A new movie franchise is born?

Rating: 5/10 (6 May 2013)

I read one of the Lack Reacher books a few years ago, I don't recall which one it was or much about it. However, I did remember the character of Jack Reacher. There was something about Jack which was different to so many formulaic detectives ( and lets not pretend this is anything other than a cops and robbers tale ) So when I saw a feature on the TV that a movie had been made I was intrigued at first, then horrified that Tom Cruise was playing the eponymous role. At least 50% of the character is his physical presence, he is huge and a hard nut to boot, well versed at cracking heads as an MP as well as being a top notch investigator.
So I wasn't especially keen to see it, maybe I'd pick it up for rental at the video store if there was absolutely nothing else to watch. Then it was one of the selections on a flight I took a few weeks ago so I watched the trailer, thought it didn't look so bad after all and decided to give it a go.
And that's pretty much the jist of my review, its wasn't so bad after all. Pretty faint praise. It was nice to see an old fashioned thriller again, not dependent on CGI special effects and huge explosions. The story starts off very well, but kinda losses steam a bit as the movie progresses. Its overlong for what it is, 15 minutes could be cut easily and it would be a better movie for the cuts. There is a very good villain, truly sinister, however his motivations, his master plan is really rather mundane and spoils it a bit. Rosamund Pike makes a welcome return to the big screen, hope we see more of her in the future. I quite liked the sexual tension between Rosamund and Tom and the fact that nothing comes of it is refreshing too. But the deal breaker all the way through the film was Tom Cruise, he is just so wrong for the role. Even if you had come to the movie with no pre-conceptions, no idea who Jack Reacher is I don't think it would make much difference. But then again it would be difficult to say who would be right for the part. The best I can come up with is Rory McCann, but he isn't a big name star and couldn't carry a big movie like this ( though he was in the running for the post Brosnan Bond slot ).
In the end of the day it cost 60 million and made 80 million, and that's before DVD sales etc. so its likely they will make another. As Tom Cruise is a bankable star and also producer its likely he will return to the role.