Review of Jack Reacher (2012) by Joanna B — 24 Oct 2016

In addition to having regrettably pre-chosen the week of the Sandy Hook murders to release a tactless film about an indiscriminate rampaging gunman, director Christopher McQuarrie adaptation of Lee Child's novel 'One Shot' (the ninth book of his best-selling suspense series) simply pales in comparison to its inspiration.

Like a jigsaw, the books twisted pieces fit together to complete a perfect image and are perfectly measured fodder for their target reader as guilty-pleasure throw-away airport material. The film however, is a jostle mess of bad scripting, uneven acting, incomplete action sequences and a lack of direction. Failing on its attempt of a B-movie with crime vibe, it suffers from the limiting PG-13 rating and would barely hold attention as dreadful inflight viewing.

At a Pittsburgh parking garage, a man deposits his quarter in the parking meter before gazing out across Allegheny River to the PNC park esplanade. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang rings out as the long-range scope of the rifle in his hand finds five random pedestrian targets.

The overwhelming amount of clear evidence leads detective Emerson (David Oywlowo) to promptly arrest marksman James Barr (Joseph Sikora). But instead of signing a full confession for DA Alex Rodin (Richard Jenkins), the alleged killer scribbles a cryptic note to "get Jack Reacher".

Puzzled, they attempt to find ex-military inspector 'Reacher' but he is simply a ghost - living in the shadow of society's blind spot. However after seeing the news report, Reacher arrives on cue of his own accord. Although, uncooperative to the prosecution it is obvious to Barr's attorney Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike) that Reacher is not there to save her client, but to seal his fate.

Disturb by the perfection of the evidence, the indignantly Reacher scrutinizes every element to find meaning behind the seemingly random shooting and finally punish Barr for past crimes. But sometimes when you look for answers, all you get is more questions and although unbound by the law, Reacher is compelled to do what is right.

Age, stature, diction and authoritative presence deficient for our incorruptible taciturn hero, Cruise just doesn't have the glum brawny X factor or sharp-wittedness required for this enigmatic character, making the gapping chasm of modern action stars all the more apparent.

In minor roles, Robert Duvall, Werner Herzog, Michael Raymond-James and James Martin Kelly make the most of their one-dimensional characters whilst newcomer, Australia's own Jai Courtney's second Hollywood role (as in Bruce Willis son in the next installment of his far more memorable action franchise) will hopefully do the future-star more justice.

The Verdict: Although a nice respite from this months overly in-depth Oscar chasers, Jack Reacher is too dumbed-down from its sharp biting source material. If, as the books imply, a word can be more piercing than a bullet, then give me more words to shoot a this shamelessly money-grubbing franchise.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 12/01/2013.