A well made and fascinating flick that keeps you entertained beginning to end

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2012)

First of all I have to say how sick and tired I am of hearing from the people that didn't like this film about how Tom Cruise doesn't fit the physical description of Jack Reacher...GET OVER IT!! I have not read any of the Reacher books, although I may start now, but I promise that I couldn't care less whether Cruise fits the physical description of Reacher and Lee Childs doesn't either (supposedly.) When you start to dissect this film and you're sitting there being completely and utterly entertained beginning to end, you see a sheer brilliance in the film making and an incredibly unique experience that will thrill movie goers. Consider this part mystery, part thriller, part 70's Grindhouse, part dark comedy, part action and romantic tension and you have everything you could possibly need to make an outstanding first rate film. They probably did take liberties in creating the film version of Jack Reacher but you have to sometimes and I completely understand wanting more from your favourite literary character but give this film a chance on its own merits and you'll be completely entertained. For the most part it is receiving very good reviews and for good reason. The action scenes at times feel a little forced in order to keep the pace going but still perfectly executed. Reacher is a complete bad-ass and you will root for him at every turn. He's dark, mysterious, angry and brilliant and he makes for a unique and entertaining hero.
I've never stopped liking Tom Cruise as an actor. I think he embodies Hollywood stardom and has for decades. He is easily one of my favourite actors and I couldn't care less about her personal life or religious beliefs. I think he gets a lot of bad press but he performs on screen with very little ego. Becoming Reacher for him is flawless. Delivering his darkly comic one liners is easy and flows for him. The dialogue in this film is so witty and clever and the banter is almost too fast to keep up with but its so easy for Cruise and he nails this role and leads the cast to epic conclusion. Rosamund Pike in many ways feels like a "Bond" girl to Cruise's Reacher. She's beautiful and her reactions to things are almost campy (many things in the film are purposely campy but I'll get to that in a moment.) There is absolutely no doubt that the director carefully plans camera shots to revolve around Pike's cleavage and body and face to sexualize her and yet the character is not overtly sexual. The tension between her and Cruise is brilliant and yet they never actually solidify any romance. It keeps the tension throughout the film. Richard Jenkins is a great character actor and he has a decent role as Pike's DA father but the role is small and he barely gets any good lines so he is sort of left in the dust in an otherwise dialogue-smart film. David Oyelowo is decent as the detective butting heads with Reacher. He delivers a lot of monotony to the character so he certainly doesn't stand out amongst a strong leading cast. Legendary Hollywood actor and director Werner Herzog is the perfect villain. He too comes across as a "Bond" type character and my only regret is that we don't see more of him. They sort of leave him a little underdeveloped but he is still a brilliant and downright evil villain. Jai Courtney is his number one man and our sniper. He plays a great role and the perfect adversary to Cruise's Reacher. Their fight is epic and they both play a key role in a truly outstanding car chase scene (the best I have seen since the Bourne films.) Robert Duvall makes a late in the movie appearance in a great Hollywood legend type cameo and him and Cruise are terrific opposite each other. Duvall is used just the right amount.
I would go so far to say that director and screenplay writer Christopher McQuarrie has created one of the best films of the year, at least the latter part of the year. Is it perfect? No. There are some less than stellar supporting performances and the very quick banter takes some getting used to. However, consider that he created a film with some purposely campy content, a film that is literally funny throughout and yet never takes away from the intensity or the darkness or the action. I think he pays homage to the drive in action films of the 70's and 80's and delivers some incredible cinematography. Parts of this film will make you feel like you are watching Dirty Harry (a great compliment in my opinion,) but then the film also feels a little like a good old fashion Schwarzenegger movie, or an old school mystery detective film. The movie goes through so many different iterations of genres that you will just find yourself completely entertained and that is the goal. The film is so smartly written. The constant back and forth and the way Reacher does his investigating is just a blast to watch. The film is fun, action packed (albeit the action scenes feel a little forced at times), sexy, savvy and the perfect movie theatre experience. Cruise fans can rest easy because this is him in top form. I hope it does well enough to warrant sequels because I want to see Jack Reacher again!! 9/10