Movie Breakdown: Jack Reacher

People are doing traditional-style reviews all over the web, so we decided to try something different.  In each “breakdown” we’ll take a look at what a film’s marketing led us to believe, how the movie actually played, and then what we learned from it all.  Read on!

The Impression:

Christopher McQuarrie (writer of The Usual Suspects, director of The Way Of The Gun) directs Tom Cruise in a movie about a drifter who travels around and either helps you, or hits you.  The film is also based on a book by Lee Child titled One Shot.

The Reality:

As it turns out, Jack Reacher is not just two hours of Tom Cruise throwing out tough guy one-liners and then beating people up.  No, Jack Reacher is actually a rather clever film that’s more interested in solving the mystery behind a gruesome crime than it is providing you with explosions.  This, of course, isn’t to say there’s not plenty of badassery that takes place on the screen.  It’s certainly there (and you’ll be surprised how well Tom Cruise pulls it all off).  Just be sure to go in expecting to also need your brain.

The Lesson:

Jack Reacher is further proof that action movies can also be smart.