If you like non-stop action, the latest Jack Reacher franchise movie might be for you. If you are looking for a decent, plausible plot, check out a film in an adjacent theater.
Reacher (Tom Cruise), an ex-government investigator, is drifting. The head of his old unit Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is indicted for treason after two of her undercover agents are exposed and murdered in Afghanistan. Reacher becomes a vigilante aiming to set things straight. In the process Reacher unearths a thicket of entanglements involving international arms and drug dealing.
During his crusade, he is contacted by a woman, Carlin Dayton, who accuses him of being the father of her 15-year-daughter who she unceremoniously drops into his lap. Samantha (Danika Yarosh) becomes a pawn for Reacher’s enemies.
Car chase scenes are classic and well done. Fight clips of Reacher are extensive and exciting. Cruise prevails, as he should, but shows little in the way of a resultant scrapes, bruises, or banged-up hands. Cinematography in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras is sharp.
Yaraski is a complete mistake in casting. In no way does she look like or act like a sub-teenager. Her costuming and movements are dorkish. The plot lets her down also. Every teenager knows not to use a credit card when ordering pizza if you are incognito.
Cruise does better than average in this role. But for me, the plot never gels and I can only give this show a C rating. You might say the title is prophetic: “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.” This Reacher episode is OK, but I probably won’t ‘go back’ for the next Reacher film.
Currently this you can see this film at the Old Mill Playhouse in The Villages.
Villager Jack Petro reviews local movies for Villages-News.com
