Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
RATE THIS SERIES
6
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3
“Therefore, to you, and to the fifty governors, I have a request. Please, do not send me politicians. We do not have the time to do the things that must be done through that process. I need people who do real things in the real world. I need people who do not want to live in Washington. I need people who will not try to work the system. I need people who will come here at great personal sacrifice to do an important job, and then return home to their normal lives. “I want engineers who know how things are built. I want physicians who know how to make sick people well. I want cops who know what it means when your civil rights are violated by a criminal. I want farmers who grow real food on real farms. I want people who know what it’s like to have dirty hands, and pay a mortgage bill, and raise kids, and worry about the future. I want people who know they’re working for you and not themselves. That’s what I want. That’s what I need. I think that’s what a lot of you want, too.”
Tom Clancy, Executive Orders
PLOT
"Up-and-coming CIA analyst Jack Ryan is thrust into a dangerous field assignment as he uncovers a pattern in terrorist communication that launches him into the center of a dangerous gambit" or "American James Bond".
SCRIPT
This is what makes this series special. The script allows us to question our ideas about politics, race and terrorism. Not just for the Middle East, but also for South America. The Americans aren't always the hero and, most of the times, they feel likes the enemy.
The characters on both sides get wonderful archs and the themes of justice, security and power are carefully explored.
I would say that the first season is the best because is more impactful and daring while the second tends to drag a bit.
The fact that that each season the protagonist faces a different threat is a good and a bad thing, because it doesn't grant a lot of continuity while giving us something new to munch and enjoy. Continuity is the most prominent issue I have with this show, because there's a character which has some relevance in the first season which disappear in the second season. The send off of one the characters is also a bit rushed and it feels unearned.
Overall is a good script nonetheless. Flawed but remarkable.
Script: 7/10
ACTING
John Krasinski is perfectly casted and brings a lot of physicality and pathos to the character. I consider him pretty charismatic and an actor with a good range of emotions. Wendell Pierce, Ali Suliman and Dani Shihabi are the other highlights of this show. The first one does a good job in portraying the mentor of the protagonist and the others are quite impressive in bringing on the screen their characters who represents the point of view of the Middle Eastern people. The others are decent but I think that some are underutilized like Abbie Cornish, Noomi Rapace and Michael Kelly. Overall it's satisfying.
Acting: 8/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
It's good but it's hard to consider it remarkable. The colours aren't used in an interesting way and the light is usually flat. Sometimes shadows are used well. It was a let down, considering the production behind the show.
Photography: 6/10
EDITING
A bit repetitive and uninspired. It's stale and it doesn't offer much. The action scenes are well shoot but overall is a boring experience.
Editing: 6/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
There're a few but they're not perceivable. Considering that this show is intended to be as grounded as possible, the fact that the CGI is limited is certainly a good thing.
Special Effects: 6/10
SOUNDTRACK
It's appreciable but I don't consider it among the best works of Ramin Djawadi. It sets the tone well and create thrilling moments but I don't consider it top notch.
Soundtrack: 6/10
COSTUMES
The usual stuff related to crime and espionage contents. A lot of tactical suits, guns and bullettproof vests. This is why I won't say more about it.
Costumes: 6/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 7/10
Acting: 8/10
Photography: 6/10
Editing: 6/10
Special Effects: 6/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Costumes: 6/10
AVERAGE: 6,42
A good spy series which is carried by a wonderful cast and an above average script.
Director: Morten Tyldum
Screenplay: Carlton Cuse & Graham Roland
Cast: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Abbie Cornish, Ali Suliman, Dina Shihabi, John Hoogenakker, Noomi Rapace, Jordi Mollà, Francisco Denis, Cristina Umaña, Jovan Adepo, Michael Kelly
Soundtrack: Ramin Djawadi
Running Time: 50 min.
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