Monday’s Movie Musings; Jack Reacher (2013)

Monday’s Movie Musings is a new feature here at A Daydreamer’s Thoughts. The idea of this feature is to have all of my movie things occuring in one place. Whether it is a review, article, or something else, this feature will just be all about movies.

This week I have a review of Jack Reacher for you all!

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie
Adapted By: Christopher McQuarrie
Book Written By: Lee Child
Production Company: Paramount
Main Cast:Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, and Richard Jenkins
Format: Cinema {OUT NOW}
Add It: IMDB

Summary:
A homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper who shot five random victims.

A Crime Occurs

When I first saw the trailer for this film, I was instantly intrigued and noted it as a film that I wanted to go and see. I am one of those “untraditional” females who actually really enjoys a good action film and is likely to pick it over a lovey-dovey romantic comedy. So, it only made sense that this would be a film that I would go and watch at some point. Fortunately, I caught it before it finished in the cinemas and I’m really glad I did as it was a really great film that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A Suspect Is Found

One of the major problems with action movies these days are the vast majority of them in circulation. Finding one that has an original plot, that isn’t too full of hollywood special effects is an incredibly difficult task. Jack Reacher is no exception to this rule. It is a film that is full of amazing stunts, brilliant shooting, and that one guy who is just better than everyone else. But, despite all of that, I still found myself enjoying the film a lot. The plot had twists that were unforseen, humour that was dark and interesting, and a main protagonist who was emotionally stilted and yet also completely emotionally crippled at the same time. It had everything you could ask for in an action movie plus a few extra bits that made the film that much better for me.

The Specialists Are Called

Tom Cruise has, and probably always will be, a brilliant actor and it is no different in this film. He plays the character of Jack incredibly well and helps to make this character be approached with empathy and bonding. Jack Reacher could easily have been a character that audiences disliked but with the personality and acting skills of Tom Cruise, it was impossible not to adore Jack. Cruise brought the character to life in an amazing way. Rosamund Pike isn’t always a name that people are familiar with. While most will recognise her face when they see it, her name is one that is hard to think of, but fortunately this has no effect on her acting abilities. While there were moments in this film when I felt she irritated me, she played the role really well and had a hard role to actually capture well. Other mentions go to Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo and Werner Herzog, who all played their roles extremely well as well, helping to make the film more rounded and watchable.

A Theory Is Surmised

As per the usual hollywood action movie, this film had to use a lot of special effects and stunts – mostly to draw in that spectacle feel – and I am pleased to admit that they did a great job in this film. It was never over done and while the final shoot-out did have some over-the-top moments, even the guy who was better than everyone had his weak points and I found that to be a really awesome touch. It helped to bring about the idea that even in films, things have the potential to go wrong. It also meant that the film didn’t follow the true Hollywood action style, therefore making it more enjoyable for me. The cinematography of the film was also really brilliant, with the most notorious moment being the beginning of the film which started through the “lens” of a rifle.

A Battle Is Won

All in all, this was a film that was entertaining, fun, and full of suspence. It made you squirm in your seat one moment, grin like a fool the next, and then feel your heart pumping fast the next. It was fast-paced throughout, never leaving the audience to grow bored, and while the plot did get a little complex, it was never so complicated that you got yourself entirely lost. This is the kind of film that hooks the viewer from the opening scene right until the very last moment, not even allowing them a moment of pause. It was everything that I liked to see in a film all rolled up in a lovely bun. I would easily recommend it to other action film fans, especially those who enjoy films like the Bourne trilogy, or the bond films.

** I paid for a full admission to see this film. I was not required to write a review, positive or negative. All views expressed are my own. **

Faye