Rent Jack Reacher (2012)

Solidly Entertaining Action Thriller - Jack Reacher review by GI

This tightly written and directed film has gained an unfair reputation. It's a highly entertaining action thriller with a great mystery at the centre of the narrative, a wonderfully conceived central character and a plot that rattles along at a great pace. Tom Cruise may not fit the description of the character as portrayed in the potboiler book series but who cares. He's a mean and moody Jack Reacher, he fits the role as the anonymous drifter who takes interest in events where he chooses whereas the literary Reacher stands out like a sore thumb. In any case this is an arbitrary argument. The film can be judged on it's own merits. The story is a fairly straight forward thriller narrative. Five random people are gunned down by an apparently random sniper and the police quickly identify the suspect from masses of evidence found at the scene. He's a disaffected former soldier with mental health issues. The DA thinks he has a cast iron case until former Army investigator Reacher shows up to muddy the waters. There's the great cast; Rosamund Pike as a lawyer whose relationship with Reacher almost bubbles over into romance or at least sex but is neatly restrained and carried brilliantly by the two actors. Then there's Richard Jenkins, David Oleweyo, Robert Duvall and finally Werner Herzog who brings a Bondian baddie to the story, a first class piece of casting. Admittedly there's flaws, as usual Jai Courtney as a heavy is one dimensional and there's a few plot holes but overall this is a superb thriller, a great central car chase, some brutal violence and plot twists to keep the viewer interested. If you dismissed this the first time then give it another chance. Great fun.

An excellent, brilliantly written thriller, with genuinely good twists & performances - Jack Reacher review by TB

I knew nothing of the Jack Reacher series before seeing these films. I had read the good reviews, as well as the backlash from the fan base over the casting of Tom Cruise, but after witnessing the same thing with Daniel Craig over him being “too blonde” to play Bond, I never pay any attention to this these complaints. 

The film itself is really good. The opening in particular sets the tone horrifyingly well, watching a sniper pull up & just shoot into a crowd of people, with no music track, just the echoing of gunshots and screams. Reacher, having been keeping a profile so low not even law enforcement are able to track him down, resurfaces as he has his own reasons to become involved. Partnering up with Rosamund Pike’s lawyer, he discovers a set-up involving agencies across the legal system. 

The script, story, locations & performances are all great, none more so than Werner Herzog. Although normally a director, he had done some acting previously & wanted to do another film. As weird as it may sound, he is incredible, but is not much different from the Herzog we all know and love. But he is unbelievably creepy & the film benefitted massively from his in its cast. 

A great film & compelling watch. There is a sequel which is not as good as this movie, but still a good watch if you enjoyed this.