Jack Ryan Amazon Video Review: A Thrilling Series That Exceeds Expectations

In popular culture, a handful of characters carry entire franchises. Some are so well written, so enduring, they become part of the fabric of American storytelling. For me, that character has always been Jack Ryan.

I was introduced to Ryan through the movies—The Hunt for Red October starring Alec Baldwin, and then Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, both starring Harrison Ford. I couldn’t tell you when I realized they were all the same character. I just knew I could watch those films over and over and still find something new. My favorites, in order: Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, The Hunt for Red October, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, and The Sum of All Fears.

But when Amazon released its Jack Ryan series starring John Krasinski—and especially now, having just finished the series finale—I can say confidently: Krasinski gives the best portrayal of Jack Ryan I’ve seen. He captures both the accuracy of the character and the depth of the man. Harrison Ford is a close second, though he feels like a later-career Ryan. Chris Pine made for an admirable young version, but Shadow Recruit leaned too heavily on action and missed Ryan’s ferocity in a hearing room. Baldwin, despite making a great film, couldn’t nail the character. I’d wager he didn’t read a single book. And Affleck—The Sum of All Fears was a mess, and the performance never had a chance.

The final two episodes of Season Four dropped today. The show has been releasing episodes every Thursday for the past three weeks. And it’s phenomenal. Krasinski has done great work since The Office, but his portrayal of Jack Ryan is the one that will stay with me. Each season has been smart, thrilling, and sometimes pleasantly complex. The writing is sharp. The casting is nearly perfect. I like Wendell Pierce, but I’ve always felt he was miscast as James Greer. Greer should carry more depth than Pierce can reach. That was easier to ignore early on, but it’s more noticeable in Season Four.

Season One introduced Ryan as an analyst chasing a financial genius whose motives were personal, not religious. It established Ryan’s character as someone who uses logic to validate instinct—a trait that deepens across the series and sets it apart from the films.

Season Two follows Ryan as he unravels the greed of a Venezuelan dictator. It begins to build the cohesion of Ryan’s team, showing how each member plays a role in decoding the alarm bells Ryan’s instincts are trying to interpret.

Season Three is a Cold War throwback—Russian war games revived by old-school radicals. It’s fast, tight, and fun to watch as Ryan and his team piece it together without a moment to lose. It might be my favorite season (though I’m still processing Season Four).

Season Four, the final season, centers on dismantling an open trade route into the U.S. via Burmese terrorists and Mexican cartels. The complexity unfolds episode by episode, and it’s just a lot of fun to watch.

I’ve watched each season at least twice. Aside from my issue with Greer’s casting, my biggest complaint is that there are only four seasons. The show could easily carry two more. The potential is there. Unless everyone dies at the end of Season Four—a possibility I’m not ready to discount.

I’m also disappointed that Season Four only has six episodes. There’s enough story for seven, maybe eight. Episode Five felt rushed. It could’ve been paced better. Still, the worst thing I can say about Jack Ryan on Amazon is: “Well done.”

It’s a must-watch. Even if you have no interest in Amazon Video, or a deep-rooted hostility toward Amazon itself, you can ignore that for four seasons. I’m sure.

Sometime this year, I’ll binge Season Four again. The next time I have seven hours to kill.

John Krasinski, is in the process of producing a feature film based on his Jack Ryan character. I haven't been to a movie in the theatre since The Batman. I'll be at the opening of Krasinski Jack Ryan feature film.