Review of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) by Nick B — 24 Oct 2016

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK is a textbook example of a sequel not being able to surpass its predecessor. Though it has some simple pleasures of its own, the film feels like a couple steps down from the first JACK REACHER on nearly ever level.

Much of that, no doubt, is the absence of Christopher McQuarrie in the director's chair, as his replacement - Edward Zwick, a fine filmmaker, certainly - simply don't inject the story with the kind of dynamic and playful energy that McQuarrie brought to the table.

Also, the story this time out is standard, murky, plotboiler-thriller fare; whereas the first film had a charming, nuts-and-bolts '70s throwback feel, NEVER GO BACK feels more like a throwback to 1990s thrillers, and not in a great way.

The plot is needlessly convoluted, and propelled into motion by villains who couldn't possibly be more bland (in contrast to Werner Herzog's deliciously idiosyncratic heavy from the first movie).

More than anything, the film just isn't as much fun as the original. All that said, Tom Cruise once again brings his A-game to the proceedings, and his work here is extremely engaging and watchable; he's also got solid chemistry with Smulders, who's able to hold her own, as well.

The action is mostly solid (though it lacks a signature setpiece like the first movie's wonderful car chase), and the third act is actually pretty strong, even as it indulges some cliches of the genre.

It's a perfectly fine watch, all things told, and worth seeing just for Cruise at the top of his game, but it never gels or clicks like the previous movie did, which is a bit disappointing.