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Jack Reacher (2012)



Jack Reacher (2012)



6/10



Starring
Tom Cruise
Rosamund Pike
Richard Jenkins
Werner Herzog


Directed by Christopher McQuarrie


Jack Reacher’s portrayal by Tom Cruise is one some say doesn’t live up to the standard of the character Lee Child created in his books. In my opinion, even though I haven’t read any of the books, Cruise may not be as tall or as built as the character in the books, but he did a fine job. In fact, after watching the movie, I started craving the books.

The movie may not be a classic or anywhere near Cruise’s Mission: Impossible films, but it’s a good action movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you desperately wait to see how Jack Reacher figures out that James Barr (Joseph Sikora) is innocent. Although Reacher initially doesn’t want to help, his Sherlock Holmes-like curiosity gets the better of him.


The movie is based on one of the many Jack Reacher books by Lee Child. This action thriller is an adaptation of One Shot, the ninth book in the Jack Reacher series. The story is set in a city where a sniper randomly shoots five people. A man named James Barr is caught and accused of the crime, with all evidence pointing to his guilt. The only thing Barr says is, “Get Jack Reacher.” Reacher is a former United States Army Military Police Corps Major and a former member of the military police unit, which handles cases involving U.S. Army Special Forces.

Reacher sees Barr on TV and shows up before the D.A. can even start looking for him. The D.A. initially thinks Reacher is a friend of Barr but later discovers that Reacher actually came to bury him. However, as Reacher joins the investigation, he realizes Barr may be innocent—and only he can prove it.

The annoying thing I had to witness in the movie is the old-school trope where the hero drops his weapon and decides to fight the villain hand-to-hand. It’s so outdated and frustrating—I don’t know why it was included. Everyone in the movie was impressive, except for the main antagonist, an old man whose presence was so forgettable you wouldn’t miss him.

The inclusion of Robert Duvall in the cast is a welcome addition. Director Christopher McQuarrie (who won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the classic The Usual Suspects (1995)) did a good job with the movie’s direction. You’ll be left in the dark and thrilled as things unfold, but then annoyed when Reacher drops his gun to go hand-to-hand. For McQuarrie, I give a 6/10.

Jack Reacher is a nice movie to see when you get the chance.



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