Jack Reacher

Mr Beech · March 2013

Anyone here familiar with the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child or the recent film adaptation Jack Reacher, based on One Shot, starring Tom Cruise?

I haven't checked any of it out yet, but I'm curious to hear thoughts. I know the movie did well and got generally positive reviews, marking Tom Cruise's 19th film to make over $200 million worldwide.

Lexi · March 2013

I've read all the novels, and they are superb. Highly recommend them, but do read them in order. Lee Child has a very clever writing style and flips his novels from first person to third, which makes you get to know Reacher from different perspectives.

The films though...sorry, boycotting them. Tom cruise is NOT Reacher and I'm still in shock Child's sold out to him. He even said in a radio interview he would never cast Cruise in the film role (Reacher is 6' 5!!) And yet apparently Cruise bought the film rights. Also it looks as if the film doesn't stay true to the books, so not intersted in the cinematic version at all.

herbie123 · March 2013

Totally agree with this the books are great.

I went to see the film about two weeks after I had seen Skyfall, and whilst I enjoyed the film, my wife, son and myself all agreed that it was not a patch on the bond movie.
Both my wife and myself agree with the other comment about Tom Cruise playing Reacher, whilst he doesn't do a bad job, if you have read the books he is no Reacher, Reacher is 6 1/2 ft.

Silhouette Man · March 2013

Got the first book - have yet to read it. The Story of My Life.

Le Samourai · March 2013

I have to take a contrarian stance regarding the Reacher novels. They aren't bad, and they have their moments, but I just don't share the public's enthusiasm for them.

One of my main problems is with Jack Reacher himself. Frankly, I find him rather dull. I don't really get him as an individual. He seems to have no inner life. Lee Child has said there is no character arc in his books, and that's pretty much true. Reacher doesn't really change. Child says this is on purpose, because Reacher is "perfect." Perfect is boring.

I much prefer series characters such John D. MacDonald's Travis MvGee, Robert B. Parker's Spenser, or (of course) Fleming's Bond. They just seem more real and complex than Reacher.

Lexi · March 2013

Le Samourai wrote:

I have to take a contrarian stance regarding the Reacher novels. They aren't bad, and they have their moments, but I just don't share the public's enthusiasm for them.

One of my main problems is with Jack Reacher himself. Frankly, I find him rather dull. I don't really get him as an individual. He seems to have no inner life. Lee Child has said there is no character arc in his books, and that's pretty much true. Reacher doesn't really change. Child says this is on purpose, because Reacher is "perfect." Perfect is boring.

I much prefer series characters such John D. MacDonald's Travis MvGee, Robert B. Parker's Spenser, or (of course) Fleming's Bond. They just seem more real and complex than Reacher.

Oh don't get me wrong, Reacher is not a well rounded literary character... and he's certainly no James Bond. He is an ex-military cop who is now a nomad, so to speak, with no fixed abode, and wanders around the States, somehow finding or rather stumbling into some sort of 'situation' that needs to be fixed.

However, what Lee is brilliant at is creating interesting situations, that Reacher can nicely fit into. You know what you're getting when you read his books, a bit of escapism, with an uncomplicated character (which I wouldn't mind stumbling upon myself :v ) and if you're ever in a bar brawl, you'd hope that Reacher was sitting in the corner, and have your back.

No literally prize here... but a good, dependable read.

Youknowthename · March 2013

Seen the movie - not bad, but far from great either. Assuming it's a one/off Reacher for Cruise, they could've done a better job.

Lexi · March 2013

Youknowthename wrote:

Seen the movie - not bad, but far from great either. Assuming it's a one/off Reacher for Cruise, they could've done a better job.

Well Cruise bought the rights for the movies, so alas, expect more.

Shame, the series could have been brilliant if they had got the casting right.

thesecretagent · March 2013

I love the books. Like I love junk food from time to time. A nice "hit" when the mood fancies. They are predictable in terms of Reacher himself, which is a nice quality sometimes. That said, I've never predicted the plot. Child is brilliant in these terms, his stories, though simple aren't easy to guess, even if Reacher himself is. As for the film, can't get my head round Cruise pulling off playing a 6'5" 18 stone hardman. That's Reacher's thing, his sheer power and imposing bulk.

Thunderpussy · March 2013

There is a scene in Jack Reacher where I laughed out loud,as it
seemed so silly.
Cruise visits a car parts store and on asking to see a girl who worked there
the guy behind the counter askes for some ID. Cruise refuses and the Guy
says something like "I have to see something" to which Tom replies
"How about the inside of an ambulance "

)
Coming from some one like Arnie, this would be a threat, But Tom, Little Tom

Mr Beech · March 2013

The height thing is tricky. I get that they tried to transpose that character's intimidation from height into a result of personality and how he carries himself, but man, Tom Cruise is short.

It is almost a foot difference in height. I guess Cruise didn't want someone else casted in the part.

James Suzuki · March 2013

The problem with the film is that they milked the "Reacher tough man" persona too much which just made it feel too Hollywood. Reacher in the novels was more brutal, all Tom does is kick a few guys in the nuts and punch them in the face.
Also they lost the whole suspense of the novel by revelaing who the sniper was in the first Five Minutes, something which made the novel One Shot, superb was that it made you keep on guessing who the sniper was.
Rosamund Pike was AWESOME as always (I wish she could return to 007) But cruise ruined the whole film, but I do love him in the Mission Impossible Series. I was disappointed!

Youknowthename · March 2013

Can't be really bothered with the height thing - but I haven't read the books. And hey, we do have the shortest Bond ever at work.

However, Rosamund Pike is still - excuse my choice of words - yummy!

Thunderpussy · March 2013

I agree height has no bearing on how frighting
someone can be, Look at Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.
IMHO, it was silly Casting.

It was funny watching Cruise and R Pike on the
Graham Norton Show, She couldn't of Kissed Tom's
ass any Harder.

) I don't blame her, he's a powerful
Guy in hollywood.

Napoleon Plural · March 2013

Yeah, that was bit off. What made it worse was that the next line-up on that show, I think Hugh Jackman and Billy Crystal, just turned up and had a laugh. With Cruise it was all by the book.

thesecretagent · March 2013

That was really cringeworthy. Rosamund Pike was just on another level.

Mr Beech · March 2013

I must agree with certain film sites that One Shot is a way more intriguing title. Jack Reacher is not going to have that much interest around the name in the film world since he's never been there before. Oh well.

As for the Graham Norton interview, I thought it was alright. He seemed modest, but passionate. She was definitely trying to give him credit, but it seemed more eager than forced to me.

Jack Reacher

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