Adapted from the popular series of Lee Child thriller novels (specifically 2005’s One Shot), Jack Reacher follows a drifter who investigates a murder that is not as it seems. That sounds fairly straightforward, yet the plot becomes increasingly convoluted and confusing that it becomes hard to keep up. Whilst Cruise’s performance will entertain and distract the audience from this, it still becomes frustrating as one tries to piece together the events. Important plot points feel rushed over and the audience is left stranded.
Tom Cruise offers a compelling performance (armed with many quotable one-liners) as the titular Jack Reacher, maintaining a perfect balance of awesome strength and veteran world-weariness. His performance carries forward what is mostly a fairly average action thriller; employing wit and charisma that makes him seem more like ‘Dirty’ Harry Callahan than The Man with No Name. But whilst Jack Reacher doesn’t make the perfect ghost, he does make an absolutely fantastic anti-hero, marking one of Cruise’s top roles of the last few years.
The intelligent yet overly complex writing leaves something to be desired. For example, the Zec’s inclusion feels almost redundant. Whilst Werner Herzog gives a deliciously dark portrayal of a villain (appearing exactly as you would expect him to, if you’re familiar with his works), particularly in a scene in which he tests someone’s will to survive (take note, Jigsaw); he is underused and contributes little to the story as a whole. A shame, considering how terrifying he is. Similarly, the consistently impressive Richard Jenkins is almost entirely ignored. The ever-brilliant Robert Duvall (of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now) gives an entertaining performance as gun range owner Cash, supporting Cruise well (particularly in the film’s final scenes). But the remaining cast – Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Jai Courtney and co. give passable yet vapid depictions of their characters, which leaves us little emotional connection to the small amount of plotline we can grasp.
Jack Reacher consists of some really intriguing and enthralling moments that are married with some fantastic cinematography – including a sniper sequence seen through the scope of the killer and a car chase that proves that not all action heroes are perfect drivers (seeing some of Reacher’s weaknesses makes him all the more believable a character). Joe Kraemer’s score (composed of strong brass and string sequences which seasoned gamers may feel strongly resembles Normand Corbeil’s soundtrack to Heavy Rain, the tones giving certain scenes in this crime thriller an edge of noir) enhances these moments, making them seem all the more engaging. Unfortunately these are partnered with some very empty dialogue scenes and lacklustre fighting sequences, dragging down what could’ve been a really fantastic movie to just yet another crime-action flick. It’s by no means a bad movie, but it’s certainly not very memorable. Yet Cruise continues to prove after the impressive Mission Impossible 4 that he still has what it takes to be an action hero, and we can only look forward to his next enthralling adventure.