Jack Reacher - "On second thought I'd really like to kill you"
The Usual Suspects writer Christopher McQuarrie both writes and directs Tom Cruises new action/thriller "Jack Reacher" originally titled "One Shot" based on the novel of the same name by author Lee Child. The interesting thing about the trailer is it gives little to nothing away about the intricate plot to this extremely well crafted motion picture.
Jack Reacher starts out with an intense 8 minute, no dialogue scene of a man wearing rubber gloves drive a van up to a parking garage opposite a sports stadium and unfold a sniper rifle. Immediately we are thrust into a dire situation in which the camera expertly follows the snipers movements almost hypnotically as he shifts the cross-airs from one target to the next. The attention to detail in this scene is key. The sniper's breathing is the only thing audible, when he finally unleashes carnage onto the innocent unsuspecting crowd his breathing stops which enables any sniper to have better aim. This implies he is not an amateur.
Thus the stage is set 6 rounds fired, 5 people dead & with a boatload of evidence left behind it seems like an open & shut case for the district attorney until the accused military sniper they arrest asks for Jack Reacher. Who is Jack Reacher? Jack Reacher is a ghost, living off the grid, no cell phone, credit cards, permanent residence, drivers license or luggage. He is a fully self sustained man that lives off the pension he was granted after a long service in the military police. "By all accounts a brilliant investigator".
Without being called or contacted in anyway Jack Reacher shows up to the District Attorney's office to assist in the investigation as to whether or not the accused James Barr is actually guilty. The men behind the curtain catch wind of Jack Reacher rolling into to town and try to take steps to put him down before he starts digging & uncovering the really dirty truth. Every time Tom Cruise walks into a building or is faced with an impending fight he is intimidating and deft at the art of combat. He calculates the height and weight of his adversaries and uses his elite training to cripple them, it's actually quite brutal. His performance is a few different shades of grey as he is equally stoic and charismatic. His co-star Rosamund Pike the district attorney's daughter is not the greatest actress, is often seen with a wide-eyed expression that is a little strange looking. Richard Jenkins as the district attorney does his part well but isn't given any meaty or important dialogue to contend with which is a waste of talent.
Legendary documentary film-maker Werner Herzog plays a very creepy, physically deformed villain with sinister motives and a cursed past, his main henchman Charlie played by Australian new-comer Jai Courtney is chilling & a worthy adversary of Jack Reacher, their throw down is enthralling to watch. With one of the best car chases ever, a Tom Cruise at the top of his game, an interesting villain & intricate plot I implore you to buy a ticket, you will be entertained.4.5/5
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