Jack Reacher (film)
Jack Reacher is a 2012 American action thriller film directed by Christopher McQuarrie, based on the 2005 novel One Shot by Lee Child. The film stars Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer who investigates a seemingly open-and-shut case involving a sniper accused of killing five people.
Plot Synopsis:
The film opens with a sniper attack in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leaving five dead. James Barr, a former U.S. Army sniper, is quickly apprehended based on eyewitness accounts and ballistics evidence. During interrogation, Barr remains silent but writes on a notepad, "Get Jack Reacher."
Detective Emerson, the lead investigator, is puzzled but contacts Reacher. Reacher, who knows Barr from a past military incident, arrives in Pittsburgh. He believes Barr is guilty but is intrigued by the seemingly perfect evidence against him.
Barr's defense attorney, Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), hires Reacher to investigate, believing he can help uncover the truth. Reacher, despite his reservations about Barr, agrees. He meticulously re-examines the crime scene, interviews witnesses, and analyzes the evidence, uncovering inconsistencies and flaws in the official account.
Reacher's investigation leads him into a conspiracy involving a Chechen gangster named The Zec (Werner Herzog) and a corrupt businessman. He discovers that Barr was set up and that the real motive behind the murders is far more complex than initially suspected.
Reacher, along with Helen Rodin, races against time to expose the truth and prevent further violence. They are pursued by The Zec's henchmen, engaging in several action sequences, including hand-to-hand combat and car chases.
In the climactic confrontation, Reacher confronts The Zec and his forces, exposing their criminal activities and clearing Barr's name. The film ends with Reacher disappearing, ready to move on to his next case.
Cast:
- Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher
- Rosamund Pike as Helen Rodin
- Richard Jenkins as Detective Emerson
- Werner Herzog as The Zec
- David Oyelowo as District Attorney Alex Rodin
- Jai Courtney as Charlie
- Robert Duvall as Martin Cash
Reception:
Jack Reacher received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While some praised the action sequences and Cruise's performance, others criticized the pacing and the casting of Cruise as the character of Jack Reacher, who is described in the books as being significantly taller and larger. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $218 million worldwide.
Sequel:
A sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, was released in 2016, with Tom Cruise reprising his role.