JACK REACHER

US, 2012, 134 minutes, Colour.
Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog, David Oyelowo, Robert Duvall, Jai Courtney.
Directed by Christopher Mac Quarrie.

Many of Lee Child’s readers of the Jack Reacher novels (including this reviewer), know that he is a former military policeman, now a loner, who continually gets caught up in other people’s problems despite himself. He is tough, laconic (though also sardonic), standing at five feet six and weighing 250 pounds or so.

So, who thought of having Tom Cruise (a foot or so shorter and some years older) for the screen version of Jack Reacher? Writer-director, Christopher Mac Quarrie wrote The Usual Suspects.

Despite strong misgivings, I will admit that Tom Cruise is not too bad at all. Lee Child himself remarked that in the books Jack Reacher is like a sledgehammer whereas in the film, he will be more like a scalpel. Maybe. Tom Cruise does get the opportunity to go the sledgehammer route. The main difficulty is not his height but that, despite many Mission Impossible actioners, his face does not look as lived in as Jack Reacher’s should be. Despite the long career, Tom Cruise still has touches of the baby-face.

One other thing for Reacher readers. This film version of One Shot is a pretty good adaptation of the novel. The first ten minutes or so are exact, with a lot of detail, which can reassure hesitant readers. Needless to say, a number of characters are shed, but the core of the novel is faithfully followed for screen action rather than merely being literal.

For those not familiar with the novels and character, Jack Reacher should prove an interesting, even intelligent, mystery action thriller.

A shooter who has shot five victims in the city centre is arrested and asks for Jack Reacher. It is assumed that he is to witness to the character of the shooter. Not at all. The two have a difficult history. This baffles the shooter’s lawyer (Rosamund Pike), the DA (Richard Jenkins) who happens to be the lawyer’s father, and the chief of police (British Shakespearean actor, David Oyelowo).

This is one of those things are not what they seem tales and it is interesting to see where incidents and clues lead us. Some lead to a veteran shooter, played with his pleasing customary bluff by Robert Duvall, and to a mysterious Russian who is played, capitalising on his sinister voice and accent, by celebrated director, Werner Herzog.

While Jack Reacher does have some fights and Cruise makes them credible enough, there is a car chase, probably the visual equivalent of the physicality of fists, kicks and blows.

We probably won’t mind if this is the beginning of a movie franchise – but Mr Cruise is now venturing into his 50s as should be the literary Jack Reacher.

1. The popularity of Lee Child’s books? Jack Reacher as a tough and popular action hero, a loner, police work, detection, shrewd, engaging yet threatening? Screen presence and performance by Tom Cruise?

2. The Pittsburgh setting, the opening, the river and its environment, the city, the police and the departments, homes and apartments, clubs, the old homes, the Zec and his home, the streets, the rifle range, the venue for the shootout at the end? The musical score?

3. The title, the focus on Reacher, Reacher and his background, the title of the novel, One Shot? Its meaning?

4. Barr, driving, the traffic cone, the coin in the meter, the six shots, the detail of each?

5. Barr, the police and investigation, the DA? Roden and his clashing with Helen, her choosing to defend Barr?

6. Barr, his background, the arrest, his being bashed, in a coma, his message to get Reacher? Reacher and his arrival, but his wanting to Barr rather than save him? Helen and Roden and their surprise? Emerson, his participation in the investigation? The significance of the flashbacks and Barr and his story, wanting to shoot, frustrated, shooting the men and the fact that they were connected with the American government? The cover-up?

7. Reacher and his confronting Helen, the information, her reaction, going to the bus, his return, his saying that Barr was not guilty? Not an open and shut case?

8. Reacher going to the bar, the encounter with Sandy, the setup, the young men picking the fight, out in the street, the challenge, Reacher and his fighting skills? Reacher going to the car repairs, the office, the figure of the man, Sandy and her work, her fears, her relationship with her boyfriend, Reacher taking her car, the boyfriend’s mother, the drugs, phone call? His death? In the river? Sandy and her being killed? Reacher at the river? The thugs and his fight with them?

9. Emerson as detective, as a personality, his work, discussing the investigation with Reacher?

10. Roden, his concern, the possibility that he was in league with the Zec? The possibility that the detective was in league? the reality and the revelation in the elevator?

11. Reacher being followed, Charlie and the men, their being spotted, their plans? Zec and his control, his background story, the prisoner, his fingers being destroyed, his ambitions? Confronting the driver and urging him to cut off his fingers? Unable to? His being shot?

12. The investigation of each of the victims? The visualising of their stories, the detective work, seeing the families, Helen and her going to visit the husband, her making a mistake? The man and the woman and the flowers, the affair? The babysitter? The Hispanic woman and her son and trying to help him? The woman and her company, the lawsuits, getting the documentation about this lawsuits, her being the true target of the killings? The one shot?

13. The investigation about the rifle ranges, Barr and his practice, having a friend? Reacher going out to the range, chatting with the owner, Reacher being recognised by his shooting reputation, the photo, Barr being flattered, set up by Charlie? Charlie as the shooter? The owner, his help, his poor sight, Reacher getting him for the confrontation, driving the truck, shooting, the tactics? His enjoying the fight?

14. Zec and his ambitions, ruthlessness, Werner Herzog and his voice, his look, talking, ruthless? The background of prison, his fingers? His confidence? Emerson and the connection? The build-up to the confrontation, in his office, waiting, capturing Helen? With Emerson?

15. The siege, the tactics, Charlie and the others defending? Reacher and his coming to the office, Emerson holding Helen, Reacher shooting nonetheless? The rescue? Roden and Helen?

16. Reacher and his skill in detection, Helen and her reaction, Reacher and his leaving and going onto new adventures?

17. A successful adaptation of a novel, and a higher class action film than usual?