"I mean to beat you to death and drink your blood from a boot."
The Film
This was always going to be a difficult review to write. As someone who's read every one of Lee Child's supremely entertaining Jack Reacher novels, and someone who's often pondered with friends and fellow fans which actor should be cast in the series' inevitable film adaptation, it's safe to say that - unlike Reacher himself - I'm coming into this with a lot of baggage. And speaking of baggage, let's talk about the man they settled on to fill Reacher's sizable shoes: the tank-like Tom Cruise. (Yes, that was sarcasm.)
Generally speaking, I try to maintain a clear separation between my feelings about an actor and his/her work on the big screen. However, if there's one actor who routinely taxes my ability to remain an objective film critic, it's Tom Cruise. This, coupled with the fact that Cruise is entirely too small to play the force of nature that is Jack Reacher, brings us back to my original statement: this was always going to be a difficult review to write. And here's the rub: I loved this movie.
Based on Lee Child's One Shot, Jack Reacher brings our titular "hero" into the city of Pittsburgh after a lone gunman murders a handful of strangers using a long-range rifle. When all the evidence points to a former Army sniper, local authorities take the suspect into custody. Understandably, the officers-in-charge and District Attorney's office want answers. Unfortunately, the suspect isn't talking. His only message, written on a legal pad, is this: "Get Jack Reacher."
The Picture
Shot entirely on-location in Pittsburgh, Jack Reacher boasts a stunning high definition presentation on Blu-ray. Although the film poses a challenging mix of well-lit daytime exteriors and night sequences ripe with shadow, Paramount's Blu-ray handles every scenario with near-perfect precision. Spot-on skin tones, wonderful depth of black, and a pleasant film grain veneer make for demo quality video. And while the film maintains a relatively neutral palette throughout, punctuations of color - such as Reacher's "borrowed" red 1970 Chevelle SS - stand out beautifully with ample visual punch.
The Sound
Standing just as tall as the video (and probably taller than Cruise) is this disc's exceptional 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. Although dialogue is clear throughout and the surround channels are actively engaged for the duration of the film's running time, two scenes in particular stand out from the crowd. The film's opening sequence provides a unique look through the sniper's scope, while the shooter quietly selects his targets. The subtle breathing, violently punctuated with each shot from his rifle, makes for an engaging (if unsettling) auditory experience. The other standout involves the aforementioned Chevelle SS, which stars in one of the best big screen car chases since Ronin. Crank it up, you'll be glad you did.
The Extras
As for bonus material, we're only offered a trio of featurettes but what we get is surprisingly decent. Together, "The Reacher Phenomenon" and "When the Man Comes Around" give viewers a good look at the man, and the world, that author Lee Child has been refining for years. Reacher Creatures everywhere will get a kick out of listening to Child describe the character and why he ultimately supported the casting of megastar Tom Cruise. And while I don't agree with Child's claim that those much-taller, equally-talented actors "don't exist," Cruise never ceases to impress me with his total commitment to every project he takes on.
Final Thoughts
Much like the man, Jack Reacher is not without its faults. Although Reacher's fighting style is appropriately efficient, the film's climax features a needless fight that Reacher could have (and should have) easily avoided. It feels tacked on out of fear that moviegoers would feel let down without it; the problem is, the Reacher I know wouldn't engage is such silliness. He would also never utter the line, "I'm a drifter with nothing to lose." It's a perfectly true statement of course, but give us some credit, will you?
Issues aside, Jack Reacher works. It may not be the Jack Reacher movie I've been anxiously awaiting, but it's a damned fine movie all the same. With its deceptively simple story, a refreshingly restrained male/female relationship (featuring the lovely Rosamund Pike), a menacing villain (famed director Werner Herzog), and strong supporting work from David Oyelowo, Richard Jenkins, and Robert Duvall, Jack Reacher is a taut and compelling thriller the likes of which we don't often see these days.
And as for Tom Cruise, I never thought I'd say it but I'll admit when I'm wrong - the sonofabitch won me over. (Talk about a mission impossible.) Cruise may not have the build for Reacher, but he does faithfully channel Reacher's fierce, analytical intelligence, explosive energy, and even his wry wit. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm eagerly awaiting a Jack Reacher sequel starring Tom Cruise. Highly recommended.
Product Details
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