Tom Cruise is hands down the greatest movie star of my generation. Movie after movie he has thrown every inch of his being into creating films that are not only well written, directed and acted but also entertaining.
Through it all he has remained viable at the box office as well as critically acclaimed. From "Risky Business" through the "Mission Impossible" films Cruise has been entertaining fans worldwide for over 30 years. And at the ripe young age of 50 he has no signs of stopping.
Cruise's latest effort to hit the home video market is "Jack Reacher." The film is based on the best-selling book series by Lee Child with "Jack Reacher" taking it's plot line from the 2005 book "One Shot."
The film follows Reacher, a former US Army Military Police Corps Officer, as he tries to clear the name of a US Army sniper accused of killing 5 innocent people in a Pittsburgh area shooting. On paper "Jack Reacher" might sound like a run of the mill made for TV movie starring Tom Selleck but that is not the case. Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects & Valkyrie) has created a world of intrigue and action that hooks the audience from the opening frame.
Much has been written about Cruise being miscast in the title role because in the novels Jack Reacher is a towering 6' 5" and weighs 250 pounds and to be fair... that ain't Tom Cruise. But to his credit, as an actor, Cruise pulls off the role perfectly with his intensity and his willingness to perform his own stunts. You totally believe that Cruise's Jack Reacher can kick ass and get the job done.
Plus... isn't it more fun to watch the average size guy take down the towering bad guys? If the title character is 6' 5" the audience fully expects him to triumph but with a guy who's 5' 8" or shorter it amps up the stakes and presents the viewer with the thought... "How's he going to get out of this one?" To me as a viewer that's the escape I am looking for.
Cruise is not alone in his search for justice and the the supporting cast including Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day, Wrath Of The Titans), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Cabin In The Woods), David Oyelowo (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Help)
PLUS
Director Wernor Herzog as the bad guy and Robert Duvall sharing with Cruise again after 23 years are all perfectly cast.
The Blu-Ray features include:
- Commentary by Tom Cruise and Director Christopher McQuarrie
- The Reacher Phenomenon
- When The Man Comes Around
- You Do Not Mess With Jack Reacher: Combat and Weapons
If you are looking for the perfect popcorn movie produced by talent that cares about story and character just as much as action and stunts then "Jack Reacher" is the one to watch.
Drumroll please... 9 out of 10 drumsticks!!!
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