Jack Reacher Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: An ex-military cop and a defense attorney must uncover whether a mass shooting was used to mask a calculated assassination.

Review: Well, Tommy boy, you've done it again. I don't care if Tom Cruise is secretly gay, in a cult, an alien, or some combination thereof, you have to admit he's one of the greatest actors of all time. As always, Mr. Cruise brings his A-game as the titular character and manages to successfully pull off a role he really shouldn't be playing. For those unaware, and god knows I hadn't a clue, Jack Reacher is the main character in a series of books, of which, this film is based around the ninth entry. I haven't read the book, but, based on the synopsis on trusty wikipedia, it would appear this was a faithful adaptation in light of some changes. Obviously the biggest change would be in Reacher's appearance that looks nothing like Mr. Cruise; Reacher is supposed to be a big and bulky brawler. This would probably bother me more if it weren't Tommy boy taking up the mantle. Setting that issue aside for a second, the movie as a whole is good with the right levels of intrigue, but the resolution feels rushed and lackluster; there was something missing that I can't quite describe.

The mystery of the film is that someone uses a sniper rifle to blow away five people, but unbeknownst to everyone is that the mass shooting is meant to hide the assassination of one of those individuals. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to make it hard to guess who the intended target really was, but it's not. The assassin then sets up a known lunatic, James Barr, for the fall who is conveniently put in a coma shortly after asking for Reacher to help him. It would turn out that Reacher, an ex-military police officer, and all around badass, had tried to prosecute Barr for a similar mass shooting while in the military but he got off due to a technicality. With the evidence overwhelmingly against Barr, it is only his defense attorney, Helen, that wants to know the truth. Reacher doesn't want to get involved, but of course he does anyway! I have to say, Reacher is a great character. Besides being really smart and tough, he lives the lifestyle befitting of a superhero--traveling as a vagrant across the USA. Sigh...my ideal life. The character appears as a faithful representation of the book, but I think they added this whole pretty boy angle that only Mr. Cruise could adequately portray; I don't know if that was one of Reacher's original traits. Thankfully they didn't have Reacher and Helen getting together even though you think they will; good to know they didn't cave in to Hollywood cliches. Anyway, it doesn't take too long for Reacher to realize another player was involved in the shooting due to the sheer ridiculous nature of the evidence being too perfect and the scenario being inconsistent to a marksman's strategy. Reacher is especially convinced Barr is a patsy when he ends up fighting a bunch of flunkies meant to look like a common bar brawl; this was by far the best moment of the film and funny as hell. Unfortunately the villain, simply known as Zec, is severely underdeveloped and his plotline goes nowhere. It's sad too because Zec's introduction makes him seem deadly and ruthless, and you expect more from him that is never delivered. The entire reason for the film's shenanigans is because Zec and his flunkies run a shady business and were mad that a local contractor wouldn't sell her company. Man, for this elaborate of a setup and assassination that's a weak excuse. And, although one of Zec's henchmen puts up a good fight, the rest die no problem and Zec puts up absolutely no fight at all before Reacher kills him. The film ends with Reacher going back to his vagrant ways while Barr's innocence is implied to be all but ensured.

I'm not going to lie, this movie surprised me with how entertaining it was; I thought this looked stupid by the trailers. The action is fantastic, the mystery is engaging, and of course Tommy boy makes it all work somehow with that smug smile. This is a solid action/thriller leaving me wanting more from Reacher. However, there are many aspects that hinder what could have been a must-see film. Like I mentioned, the villain's plan is overly complicated and over the top considering how little was meant to be accomplished; I mean, hell, he had a plant as the detective investigating Barr's case even! There were wasted opportunities and ideas that could have been implemented better. And finally the final battle leaves much to be desired with Zec giving up like a bitch. Regardless of these flaws, I do still recommend you check this one out since this seems like perfect rental material.

Notable Moment: When Reacher talks to Sandy and her "brothers." The banter is wonderful and Reacher beating the asses out of those bitches was a thing of beauty.

Final Rating: 7/10