatest issue. The Hunt for Red October never overdoes the action, and it only exists when needed. It’s what makes Jack Ryan great and is a must-watch drama as a result.