Plays like a novel, an action novel

Rating: 8/10 (21 April 2013)

The popular Lee Child character has finally come to the screen; but as I understand it, Tom Cruise diminutive size (like many action actors though) does not match the novel's character Jack Reacher. So, for those who are not yet familiar with the Jack Reacher series, this won't be a starting negative. To enjoy movies, music and books, one had better separate the creative artists and actors' personal lives from their characters, otherwise life in the arts world will be a bitter series of disappointments. That being said, this movie is packed with twists and turns punctuated by action we've come to expect from Cruise films.
When one looks at his filmography, you get a sense of the genre of stories Cruise likes to get involved with, Lions for Lambs being an exception (good movie by the way), in that he indulges his passion for driving fast and picks characters non too common and bigger than life. He has made few films that weren't commercial successes. This film is again on the mark; the chase scenes are great, the fighting well choreographed and the dialogue is above reproach. The cast is excellent; well, I have a positive bias for Rosamund Pike and Robert Duval to begin with so pardon my expletive.
I recommend this movie to all that are not afflicted with the traits I mentioned in the first paragraph.