Lee Child makes a cameo appearance in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. And about 50% of the story in Lee Child’s novel makes it into the movie. The script by Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, and Christopher McQuarrie moves the scenes in the novel from California to the Washington, D.C. area. There must have been a tax-break because the big action scenes and chases happen in New Orleans (nothing like that in the novel). There is little chemistry between Tom Cruise and Cobie Smulders, but they beat up Bad Guys together satisfactorily. I liked Danika Yarosh, who plays a 15-year-old who may or may not be Jack Reaher’s daughter. Her role was expanded in the transition from the book to the movie. Other than the mawkish ending scene, I found Jack Reacher: Never Go Back to be an enjoyable, competent action movie. GRADE: B
You are being kind. I thought this was a terrible movie. Cliché after cliché. The teenage girl especially. And things not explained. He runs across someone who trained under him, later he calls her, why does he have her number memorized? How does he locate the teenage girl so easily? The movie looks like a made for TV movie. I would give it a D. I Saw the Accountant which not a great film is much better than this.
Steve, I agree with many of your points. The role of the teenage girl was expanded to appeal to the “youth audience.” Perhaps my grade was influenced by Lee Child’s book, which I liked. Early box office numbers indicate that JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK is doing better than that other Tom Cruise film, OBLIVION.
I just can’t see Tom Cruise movies anymore. I remember a time when I thought he was a terrific actor but somewhere along the way, he lost me. The Scientology, I guess.
Patti, believe it or not I thought Tom Cruise delivered one of his most controlled performances in JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK. You don’t get the “Tom Cruise grin” until the final scenes.
Glad to see Lee has another cameo. I’ll see the movie, but I don’t remember enough about the book to compare the action. I’ve never thought of cruise as Reacher, but for people I’ve talked to who haven’t read the book, they think he fits the bill. I just forget about the description of Reacher and it works for me.
Maggie, I’m impressed that Tom Cruise does the action sequences himself.
Saw an article yesterday that gave a “Critics Roundup” of opinions of the movie and most of them were fairly negative (“dull” and “forgettable” being the operative terms). I’ve never been a Cruise fan; he seems to act with his self-perceived “charm” and now he’s had so much work done he’s approaching the Bob-Costas-sandblast level of tight skin.
Deb, Tom Cruise’s plastic surgery gets masked by cuts and blood in this movie. Cruise takes a lot of punishment at the hands of the Bad Guys.
Reacher – 6’5″
Cruise – 5’2″ or so (OK, he claims 5’7″; I doubt that)
I liked the book, but the first movie sucked big time and I doubt I’d be desperate enough to sit through this one, unless I had Cap’n Bob there to provide a running commentary.
I liked (I must admit) EDGE OF TOMORROW. Otherwise, Tom’s recent career is a Zero for me.
Jeff, I’m a sucker for the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies.
If you hated the first movie you definitely hate this one. The first was much better.
Rotten Tomatoes – 39%.
Jeff, I’m hoping for TRUMP to stay below 39%!
As an aside: WEINER is on HBO (I think) tonight.
Jeff, I’m still trying to process what I saw when I watched WEINER. And that was before Huma finally dumped him.
I liked TOP GUN. That’s it for Cruse movies for me. But since I don’t go to movies much any more (Flash! Robinson may go to theater to see Dr. Strange!) my saying I like or don’t like a particular movie doesn’t mean much.
Here It’s 47 out, brilliant sunshine and Barbara and I are going for a walk by the Willamette River. The Fall color is beautiful. This afternoon our new leaf blower will get some good use, and we’ll start some Fall pruning. Have a happy Saturday, everyone!
Rick, it’s been raining here for three straight days. Since we’ve been in a drought for most of 2016 the rain is welcome although it’s getting annoying. No walking for me. I’m chained to my computer uploading the next round of exams for my online students. No rest for the wicked…
Hated Top Gun. Collateral is my favorite of his films. Dr. Strange does look interesting . That is on my fall list along with The Arrival.
Steve, I’ll be buying advance tickets to DOCTOR STRANGE next week. Looks great! Saw the trailer to ARRIVAL. That looks intriguing. I’m not too sure about PASSENGERS.
I went to my 3rd movie of the year Wed. The Girl on the Train. Nancy wanted to see it, so we went to the “bargain” show at the Lot in La Jolla. It was $10. My usual is $6 at amc. This theater has drinks and meals, and very nice recliners. For me, the recliner wasn’t worth the extra $. We ate after the movie in the attached restaurant and had a good meal. I had sweet corn chowder and we shared heirloom tomatoes with burrata. Nancy says she has friends who go there (close for la jolla village residents) and many people go for their breakfast.
Not having read the book, the movie was good, not great. I didn’t catch the twist until it was made obvious. Didn’t make me want to read the book
Maggie, Diane read THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and has no interest in the movie. I love Emily Blunt so I might just catch it at the cheap theater ($3 on Tuesdays).
I’m with Steve here. I thought TOP GUN was awful.
Jeff, TOP GUN is a cult classic. But I’m with you and Steve.
Barbara liked GIRL ON THE TRAIN (book) a lot and is looking forward to the film, but her movie friend isn’t so sure.
Rick, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN has received mixed reviews from most movie critics. But, for the Right Price, I’ll go see it.
Thanks, Kelley! I tune in to your blog and the first thing I see is the highly punchable mug of the Smirking Dwarf! I’m dismayed that anyone would see a movie with that cult asshole in it, especially if they know that his money goes to support the evil work of Hubbardism!
George, I have read just one Jack Reacher novel, KILLING FLOOR, and liked it more for the author’s narrative style than the plot. There’s something about Child’s writing that I can’t put a finger to; he writes as if he’s narrating the story in person, if that makes any sense.
Prashant, Lee Child had a previous career in television before he turned to writing novels. I think that’s where his narration style comes from.