REVIEW: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is Worth Adding to Your Fall Watch List

Amazon Studios releases their brand-new series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, tomorrow, August 31. Based on the popular book series by Tom Clancy, the show follows CIA analyst Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) as he makes a discovery which takes him from behind his desk at Langley to the action unfolding in the Middle East.

Fans of the book series and original movies may be disappointed to learn the new series is not set during the character’s original timeline of the 1980s and 1990s. Instead this is a modern-day take on the beloved character in present day and focuses on what is going on in society now. Ryan is no longer dealing with a Soviet submariner trying to defect to the United States like he was in The Hunt for Red October. Ryan instead is dealing with a terrorist attempting to roll out a massive attack on the United States.

Krasinski leads the show as the title character and is enjoyable. Sometimes with political thrillers the lead can be too over the top, but Krasinski’s Ryan is more your everyday type of guy. This works well for Krasinski, who many don’t associate with action adventure, and it matches well with how he has opted to portray Ryan. Wendell Pierce as Ryan’s boss at the CIA, James Greer has a gruff attitude that works nicely next to Krasinski’ s Ryan. There is a mystery surrounding the CIA boss that Wendell does well to hone in on. Hopefully, fans don’t have to wait too long before finding out what that mystery is.

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is a nice addition to any viewers’ Fall binge watch list. The series is filled with enough action and twists to keep the audience engaged without feeling too overwhelmed. Fans won’t have to worry about potential dead-end storylines since the show has already been renewed for a second season.

Grace: B