Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Jack Reacher upon its release in 2012. It was a stylishly made, well written, character driven thriller with solid performances and great action sequences. I think a lot of the movies success came down to director Christopher McQuarrie who patently had a good grasp of the source material and how the genre works best. Therefore, when I noticed that he was conspicuously absent from the recent sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, I was curious as to who would fill his shoes. Edward Zwick, an experienced film maker who has worked with Tom Cruise before, directs this time round. All the elements that were present in the first movie are here again. The cast is robust and the narrative concise. Reacher is still an engaging protagonist. Yet for some reason that I can’t exactly put my finger on, the pieces just don’t seem to fit together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Jack Reacher upon its release in 2012. It was a stylishly made, well written, character driven thriller with solid performances and great action sequences. I think a lot of the movies success came down to director Christopher McQuarrie who patently had a good grasp of the source material and how the genre works best. Therefore, when I noticed that he was conspicuously absent from the recent sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, I was curious as to who would fill his shoes. Edward Zwick, an experienced film maker who has worked with Tom Cruise before, directs this time round. All the elements that were present in the first movie are here again. The cast is robust and the narrative concise. Reacher is still an engaging protagonist. Yet for some reason that I can’t exactly put my finger on, the pieces just don’t seem to fit together.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back starts with a vignette which establishes the character’s credentials as an ex- Military Police Officer who now lives off the grid. Despite his drifter lifestyle Reacher still has links to the US Army and over time develops a bond with Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders). While making an impromptu visit to Washington, he discovers the Major has been relieved of command pending a court martial for murder and espionage. As Reacher investigates, he finds himself up against rogue military contractor Parasource and an assassin who is more than his match. Matters are further complicated when Reacher learns that he may have a daughter (Danika Yarosh) and that her life may be in danger from Parasource.
Neither the plot or performances seem to be the problem with Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. The overall production despite a budget of $60 million, seems a little underwhelming. Edward Zwick doesn’t stamp any particular tone or feeling on the proceedings. Washington and New Orleans are usually interesting and charismatic settings for a motion picture, yet precious little is done with them on this occasion. Director of photography Oliver Wood has shot several action movies over the years (Die Hard 2, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum) and can usually utilise locations well. In this instance, the character of the surrounding is conspicuously absent from many scenes. The cinematography is somewhat stark and the production spends too much time in warehouses and government buildings.
Another aspect of the film that seems off, is the editing. Billy Weber is an editor of note and has worked well with such directors as Terence Malick. He certainly has constructed some robust action scenes in previous movies such as The Warriors, 48 Hrs and Extreme Prejudice. Yet here the fights sequences seem poorly constructed often obscuring what is actually happening. Beyond these set pieces the whole movie has a somewhat stilted and awkward feel to it. At times the production has a distinct television feel to it and I wonder if there were time constraints when filming or whether much of the work was delegated to understudies and journeymen crew members.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back lacks the polish of its predecessor. The ingredients are all present yet the end product is not of the quality one was expecting. The film also contains some unnecessary genre tropes that a director of Zwick’s standing shouldn’t need to use. “Red shirt” henchmen wear sunglasses for example. The main villain played by Patrick Heusinger sports black leather driving gloves to denote his evil status. Again, it smacks of someone else with less experienced, involvement. However, in all fairness the film is not a total disaster. Cruise manages to do most of the heavy lifting and still turns in a watchable performance. The plot is acceptable and the film works well as evening-in entertainment. However, if I had paid to see this at the cinema I would have been deeply disappointed.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back made a profit at the box office but nowhere near as much as the first movie. The critics were also split on the films virtues. Therefore, the future of Jack Reacher’s cinematic adventures remains in question. However, if a third movie is commissioned I’m sure Tom Cruise could carry it off, being a good shape for a man in his mid-fifties. The alternative is that the franchise sits on the back burner, while the suits ponder which direction it should take. Then like Alex Cross, there could well be a reboot rather than a continuation. It’s a shame because Lee Child’s books lend themselves well to film, yet after a great start their cinematic adaptations seems to have stumbled somewhat. Perhaps a TV show on cable would be a more suitable medium.
