'A Tom Cruise production'...

Rating: 5/10 (18 January 2015)

Thought I'd try a blockbuster with good old Tom Cruise. Directed (and written for the screen) by Christopher McQuarrie, yes, the man behind the ingenious script of the classic 'The usual suspects' (1995). Only one time before did he direct a movie, a good twelve years ago, the rather enjoyable 'The way of the gun' (2000). In 'Jack Reacher' the 'gun' is an important player as well, by the way.
I have hardly kept an eye on Tom Cruise after his earlier work, in which I could at least admire his ample enthusiasm. I did see something here and there, but his enthusiasm has turned into something of a one-trick-pony thing with a high amount of testosterone. In 'Magnolia' that is exactly why it works, but just the other day I saw him once again in 'Collateral', and it was rather annoying.
'A Tom Cruise production' appears on the screen when 'Jack Reacher' begins, and that is pretty much the gist of it. The leading ladies (one upscale blonde and somewhat naive, the other a bit more seedy, dark-haired and even more naive) do not lead, but follow Tom, on their knees preferably. These respective quotes from the ladies are telling: "Can you please put a shirt on?" and "Will you be gentle with me?". Eventually things don't work out with either one; Tom, in the end, rather tussles with an able male opponent in a bare knuckle fight, reminding me of a certain South Park episode. But back to what's important.
What's important is that a(n action) film like this should be enjoyable, and that is barely the case. Just like 'The way of the gun' this one runs over two hours, and that can be a plus. Something of that old atmosphere from '70s thrillers comes to mind (McQuarrie is not afraid to introduce a new character after more than sixty minutes), much helped by the casting of Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog (quite a revelation to me, he's a terrific baddie), Robert Duvall and David Oyelowo. Still I wonder why it is straight away revealed that the arrested man is really innocent (even if it is no surprise at all). And all in all, 'Jack Reacher' is very much 'The Tom Cruise show', that streetfight with multiple opponents being an obvious low. The fight in the bathroom on the other hand, was rather funny. The car chase felt like it could have been better, but it wasn't bad. The complex shootout in the end was quite good, too bad it had to be followed by that stale fight, pretty much in the dark as well.
Pluses and minuses, lots of them, so my rating ends up right in the middle; 5 out of 10. Could have been a lot better, though.