Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise brings the popular action-novel title character to the big screen, and while he isn’t as physically big and imposing as the Reacher portrayed in the novels, boy howdy, is he ever mean. When civilians are disturbingly shot by a sniper, it seems to be an open-and-shut case. That is, until the suspect summons investigator Jack Reacher, who has an unorthodox approach to homicide investigations that occasionally involves the snapping of somebody’s leg. This is Cruise in nasty mode, but he mixes in some good humor that makes Reacher a well-rounded character for him. Rosamund Pike delivers a memorable performance as the attorney representing the accused sniper, as does Richard Jenkins as her father. On top of the good performances, this is a decent mystery that will keep you guessing. This is a violent one, so know what you are getting into when you go to see it.