5 Reasons Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Isn't Just The Usual January Trash
2. One Of Cinemas Dumbest Villains
For the most part it sounds like Kenneth Branagh made an entertaining romp worthy of wasting two good hours. His biggest misstep isnt necessarily casting himself as Russian terrorist Viktor Cheverin, but portraying himself as such a stereotypical and unbelievably moronic antagonist. A war veteran and wealthy Russian businessman who is planning a devastating attack on American soil is momentarily foiled none other than by the enchanting good looks of women, more specifically Jack Ryans wife. Its completely silly plot threads like this that drag the film down from believable Cold War reminiscent thriller to a Looney Tunes cartoon. This isnt Viktors only stupid decision by the way; hes full of them as the entire dinner scene paints him as a buffoon. Its not solely because hes being courted by an attractive woman either, you just have to believe me when I say all other Russian terrorists should feel insulted at the conception of this dimwitted counterpart. On the bright side, his acting is pretty menacing, so hes got something going for him.
