Stunts and Effects: 70%
Logic: 45%
Soundtrack: 65%
TnA: 70%
Cognitive Decline of Audience: 20%
Overall Inches on the Action Erection Scale: 6 out of 12
Directed by Ralph McQuarrie, Jack Reacher is based on a series of books about a former military police officer known for cracking uncrackable cases.
In his first cinematic mystery, Reacher (whose exploits are more John Grisham than Robert Ludlum) is called upon to clear the name of James Barr, an ex-military sniper. Barr is accused of gunning down several civilians in a supposed fit of PTSD. The facts don't line up and Barr has a violent history working against him --- a military homicide that Jack Reacher managed to acquit him of despite Barr's undeniable guilt.
Rosamund Pike's breast should've have been in 48 fps. |
Cruise can do his arrogant swagger for the girls all he wants --- the real star of Jack Reacher is director Christopher McQuarrie. McQuarrie was the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind The Usual Suspects, as well as several other Bryan Singer projects. He also tends to travel in the same filmography circles as Cruise, making Jack Reacher sound more and more like a star vehicle than a loyal adaptation.
Personally, I've never read the books (apparently, the author describes Reacher as a 6-foot, blonde vet), but it's painfully obvious that director McQuarrie could have a birthed a potential new franchise if not for the miscasting of it's lead actor. Tom Cruise's seems to hold back the talents of McQuarrie and Jack Reacher, sandbagging the film for the sake of vanity.
Like all your favorite action heroes of yesterday, Tom Cruise might be hitting that inevitable part of his career where he runs the risk of over-staying his welcome. For fans of this particular series novels, that moment might be now.
Oh, and P.S...
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