Writer: Ng Suzhen

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Watch this if you liked: “Mission Impossible” franchise

If you have not read the book, this movie is going to go great for you, especially if you are a big fan of conspiracies.

The film opens with the chilling preparation of a sniper who casually picks his victims via scope. Your blood freezes as the scope moves from an executive to a business woman to a lady with a little girl. As you anticipate his choice, he suddenly makes six continuous shots. The police rush in, get the evidence and pretty soon, they nab their man. A simple open and shut case.

That is, until, the suspect requests for the presence of a certain Jack Reacher. Everyone is baffled since this Reacher person lives like a ghost with no permanent records.

So who exactly is this mystery guy?

He is Tom Cruise, obviously, with a constantly stoic expression. No doubt a capable actor, the role of Reacher does not really pose as a challenge to Cruise. Malaysian cinemagoers though, would not mind the fact that Cruise does not need to do much acting as the plot is what makes this movie. Of course, a few fights are thrown in, but there is nothing really significantly violent at all, which may prove to be a downer for some.

Reacher, a perceptive and smart investigator, has a quick mind as well as sharpened fighting techniques. When he gets to work deciphering evidence invisible to the common man's eye, you get the impression that this man works confidently, never for one minute doubting any of his capabilities. Even female protagonist Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), while managing to hold her own, does not seem to be able to hold a candle to Reacher.

The calm and collected Reacher however, meets his foil in the form of Cash (Robert Duvall), who teams up with the former military policeman to take down the bad guy. The appearance of Cash adds in light-heartedness to the movie, which is weighed down with mood, even with scenes that sometimes serve to be humorous.

The excellent portrayal of antagonist The Zec, played by German film director Werner Herzog, strikes fear in particular during his introduction scene. He may look like a frail, old man, but you know, he is definitely someone not to be messed with. While The Zec maybe a formidable enemy, what gives him less of an edge is the failure to connect him with his high ranking connections, making you wonder if he may be another puppet in the game of conspiracies.

Of course, fans of Lee Child's novels would probably have plenty of bones to pick, especially with Tom Cruise immortalising the towering Jack Reacher on screen.

If you have read the book, ignore the ratings and be prepared to litter it with criticism. If you know next to nothing about the contents on paper, then this would be a conspiracy movie that works to entertain.

Cinema Online, 19 December 2012