really pleasantly surprised

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2013)

Really pleasantly surprised. I hadn't read the books before going to watch it, so i think i was a bit more open mined before going into watch it then other people, but always been a big fan of McQuarries lesser known film The Way of the Gun. I had my reservations about this film, but Cruise did a great job in it and was unbelievably bad ass in the action sequences. Now Cruise is a lot of things except being tall, as the key description of Jack Reacher being 6' 5" tall is significant in the books. Despite the fan controversy, Cruise has played tough before, such as his great performance from Collateral. Cruise is perfectly cool and tough enough to carry the whole film, whilst being surrounded by a good supporting cast in Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall, Richard Jenkins and David Oyelowo. Also always great to see the fantastic Werner Hertzog on screen. Wasn't blown away by Jai Courtney, but lets wait and see him in A Good Day to Die Hard.
It was Surprisingly violent for a 12A. The direction was great from McQuarrie and the car case was just shot fantastic, edge of your seat stuff.
Good solid film making from McQuarrie