Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 2014 7 out of 10

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit  2014  7 out of 10

This was basically a reboot of the Jack Ryan character from the Tom Clancy novels that is the first movie not based on a Tom Clancy novel.  You know that I general hate Reboots.  It was a decent movie --but other than the name recognition, why even use the Jack Ryan name if it is basically a completely rebooted and new character not based on any book.  It didn't feel like the same character which left many fans of the books and films disappointed and even lead Chris Pine to appologize.

The original Jack Ryan book turned into a movie was the classic flick The Hunt for Red October starring Alec Baldwin as the Jack Ryan.  The Hunt for Red October was a great flick--but was just as much about Sean Connery's character as the defecting Russian Submarine Captain.   Then came Harrison Ford in two Jack Ryan  films The Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.  Harrison owned the role and both of this films were great as well.  Years later they tried to bring the character back starring  Ben Affleck which was also a decent film and Ben did a decent job in the role.

That being said this film was a decent thriller.  It features Chris Pine in the lead role being brought into the CIA by a character played by Kevin Costner.   The character ends up thwarting a Russian plot to attack the U.S. and crash the U.S. economy.   The movie is thrilling and has some good action scenes and some good tense spy thriller type moments.   It just  didn't feel like a Jack Ryan movie.   They should have created a new character rather than using the Jack Ryan name, especially since it wasn't based on a Tom Clancy book.   If you like thrillers this movie is worth a rental.  If you like Jack Ryan just pretend it is a different character and you may style enjoy the film.

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Horrible Bosses 2 2014 7 out of 10 (Can Unnecessary sequels still be good ?)

Horrible Bosses 2  2014  7 out of 10

A lot of sequels are made just because the first movie made a lot of money.  Hollywood doesn't care whether a sequel is necessary or not just whether it could make money.  As a result of a bunch of movies that really don't lend themselves to sequels get them anyway --whether there is a story to tell of not.   The worst example of this was Miss Congeniality.  Arguably the first one was actually pretty good --but the second one was absolutely uncalled for and unnecessary and was actually quite terrible and unforgettable as a result.  Horrible Bosses 2 was an unnecessary film --but it was still actually pretty good.

Horrible Bosses was a solid sequel despite a less interesting plot than the first one.    It proved that an unnecessary sequel can still be good when the level of the talent is good.  The cast chemistry of Jason Bateman, Jason Sudekias and Charlie Day make this movie enjoyable.  

 The original movie featured three friends that all worked for terrible bosses that decide over drinks that if they killed off each other’s bosses their lives could be better.   A crazy and implausible plot that goes horribly wrong.   Think Strangers on a Train meets the Three Stooges.  In the sequel they have gone into business for themselves and get screwed over in a ruthless business deal that causes them to lose everything.    So of course they decide to kidnap the guy's son to get their money back.   Again a very misguided and unbelievable decision that once again goes terrible wrong.

 The best part of the movie is the chemistry of the three main characters.  They work so good and compliment each other so well.   A perfect example of this chemistry is in the scene where two characters are breaking into the dentist office to get laughing gas for their upcoming kidnapping attempt and are communicating with Jason Bateman’s character via Dora walkie talkies and keep mentioning his real name.  This scene has some great dialogue as the characters try to come up with code names mid crime.

 If you liked the first Horrible Bosses then you will most likely enjoy the sequel as well.

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