Mini Review
Jack Reacher is a film based on a series of books, about a former Army Major who is now a drifter and investigator. He's called in to investigate when a military sniper apparently kills five people in a random shooting.
I wasn't sure that I particularly wanted to see Jack Reacher but I wanted to catch up on films I'd missed over Christmas, and this was one of the few that was still in cinemas. I'm not a huge fan of Tom Cruise but having his name attached to a film doesn't put me off either. I would usually only go out of my way to see a Cruise film if there was another person of interest involved. I think that's why I hesitated over Jack Reacher as I'm not exactly a fan of anyone else in the film.
Having said that, the film did keep me interested for the most part, the only times I waivered slightly were during the overlong car chase and the ending. I can't comment on the casting of Cruise as I haven't read the Jack Reacher novels, although I am familiar with the fact that he's not exactly the kind of actor fans would have expected to be cast in the role. For me, he did a fine job in the movie, exuding charisma and likability under that mask of mystery. Pike and Jenkins were also fine support. If anything it's the characters themselves that were the problem as only Reacher seemed to have any real depth or something different about him. Everyone else seemed to be very much a caricature and that made it hard to take them seriously.
The stunts weren't as flashy as we've come to expect from Cruise but the fight work was impressive. I just came away from Jack Reacher without any real feeling for the film either way. I didn't regret my two hours in the cinema, but at the same time I did think they could have been better spent. And it's certainly not a film that I will rush to see again.
If you're a fan of Cruise it's a must, if you like the books then I'd see it just so you know what all the fuss is about. For everyone else I'd say it's just okay. 6 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 9th January 2013
UK Release Date - 26th December 2012
Cast Overview:
Tom Cruise ~ Jack Reacher
Rosamund Pike ~ Helen Rodin
Richard Jenkins ~ Rodin
David Oyelowo ~ Emerson
Werner Herzog ~ The Zec
Jai Courtney ~ Charlie
Joseph Sikora ~ Barr
Robert Duvall ~ Cash
Director ~ Christopher McQuarrie
Writer(s) ~ Christopher McQuarrie (Screenplay) and Lee Child (Book)