Jack Reacher (2012)
There is often scope for controversy whenever a well-known literary figure is brought to the big screen. Physical descriptions previously established by the author are often ignored in favour of casting a known star. However, books and film are very different mediums so such changes can be done in the name of artistic license. Furthermore, if they are done with intelligence and integrity they can be beneficial. The casting of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is a bold step because of the obvious difference between the actor's and fictional character's stature. Yet it works extremely well. Tom Cruise simply excels in the role. It should also be noted that author Lee Child endorsed his casting, stating that “Reacher's size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way."
There is often scope for controversy whenever a well-known literary figure is brought to the big screen. Physical descriptions previously established by the author are often ignored in favour of casting a known star. However, books and film are very different mediums so such changes can be done in the name of artistic license. Furthermore, if they are done with intelligence and integrity they can be beneficial. The casting of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is a bold step because of the obvious difference between the actor's and fictional character's stature. Yet it works extremely well. Tom Cruise simply excels in the role. It should also be noted that author Lee Child endorsed his casting, stating that “Reacher's size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way."
So now that we have that matter out of the way, what exactly does Jack Reacher have to offer as a mainstream Hollywood thriller? Well for starters it has a tightly written, intelligent script filled with interesting, plausible characters and a story-line that doesn't strain ones sense of incredulity. Secondly, it is well paced, beautifully shot, showcases strong performances from all involved and keeps the audience emotionally invested and engaged. Finally, unlike many movies that cynically exploit the confines of the PG-13 rating, trying to peddle adult themes to a younger audience without dirtying their hands; Jack Reacher successfully depicts acts of violence with restraint and skill, portraying dark and quite shocking events in a dramatic yet unexploitative manner. Simple put this is very good cinema.
After an ex-military sniper appears to shoot five innocent people in cold blood, the Police and D.A. think they have an open and shut case. The only request that the suspects makes is "get Jack Reacher". Within a matter of hours, the said Mr. Reacher arrives but to the defence councils surprise, not to exonerate the accused but to "bury him". Surprised by the accused's request, Reacher then embarks upon his own investigation and it soon becomes apparent that all it not what it seems and someone powerful wants Reacher’s enquiries shutdown. However, Jack has no intention of being sidelined and uses his experience as a former Military Policeman to penetrate the ongoing mystery.
At the centre of the movie is Tom Cruise, who brings Jack Reacher to life in a very natural performance. Reacher is not a traditional hero, nor is he as binary as many other alpha male stereotypes. His appeal lies in his keen mind, which stems from his military training. His strong moral code and direct manner also make his character both credible and likeable. Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie does not add any unnecessary Hollywood tropes to the screenplay. There is no superfluous romance between Reacher and defence lawyer Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike). Rodin is also a credible female character and bereft of the usual stereotypical baggage. The dialogue is candid and direct, with Reacher especially speaking his mind. The hand to hand combat and the use of firearms are depicted realistically. The movie makes no concessions to lazy viewers and expects the audience to concentrate and think.
If this wasn't enough, we are also treated to an extended cameo by Robert Duvall, who as usual makes great acting look so easy and natural. Frankly I was surprised at how good this movie was and the impact it had. It reminded me of many the great thrillers produced during the seventies; films such as Three Days of the Condor and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Movies that were lean, streamlined and driven by strong scripts and performances. Jack Reacher most definitely has that vibe to it as well as the sumptuous visual sophistication that modern film making can have. The dialogue is littered with dry quips and asides which enhances the characters. They're relatively profanity free which is a rare thing these days, yet still very effective.
I have never read any of Lee Child's novels so I was able to watch this movie adaptation without any major pre-conceptions. From my perspective, Jack Reacher is a breath of fresh air and a welcome improvement on mainstream studio thrillers. For those who have a strong connection to the source text, I would urge them to temporarily put aside their preconceptions and give Jack Reacher an objective viewing, bearing in mind the key word “adaptation”. I think people may well be pleasantly surprised, especially in light of the authors own personal endorsement.