Film
“Jack Reacher” Exciting, Action-Packed
By LaDale Anderson
Dec 19, 2012 - 8:50:19 PM

HOLLYWOOD—Tom Cruise is the quintessential action star. Rarely does the actor star in a picture with so much intensity, explosions and high-octane stunts fail to deliver.  His latest role comes directly from the books in the film “Jack Reacher” which chronicles the mission of Jack, a former Army Military Police Officer who has some nifty fighting skills to say the least.

The plot of the movie follows Reacher attempting to locate the sniper who murdered five people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In Reacher’s attempt to locate the real culprit, he finds himself a target of a lethal Russian mobster known as “the zec” portrayed by Werner Herzog.  Is the picture an original piece of work? No, but the cat-and-mouse game that takes place throughout the picture is precisely what most action pictures consist of.  Name one action-flick where there is not a cat-and mouse game taking place, there isn’t one.

Tom Cruise in "Jack Reacher."

Cruise’s portrayal of the title character is one-dimensional; he’s a no nonsense guy.  He’s not looking to make friends or carry conversations with everyday people.  He’s on a mission and rarely allows his emotions to get the best of him.  Rosamund Pike portrays Helen, a district attorney who attempts to work alongside Jack.  She’s more of the pretty face in the movie without much layer to her character.   

In the book Reacher is depicted as a character standing a little over six-feet tall, whereas in the movie, he’s just a few inches over five-feet.  Fans of the book series may be disappointed with that facet that has been altered, but for those who haven’t read the books won’t be aware of the difference.  High-speed chases, intricate fight sequences, loads of gunfire, high-octane explosions and some stellar stunts complete the picture.

“Jack Reacher” isn’t the original piece of artwork that all wants it to be, but it’s an effective slam-bang adrenaline rush, that every guy will love during the holidays.