Review of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) by Annie C — 21 Oct 2016
The second Jack Reacher film (based on Lee Child's 18th book, 'Never Go Back') is much the same as the first film - still not as good as the novel, but a serviceable action film nonetheless. I'm not sure why, if they're going to franchise the series, they don't go in chronological order? It takes most of the plot from the book: a Military Police Major, Turner (Smulders) is framed for espionage, so Reacher (Cruise) decides to exonerate her by finding/killing who has set her up.
It's amazing Cruise doesn't appear to have aged at all in 4 years! People still hate that he's not the 6 foot-plus hulk from the books, but Cruise brings an intensity to the role, while not always being stony. The difference is that instead of being a loner, he's paired up with Turner and Samantha (Yarosh), so there's three of them on the run, making for a different dynamic that doesn't always work, especially since he's not the most paternal. Since it's a cruise film, there's plenty of running - see above - which even Smulders gets in on!
It's certainly not bad - enough hand-to-hand fights and shoot-outs to tick the 'action' box, as well as a bit of a murder-mystery to be solved. The main issue is it's a little long and there's nothing unique in it - it's all pretty standard and unforgettable.
This review of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) was written by Annie C on 21 Oct 2016.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back has generally received mixed reviews.
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