Jack Reacher was not on my list of films to see in 2013. However, my interest was sparked upon hearing an interview with writer/director Christopher McQuarrie.
McQuarrie wrote the screenplay for The Usual Suspects in 1995 and has been a frequent collaborator of Suspects director, Bryan Singer.
Jack Reacher is McQuarries second feature as director after, The Way of the Gun (unseen).
From what I remember of the afore-mentioned interview, it was McQuarries interest in the 70's action-movie aesthetic which convinced me to give his new film a look. I'm a huge fan of this era of film, particularly the investigative drama/action of All the Presidents Men and Three Days of the Condor (to name a few).
Unfamiliar with the novels that inspired the movie, I went in to the theatre with only the insight I had garnered from McQuarries interview.
First and foremost Jack Reacher is set in the present day (despite nods to a 70's aesthetic). Reacher is ex-Military - a Police Detective who spends his civilian days off the grid and untraceable. When an ex-client of Reacher is implicated in a shooting, Reacher comes out of hiding. After some convincing from his current defence attorney, Reacher lends his specific talents to the case in the hope of exonerating the defendant once again.
Tom Cruise plays the titular hero and he does it well. Much has been said about his portrayal of the 6ft, 250lb detective - obviously he looks very different!
Despite his movie-star status, Cruise is more than capable of pulling off a role like this. I for one am a fan (Jerry Maguire being my favourite Cruise performance). Obviously he's copped a lot of flak for what he does privately (which has subsequently been made public). However, one can't deny the mans output, nor his box office returns. The worst thing you can say about any of his movies is they're always entertaining (except for Far and Away, maybe)!
Cruise is ably supported by Rosamund Pike (as defence attorney Helen Rodin) and Richard Jenkins (as Helens district attorney dad, Alex Rodin). The great Robert Duvall lends his talents in the later half of the movie as one of Reachers few allies, Cash.
Werner Herzog makes a surprise appearance as The Zec - the villain of the piece.
With a career spanning fifty years, Herzog has taken the path less travelled, directing both documentaries and fictional features alike. Born in Germany, Herzog has made a name for examining the more unusual, but always inherently human stories this world has to offer.
McQuarrie uses his world-weary features and intoxicating voice (often used to narrate his documentaries) to great effect here.
McQuarrie has constructed a great action/detective story with Jack Reacher. His talent as a writer gives the movie a formidable construct - inventive action scenes and quotable dialogue. What could have been a formulaic Hollywood actioner, is instead a movie of some integrity.
Speeding cars don't always make the turns they're supposed to - and men get exhausted when they fight. These subtle moments present a less imperfect world, more like our own - lending the film a greater sense of reality.
There is every opportunity for a sequel here - apparently the novels are bountiful!
In the meantime, this creative team have much to offer, both collectively and independently.
I for one am counting the days 'til McQuarries adaptation of The Wolverine!!
4/5
Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com
McQuarrie wrote the screenplay for The Usual Suspects in 1995 and has been a frequent collaborator of Suspects director, Bryan Singer.
Jack Reacher is McQuarries second feature as director after, The Way of the Gun (unseen).
From what I remember of the afore-mentioned interview, it was McQuarries interest in the 70's action-movie aesthetic which convinced me to give his new film a look. I'm a huge fan of this era of film, particularly the investigative drama/action of All the Presidents Men and Three Days of the Condor (to name a few).
Unfamiliar with the novels that inspired the movie, I went in to the theatre with only the insight I had garnered from McQuarries interview.
First and foremost Jack Reacher is set in the present day (despite nods to a 70's aesthetic). Reacher is ex-Military - a Police Detective who spends his civilian days off the grid and untraceable. When an ex-client of Reacher is implicated in a shooting, Reacher comes out of hiding. After some convincing from his current defence attorney, Reacher lends his specific talents to the case in the hope of exonerating the defendant once again.
Tom Cruise plays the titular hero and he does it well. Much has been said about his portrayal of the 6ft, 250lb detective - obviously he looks very different!
Despite his movie-star status, Cruise is more than capable of pulling off a role like this. I for one am a fan (Jerry Maguire being my favourite Cruise performance). Obviously he's copped a lot of flak for what he does privately (which has subsequently been made public). However, one can't deny the mans output, nor his box office returns. The worst thing you can say about any of his movies is they're always entertaining (except for Far and Away, maybe)!
Cruise is ably supported by Rosamund Pike (as defence attorney Helen Rodin) and Richard Jenkins (as Helens district attorney dad, Alex Rodin). The great Robert Duvall lends his talents in the later half of the movie as one of Reachers few allies, Cash.
Werner Herzog makes a surprise appearance as The Zec - the villain of the piece.
With a career spanning fifty years, Herzog has taken the path less travelled, directing both documentaries and fictional features alike. Born in Germany, Herzog has made a name for examining the more unusual, but always inherently human stories this world has to offer.
McQuarrie uses his world-weary features and intoxicating voice (often used to narrate his documentaries) to great effect here.
McQuarrie has constructed a great action/detective story with Jack Reacher. His talent as a writer gives the movie a formidable construct - inventive action scenes and quotable dialogue. What could have been a formulaic Hollywood actioner, is instead a movie of some integrity.
Speeding cars don't always make the turns they're supposed to - and men get exhausted when they fight. These subtle moments present a less imperfect world, more like our own - lending the film a greater sense of reality.
There is every opportunity for a sequel here - apparently the novels are bountiful!
In the meantime, this creative team have much to offer, both collectively and independently.
I for one am counting the days 'til McQuarries adaptation of The Wolverine!!
4/5
Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com
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