Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit!!!!

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

When it comes to the all out action films their are certain "go to" franchises, James Bond and The Bourne films are two franchises that people love to watch. But this time round the Tom Clanct based character gets re-boot after a few years off and with a new leading man in the form of Star Trek's Captain James T Kirk, Chris Pine.

Set in present day we see a student Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) at the London School of Economics, deciding to join Marine's he is posted in Afghanistan. Injured by a helicopter crash he is told he won't be able to go back, meeting Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley) during rehab he strikes up a relationship with her. He also meets and speaks with William Harper (Kevin Costner) who is never revealed as a CIA agent but he recruits Ryan. Fast forward ten years and Ryan is working as an undercover CIA agent on Wall Street investigating dodgy transactions of company's. 

Soon coming across Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh) who's company has come up in his investigation, turning up for an audit of the company Ryan is soon put in danger having to kill a man for the first time. Meeting up with Harper he is told he is now operational and is handed a gun to protect and defend himself. Working out what Cherevin is up to it is a race against time to stop something disastrous taking place back home in the United States but will he save the citizens of the US and stop Cherevin?

For a new launch to the Jack Ryan world it is a pretty good start, learning about where he came from and what he has been through you can tell they're expecting to get a good few films out of it. Chris Pine as Ryan was a good choice he is memorable from his Star Trek films and a fresh new young face to throw into the world of action movies as well. Branagh can definitely do an impressive Russian accent, Knightley brings in another dynamic of Ryan having a wife and brings out a more softer side of his personality.

The storyline itself at times can get complicated and if you were to miss even fifteen minutes you'll feel a little bit lost. For a story set about the Russian situation and how a business owner can threaten to cause mass chaos in the US it can be seen as little far fetched and spirals a little too quickly.

Obviously the script and the actors are utilised well but it can not really stand up to the Bourne or Bond films, with a few little tweaks here and there and a much stronger script it could really set itself apart from the rest.

7/10.

This Is The End!!!!

This Is The End.

When american comdys come to our screens we expect them to either be funny or just downright stupid and pointless to the point it's funny because it's so awful. But luckily for This Is The End it turns out that this is a comedy that at times balances itself rather nicely between the two. 

A parody of the Hollywood actors lifestyle we at first see Seth Rogen playing himself waiting at the airport for his friend Jay Baruchel who has flown in to spend some time with him playing video games, smoking drugs, drinking and having a good time. With Rogen suggesting they go to James Franco's new house for a party the guys head off for the celebrity filled party to party all night and have a good time. Arriving at the party the other main characters of the film arrive, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and a late riser Danny McBride all join the group. 

With other celebs thrown into the mix, a rather coked up Michael Cera who slaps Rihanna's arse, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Christoph Mintz-Plasse, Mindy Kaling and the British beauty Emma Watson. It is a massive mix of other comedy style actors who if only to be on screen for a few minutes to be killed off is a nice addition. 

As a massive earthquake takes place and beams of light strike the ground and take people up to the clouds above the group try to work out what has happened. Theories of a zombie apocalypse, the apocalypse and the four horseman, an alien invasion and the end of the world all ideas are thrown out there. Trying to survive on the little food they have they venture outside James Francos house to find other people, food and water to survive but soon enough they have to leave and see what really has happened to the world. 

As the group venture outside all manner of stupid things happen to the group as one by one they all find their way to escape the destruction of Earth. As giant monsters with massive dicks are shown on screen, demon possession, to the end credits of the group dancing with a well known US boy band the film has everything, laughs, WTF moments and utterly stupid moments as well. 

A great comedy film that looks at what celebrity's in Hollywood would do if faced with the end of the world and the comedic things they would get up to. With plenty of comedic actors making their appearance in the film it utilises them all and I have to say Michael Cera even if he's not a main character is just hilarious and has some stand out scenes at the start of the film. Directed by Seth Rogen you can see he had some major input into the film and definitely brought out the best in all the actors involved. 

For anyone who liked Pineapple Express, Superbad, Hot Tub Time Machine, Knocked Up or any major comedy release film starring any of the actors mentioned then you will truly love this film.

6/10.