Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, seems like the same character he plays in almost every other action movie he has made lately. I'm not sure if this guy can act – at least he can follow directions and as an action hero he usually hits the mark – corny and shallow as it may be... He did take his shirt off a couple of times for the ladies – with the requisite scars from past battles that are supposed to somehow give the character depth. This film I give a rating of equal parts good and equal parts bad. Half of the story, half of the acting, half of the scenes, and half of the characters were pretty good and entertaining – the other half spilled out of my TV screen and dirtied the floor with shallowness, wasted attempts at humor, and a corny sense of patriotism. One scene in particular bothered me, I think I can safely explain my confusion and adverse reaction without spoiling the movie for you – actually the part that I want to lambaste a little is shown in the trailer. Tom Cruise is being chased by the bad guys and the cops at the same time. He's driving a hot red GTO – I think that's what it is. The car was cool. He comes to the middle of the city, abandons his car smooth and silky-like, walked slowly over to a bus stop where at least 20 working men are waiting for the bus home. He melds in to the group, one man even gives him his Pittsburgh baseball cap to wear. Cruise boards the bus with the men – end of story. Several things bother me about this – first of all, are we supposed to believe that all of these workingmen were waiting at the bus stop at the same time. What kind of work did they do? Were they construction workers?? More importantly, why would they attempt to help someone who was clearly running away from the police. I think in this day and age of terrorism, the more likely scenario would've been that the men would have jumped Tom Cruise and held him down until the police came and arrested him. The fact that Jack Reacher is supposed to be a good guy, the supposedly super detective, who lives off the grid and who cares about justice, and will do anything to get the bad guys – just didn't come through very well in the movie, and the last scene, just made everything that more shallow and confusing. Cool, but stupid. So, if you like Tom Cruise – watch this movie and enjoy it. If you're in the mood for 50% mindless entertainment and 50% Tom Cruise in his typical role, then this one's for you.