Image: Paramount Pictures
Directed by Edward Zwick, who directed such films as “Blood Diamond” (2006), “The Last Samurai” (2003) and “Legends of the Fall” (1994), the new film “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” subjectively underperformed.
According to imdb.com: “Jack Reacher must uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear his name. On the run as a fugitive from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever.”
The film is the sequel to the Jack Reacher film of 2012; yet, despite its sequel status, the plot was rather simple and easy to follow. An average moviegoer will have no issue following, and even predicting, major plot developments without prior knowledge of events or characters.
With a budget of $96 million dollars, the film may be barley worth the cost of attendance based on the live-action shown; however, with an extremely predictable plot, and sly humor, one wouldn’t miss much if he or she decided to wait for the film to become available on streaming services or DVD.
Nevertheless, the film didn’t completely disappoint. It showcased lavish scenes of French Quarter New Orleans during Halloween celebrations, and adrenaline-pumping action never fails to excite.
Zwick allowed Tom Cruise’s title character, John Reacher, to come alive through the use of a foil character, Major Turner (played by Cobie Smulders), to show a stark contrast between Reacher’s more hardline attitude and Turner’s feminine one. This is showcased during a scene where Reacher has an interaction, laced with feminist language, with Turner about her role protecting Samantha, played by Danika Yarosh.
As reported by “Variety,” Tyler Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween” performed better at the box office than Tom Cruise’s highly-promoted film, with an estimated $27.6 million in revenue in comparison to the $23 million for the Cruise sequel.
I’d give this film a 4/5 on overall set design and action scenes presented; however, the film can only earn a solid 2/5 on plot and character development. This film earns a 3/5, in my view, and wouldn’t be a waste of time to watch—but you might want to wait until you can watch it at home.
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