Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, film review – Everybody’s gunning for Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise’s latest action spectacular is so dull that Charlotte O'Sullivan found herself willing on the baddies
Charlotte O'Sullivan21 October 2016

Tom Cruise’s latest action spectacular is so dull that I found myself willing on the baddies. At one point, practically the whole US army and a sinister corporation are all gunning for a smug ex-military dude called Jack. When he’s in custody, a snotty lawyer tells him he’s screwed, then meekly agrees to leave the room (Jack wants a sandwich). “Forget lunch!” I thought. “Just lynch him!”

Strong, smart and (grudgingly) sensitive, Jack is pretty much identical to Mission Impossible’s Ethan Hunt. What separates them is Jack’s penchant for hitch-hiking. That, and his habit of barking the word “Go!” whenever answering the phone. And his ability to run with preposterous fervour (when you don’t have a car, you have to be quick on your pins).

Reacher’s first outing in 2014 was only a modest success in America. Perhaps that’s why the lone-wolf formula has been tweaked. He’s accompanied now by an army major and proud feminist, Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), who can garrote men using a bendy pipe. Edge of Tomorrow had a similarly buff female protagonist, but where Emily Blunt was sexy and funny, Smulders just looks serenely bored.

Meanwhile, Cruise sporadically narrows his eyes like a Thunderbirds puppet and emotes in the direction of a pretty, farcically unpredictable teen, Samantha (Danika Yarosh). As chases and fist-fights ensue (in New Orleans), the focus moves towards Jack and Sam.

If the film does well, they’ll be back. Here’s hoping.

Cert 12A, 118 mins

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