Cinema Review: Jack Reacher

Director Christopher McQuarrieStarring Tom Cruise, Rosamunde Pike, Werner Herzog, Robert Duvall,

Jack Reacher is the latest offering from Actor/Producer Tom Cruise. Jack Reacher will be a familiar name to the legion of devoted fans who have grown fond of Lee Childs hard as nails former military investigator over his seventeen various literary episodes (and counting). The casting of Cruise provoked much ire among the diehard fans of these ripping airport thrillers; especially when it came to their beloved Reacherss vital statistics which readers are reminded of before the beginning of every novel. The character of Reacher is 6ft. 5 and weights 250 lbs. Tom Cruise is more like 5 ft. 6 and maybe 160 pounds. Such nitpicking by fans is completely unnecessary and one is reminded of a similar situation when Anne Rice revealed her initial disappointment with the casting of Cruise as Lestat in Interview With The Vampire. What Cruise lacks in height and bulk, he more than compensates for in charisma and star wattage.The film begins with a gripping shooting filmed from the point of view of a sniper rifle lens. A former soldier is then framed for the shooting and he asks for Mr. Reacher to come to his assistance. Low and behold, the almost tramp-like Reacher, who revels in wearing the same clothes all the time, arrives to assist the investigation and unravel the mystery with his unique set of skills.The film has the feel of a 1970s gritty thriller, very much in the vein of Dirty Harry. The music is also indicative of a bygone era and complements the intermittent and well played action.The film ! is directed by Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie who wrote the excellent The Usual Suspects and worked with Cruise previously on the slightly mediocre Valkyrie. This is his second feature as director after the poorly received The Way Of The Gun failed to set the box-office alight. His handling of the action shows a steady maturity as a filmmaker. McQuarrie has always been great at dialogue and there are plenty of decent one-liners and memorable quotes to keep the audience involved. There are probably some scenes that go on for longer than they should. Rosamunde Pikes attorney character is annoying and she becomes overly melodramatic when she reverts to damsel in distress mode towards the finale.Despite being a mystery/thriller, there are moments that are laugh-out-loud funny. The bathroom fight scene is hilarious, whether it was intentionally funny or otherwise. The great German director Werner Herzog ratchets up the quality of the film a number of notches with his extended cameo performance as the films main villain. He hisses his dialogue with chilling menace and you will recall his presence long after the film has ended.Cruise is convincing as Reacher. He handles the action well and he delivers pithy dialogue with conviction. The Bullitt inspired car chase midway through the film is one of a number of highlights. It is refreshing to see Cruise actually driving accompanied only by the sound of a roaring detroit musclecar engine. Robert Duvall appears and lends the film a welcome sense of gravitas.Overall, Jack Reacher is an enjoyable romp of a mystery/thriller that contains an unexpected amount of laughs. It may not be long before Tom Cruise conjures up another instalment in what should become a movie franchise.

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