Jack Reacher Review

On a morning like any other morning, a man sits on a downtown park bench, a bouquet of roses at his side. A woman buys an expensive watch for a special man in her life. A businesswoman walks to a bank, seeking a lone. A young nanny, accompanied by the girl she cares for, takes a walk in that park. A mother visits the baseball stadium to purchase tickets as a reward for her son’s good grades. An unknown sniper, perched in a parking garage across from the park, takes aim at human targets. Six shots are fired, five lives are taken. This is the opening scene of Jack Reacher.

The presumed sniper, James Barr (Joseph Sikora), is taken into custody. When he is sat down with district attorney Rodin (Richard Jenkins), and investigator Emerson (David Oyelowo) to sign his confession to the murder of the five victims. Instead, he writes, “Get Jack Reacher.” Enter Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise).

A military veteran, Jack Reacher is a trained killer, with many skills at his disposal. A man with a dry sense of humor and a witty mouth, he produces a few funny moments early on. Throughout the film, he hardly ever uses a gun, but he is most deadly person onscreen. There is a history of him up to his departure from the military 2 years prior to where the story begins, so his existence is undeniable, and yet it is presently impossible to prove that he does exist. He is a “ghost,” a character describes him as, who is found only if he steps into the light, or wants someone to find him. There is no detail that escapes his eye, which makes him reminiscent of the character Lisbeth Salander, for those familiar with “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Because he is so uncommonly, and maybe unrealistically, good, critically it may become a bit of a nuisance.

When Jack answers the call of James Barr, he is contracted by James’ defense attorney, Helen (Rosamund Pike), daughter of the accusing district attorney, Rodin, as her lead investigator. Once the two begin digging through the case’s evidence, they are led to believe Helen’s client may be innocent. And the story takes off from there.

Technically there is not much to complain about. The script is well written, and the actors and actresses do a good job of bringing it to life. A notable performance to mention is Robert Duval as Cash, a shooting range owner. An aging man with a hole in the bottom of his marble sack, he becomes the movie’s comical relief.

I recommend seeing Jack Reacher.

8/10