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Plot Summary
One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The man's interrogation yields one statement: Get Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise). Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney (Rosamund Pike). However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. (1)
Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs!
Jack Reacher (2012) is based on the novels by Lee Child. Now I have not read the book series but from what I have read the film is not accurately based off the book. According to those who have read the books, Tom Cruise (The Mummy) does not fit the role in terms of appearances, who in the books stands at 6’5 and weighs 250 lbs. Obviously, Cruise does not fit this criterion, so fans probably wish that the role was given to someone like Hugh Jackman, Chris Evans or the appearance someone new to film. I honestly do not care in this regard because I have never read the books so I don’t have a deep connection or admiration for the characters like the book fans do. It becomes clear early on that Jack Reacher’s outer appearance is basic in comparison to his intellect and it is interesting to see throughout the film. Also since they decided to go with someone of high movie standing (or of big recognition) like Tom Cruise the production team were given the leniency to make some changes. And in doing so they were able to focus more of character development and occasional brutal violence while focusing less on senseless action and impractical drivel.
Jack Reacher is not Mission: Impossible or 007. According to writer/director Christopher McQuarrie (Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Edge of Tomorrow), he takes his inspiration from action movies of the late 60s/early 70s; films such as Dirty Harry (1971), Bullitt (1968), and Charley Varrick (1973). What I like most is that the excitement does not rely upon over the top stunt work and/or huge explosions. Instead, audiences have the opportunity to enjoy watching a well-defined protagonist outsmart, outfight, and outmaneuver the antagonists. The film is overall a great piece of entertainment that combines great action and interesting mystery, taking hold of your focus with its storytelling and action sequences. It is possible that the film could have been much better but still, it is a pretty awesome film. The film starts off with a scene that sets as the basis for the entire film and it effectively builds the tension with very little sound. The rest of the film gradually builds throughout and the final showdown is intense. One aspect or theme of the film that I enjoyed was that the film touched on several real-world issues of significance: the political debates on gun control and legal representation for terrorists, the politics surrounding the actions of military personnel overseas, and the corrupt political-industrial connection. It does so with class and remains a bit unbiased without taking sides. Jack Reacher is a solid film despite not being totally accurate to the books.
While it's understandable book fans might be disappointed that Tom Cruise looks nothing like Jack Reacher I find that the biggest problem in this film is that it feels like Tom Cruise is just reiterating his generic action-hero role. Jack Reacher is an ex-MP detective and after a lifetime spent in the military, he decides to live in the United States as a drifter that adheres to a life of zero commitments: No house, no job, no car, no possessions, and no family. Now I do enjoy a lot of the films Cruise has been in and I his characters are pretty great but I do not feel like he added anything new to this role; there wasn’t much of a difference to this role and his role in Mission Impossible or Knight and Day. Despite this setback, I find that the rest of the cast is pretty great, Rosamund Pikes (Gone Girl and Pride and Prejudice) complements his character great.
Overall, Jack Reacher is an intelligent and intricate film that balances action and mystery while touching on some real-world issues without takings sides. The only disappointment that I have is the use of Tom Cruise as the protagonist, not in appearances but I wish he would have done more than his typical action ‘hero’ swagger. Although he has charisma and great chemistry with Pikes character, that’s not relatively new in comparison to past roles. But all in all, Jack Reacher was a very satisfying action thriller for me and I believe that if you watch the movie with the intent of simply enjoying it then I think you will come to the same conclusion as me. Jack Reacher isn't meant to be a revolutionary film, first of its kind but rather it is just an action thriller based on old action films.
“There's this guy. He's a kind of cop, at least he used to be. He doesn't care about proof, he doesn't care about the law, he only cares about what's right. He knows what I did. You can't protect me. No one can”
- James Barr
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 3.9 of 5 star
Worth Buying: 3. 9 of 5 stars
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Movies Similar
3 Days to Kill (2014)
The Accountant (2016)
Collied (2016)
The Equalizer (2014)
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
John Wick (2014)
John Wick 2 (2017)
Knight & Day (2010)
Taken (2009)
Taken 2 (2012)
Taken 3 (2015)
Transporter (2002)
Transporter 2 (2005)
Transporter 3 (2008)
Transporter 4: Refuled (2015)
Cast & Crew
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Writing Credits Lee Child and Christopher McQuarrie
Produced by
Tom Cruise --- Producer
David Ellison --- executive producer
Dana Goldberg --- executive producer
Don Granger --- Producer
Ken Kamins --- executive producer
Cliff Lanning --- associate producer
Gary Levinsohn --- Producer
Kevin J. Messick --- executive producer (as Kevin Messick)
Jake Myers --- executive producer
Paul Schwake --- executive producer
Paula Wagner --- Producer
Music by Joe Kraemer
Cinematography by Caleb Deschanel
Film Editing by Kevin Stitt
Casting By Mindy Marin
Production Design by James D. Bissell
Art Direction by Christa Munro and Gregory A. Weimerskirch
Set Decoration by Douglas A. Mowat
Costume Design by Susan Matheson
Cast:
Tom Cruise --- Reacher
Rosamund Pike --- Helen
Richard Jenkins --- Rodin
David Oyelowo --- Emerson
Werner Herzog --- The Zec
Jai Courtney --- Charlie
Vladimir Sizov --- Vlad
Joseph Sikora --- Barr
Michael Raymond-James --- Linsky
Alexia Fast --- Sandy
Josh Helman --- Jeb
Robert Duvall --- Cash
James Martin Kelly --- Rob Farrior
Dylan Kussman --- Gary
Denver Milord --- Punk
Susan Angelo --- Oline Archer
Julia Yorks --- Chrissie Farrior
Nicole Forester --- Nancy Holt
Delilah Picart --- Rita Coronado
Joe Coyle --- Darren Sawyer
Alicia Murton --- Mrs. Sawyer
Peter Gannon --- Mr. Archer
David Whalen --- Mr. Holt
Tristan Elma --- Marcos Coronado
Sophie Guest --- Little Girl
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