Jack Reacher (Movie Review)

Rating:

It is not the right time for ‘Jack Reacher’ to be opening nationwide because of its thematic material and unfortunate similarities to the current events that happened in Newtown, Connecticut. There are plenty of scenes that are hard to watch because they will easily remind you of everything that we are seeing and hearing about that tragedy (there’s even a character named Sandy) and if you can’t get pass that, then it’s better to skip this film. On the other hand if you are able to see past the terrible coincidences this is an action movie that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) is an ex military policeman who’s gone off the grid and decides to come out of the shadows after a sniper terrorizes a city. Policemen, Rodin (Richard Jenkins) and Emerson (David Oyelowo) are ready to convict the assassin, but a well to do lawyer, Helen (Rosamund Pike) believes in fair trials and she recruits Reacher to help her solve the case. As a trained professional Reacher believes there might be more than meets the eye.

I thought the movie was going to be very ‘Mission Impossible’, but it was more like ‘The Bourne Identity’. The beginning is a little slow, but shocking; again because of what we’ve lived through recently. The movie is based on a book by Lee Child who’s written a series with Jack Reacher as his protagonist, perhaps this will turn into a franchise like ‘Bourne’; at the moment is hard to say, but I sure wouldn’t mind. The fights are great, especially because Reacher has no boundaries and there’s even comedy involved in the violence. The conspiracy theories keep spiking your curiosity throughout the movie and string you along all the way to the end.

The movie isn’t perfect, there are some things that don’t quite add up and there are gaps in the story. The main villain The Zec (Werner Herzog)is creepy all around, but he looked too feeble to be that threatening. Some of the other bad guys are such muscle heads that it’s hilariously ridiculous. There’s so much sexual tension throughout the film, that it’s a little distracting.

Cruise reminds us once more why he’s an action icon, he carries out his scenes with perfection. Pike gives a nice contrast to Cruise’s character as well as the rest of the film and she’s able to hold her own. Oyelowo has a couple of scenes that are all just body language and he’s great in these. Robert Duvall is brilliant, and gives us more of that interesting humor composed in this movie.

For anyone that likes action movies this is definitely one to watch, because the fights, surprising comedy, mystery and car chase that keep you glued to the screen. I do hope everyone that goes to see this film knows exactly what it entails, because many people might not be ready to experience this movie right now. For those that feel ready and can enjoy this fictional but realistic story you are in for a treat.

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