Jack Reaches.

Rating: 6/10 (10 March 2016)

Jack Reacher (2012): Dir: Christopher McQuarrie / Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo, Werner Herzog: Revenge action thriller where its anti hero takes the law into his own hands when the system fails. Five random people are picked off by a sniper. A suspect is in custody but rather than own up to the crime, he requests Jack Reacher who knows his background. Reacher shows up to investigate the crime while leaving everyone scratching their heads with regards to his ability to remain unreachable particularly within any search engine. As Reacher discovers clues and makes clever speculations, there are thugs sent to prevent him from discovering the truth behind the shootings. This is all very clever but intermixed with mindless action, some of it exhilarating such as a long speed chase by cars and police, and some of it plainly over the top such as a climax that has that too simplistic revenge solution. Tom Cruise plays off the grim determination of a guy out to prevent criminals from escaping justice. Rosamund Pike is effective as the defence attorney for the suspect in custody who is befuddled by Reacher's speculations while also watching her own back. Unfortunately other roles are the typical thug criminal types who are merely punching bags for Reacher's rage. Action fans will no doubt enjoy the chaos presented here but others may seek out action fare with a heightened substance. It is certainly a step up for Christopher McQuarrie who previously made the mediocre film as The Way of the Gun, which doesn't reach as high as Reacher. Score: 6 / 10