Today’s quick review: Jack Reacher. When a gunman kills five innocent people in Pittsburgh, all the evidence points to James Mark Barr (Joseph Sikora), a discharged Army sniper with a history of violence. At Barr’s request, Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), his defense attorney, recruits Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise), a nomadic veteran, to investigate the killings. As Jack digs deeper, he uncovers an unlikely truth: that Barr has been framed.
Jack Reacher is an action thriller based on the series of novels by Lee Child. Jack Reacher blends an unusually well-crafted plot with a healthy serving of action. Reacher’s winding investigation into the shooting shows more thought than the usual popcorn action plot, and the twists that unfold along the way are usually interesting and worthwhile. Not every step of the investigation is a winner, but enough of them are to make the story feel engaging.
Reacher himself makes for an excellent protagonist, ably played by Tom Cruise. The role lacks the twinkle of humor found in Cruise’s Mission: Impossible series, but Reacher’s sharp mind, dominant personality, and unusual, off-the-grid lifestyle make him perfect action movie fodder. His main ally is Helen Rodin, a determined attorney who handles the conventional side of the investigation. She makes a good complement to Reacher, skeptical yet competent.
Jack Reacher does have a few weak points. The legally-minded, procedural logic of the investigation begins to fall apart as the movie gets pushed farther and farther into action territory. The action sequences themselves are generally quite good, tight displays of Reacher’s combat prowess, but the finale lacks the precision of the earlier scenes. The movie also lacks a memorable villain; the frame is more interesting than the people and reasons behind it.
Give Jack Reacher a shot if you are in the mood for a competent, entertaining action movie. Though it doesn’t break the mold, Jack Reacher’s strong plot and solid execution are enough to distinguish it in a crowded field. Skip it if you are looking for a more extreme action movie, an action comedy, or a full-blown mystery. For a similar caliber of action thriller with a more desperate protagonist, check out Shooter.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a likable hero, an interesting plot, and all-around solid execution.