Entertainment : In Depth: Jack Ryan

Jack Ryan is back! Playing the Palace Friday, February 7 through Thursday, February 13 at 7 pm, and Monday, February 10 at 2 pm, “The Shadow Recruit” runs a fast-paced 105 minutes, and is rated PG-13 for action violence.

Lest you forget, we first met Jack via Alec Baldwin in “The Hunt for Red October.” The financial analyst-turned-bad ass was then played by Harrison Ford, in “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” Finally, Ben Affleck brought the Tom Clancy favorite to life in “Sum of All Fears.”

This time, more than a decade since Jack’s last big screen foray, we get Chris Pine (Captain James Kirk in the good Star Wars movies)! Mr. Pine headlines this film, expertly supported by Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, and Kenneth Branagh, who directs “Jack Ryan” as well.

In this original Jack Ryan story, set in modern day Afghanistan and the CIA, our hero battles a Russian plot to collapse the US economy. The script was written in part by Ryan creator Tom Clancy, so should be faithful to the beloved character.

We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Palace with your squirrely kids (“The Nut Job”), so surprise your Valentine a week early! A global action thriller with a bit of romance = date night, if you spring for Milk Duds, Red Rageous Mike and Ikes, or Hot Tamales!