7 reviews
I've read about 15 Jack Reacher novels. Could say I'm a huge fan. When I'm ready to read the rest, I can borrow them from my public library's inter-library loan service.
Just as Matthew McConaughey is no Dirk Pitt, Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher. Other reviewers have pointed out the differences between Lee Childs's Reacher and Tom Cruise's Reacher -- the size difference is just too vast to overcome.
That being said, this was still a terrific movie. The action that I've come to expect from Reacher is solidly there. As others have pointed out, with Reacher, you don't need special effects -- the character is fully grown and yes, sneaky at times. His time in the Army military police gives him more of a background in fixing wrongs -- as in this movie. It starts out with one premise and ends totally differently, as Mr. Childs does in every Reacher book.
There were times, however, that I did find myself saying: there's no way Cruise could beat the jelly bellies out of the dudes he takes on,the way a 6'5" Reacher could. His arm length just isn't there. That's what helps the "real" Reacher, his arm length is his best ally. I literally found myself not watching the movie so much as wondering which scenes Mr. Cruise was standing on a box for. Petty, I know, but as a Reacher fan (and as pointed out above, an obvious Dirk Pitt fan!) that's what I was thinking. Clever shooting of scenes and I'm sure boxes, helped Mr. Cruise make this movie believable as to his size difference.
Once I got past my pettiness of the wrong man, Mr. Cruise played a very good character -- the movie was terrific! Shows how THINKING rather than special effects, can make a movie for the ages. Admittedly, because of my disappointment in casting, I did not see the movie in the theater, I watched on Netflix. Normally, when watching a Netflix movie, I'll get up, get something to drink, put the dogs out, chat with my husband, etc. Not this one. I sat, riveted to my computer, until the end of the movie, and immediately ordered a much longer cable for between my TV and computer. This is a movie that needs the bigger screen. No interruptions -- my dogs wanted petting, they were put out of the room by husband (who refuses to watch movies for some reason -- and no TV either, NOT the man I married 25 years ago -- probably sick of the special effects, silliness, etc.). I was literally spellbound.
I agree with another reviewer, let's have at least one more Reacher movie, and yes, let's have Mr. Cruise play him. (But no more Matthew McConaughey playing Dirk Pitt -- he was grand in the movie, but he is seriously no Dirk!) I'm glad I didn't see it in the theater, with all the noise, etc. And once my longer cord gets here, I will replay it on Netflix and sit on my husband to watch it. As that may kill him, I'm glad that it won't take long until he is as entranced as I was.
Just as Matthew McConaughey is no Dirk Pitt, Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher. Other reviewers have pointed out the differences between Lee Childs's Reacher and Tom Cruise's Reacher -- the size difference is just too vast to overcome.
That being said, this was still a terrific movie. The action that I've come to expect from Reacher is solidly there. As others have pointed out, with Reacher, you don't need special effects -- the character is fully grown and yes, sneaky at times. His time in the Army military police gives him more of a background in fixing wrongs -- as in this movie. It starts out with one premise and ends totally differently, as Mr. Childs does in every Reacher book.
There were times, however, that I did find myself saying: there's no way Cruise could beat the jelly bellies out of the dudes he takes on,the way a 6'5" Reacher could. His arm length just isn't there. That's what helps the "real" Reacher, his arm length is his best ally. I literally found myself not watching the movie so much as wondering which scenes Mr. Cruise was standing on a box for. Petty, I know, but as a Reacher fan (and as pointed out above, an obvious Dirk Pitt fan!) that's what I was thinking. Clever shooting of scenes and I'm sure boxes, helped Mr. Cruise make this movie believable as to his size difference.
Once I got past my pettiness of the wrong man, Mr. Cruise played a very good character -- the movie was terrific! Shows how THINKING rather than special effects, can make a movie for the ages. Admittedly, because of my disappointment in casting, I did not see the movie in the theater, I watched on Netflix. Normally, when watching a Netflix movie, I'll get up, get something to drink, put the dogs out, chat with my husband, etc. Not this one. I sat, riveted to my computer, until the end of the movie, and immediately ordered a much longer cable for between my TV and computer. This is a movie that needs the bigger screen. No interruptions -- my dogs wanted petting, they were put out of the room by husband (who refuses to watch movies for some reason -- and no TV either, NOT the man I married 25 years ago -- probably sick of the special effects, silliness, etc.). I was literally spellbound.
I agree with another reviewer, let's have at least one more Reacher movie, and yes, let's have Mr. Cruise play him. (But no more Matthew McConaughey playing Dirk Pitt -- he was grand in the movie, but he is seriously no Dirk!) I'm glad I didn't see it in the theater, with all the noise, etc. And once my longer cord gets here, I will replay it on Netflix and sit on my husband to watch it. As that may kill him, I'm glad that it won't take long until he is as entranced as I was.
I could NOT give this a rating. This first time I saw it, I thought it was a charming movie, and really liked it, 15 out of 10. . Then, my 3- year old son got it in his brain. Now, 3-year olds LOVE repetition. Love it. So, I watched this movie 1,000+ times with him. 3-year olds love to have someone with them while watching the movie 1,000+ times. That would have been me. THEN I would have begged someone to burn it!
This was in 1989. As I write this, the song track is going through my mind. I WISH they would release this to video, or something. My son would love to have this for his daughter. He's complaining about Dora. hehehe The cars were also a reason my son is an old car fan!
This movie is truly magic. I would rate it up there with Cocoon, as a wonderful family movie with a calm, happy ending. The music is so upbeat and happy, the eater is adorable (I also think he's up there with Cookie Monster, my favorite of all time!). I didn't realize how many of the kids went on to be major stars. This is a great movie, really, even after 1,000+ watching. HEY! DUDES IN CHARGE! RE-RELEASE THIS!
UPDATE 3/5/14: I got a VHS copy of this movie and converted it to DVD. Cost me a bundle to get something that would convert it, but worth every penny (Diamond VC500 One Touch Video Capture Device from Amazon ($32.86, which is a lot of money on top of paying $32 for the VHS)and it was as wonderful as I remembered it. My son's oldest daughter is as fascinated with it as he was back in '89 and he cried when I gave it to him for Christmas. He loves watching it as much now as he did then, and when his daughter watches it, if he's home, he always watches with her. So, for $60 odd bucks I got it on DVD and it was worth every penny.
This was in 1989. As I write this, the song track is going through my mind. I WISH they would release this to video, or something. My son would love to have this for his daughter. He's complaining about Dora. hehehe The cars were also a reason my son is an old car fan!
This movie is truly magic. I would rate it up there with Cocoon, as a wonderful family movie with a calm, happy ending. The music is so upbeat and happy, the eater is adorable (I also think he's up there with Cookie Monster, my favorite of all time!). I didn't realize how many of the kids went on to be major stars. This is a great movie, really, even after 1,000+ watching. HEY! DUDES IN CHARGE! RE-RELEASE THIS!
UPDATE 3/5/14: I got a VHS copy of this movie and converted it to DVD. Cost me a bundle to get something that would convert it, but worth every penny (Diamond VC500 One Touch Video Capture Device from Amazon ($32.86, which is a lot of money on top of paying $32 for the VHS)and it was as wonderful as I remembered it. My son's oldest daughter is as fascinated with it as he was back in '89 and he cried when I gave it to him for Christmas. He loves watching it as much now as he did then, and when his daughter watches it, if he's home, he always watches with her. So, for $60 odd bucks I got it on DVD and it was worth every penny.
Was this the same house from Walk the Line? I know, I know, this question has very little to do with the story, but I kept looking at that house and wondering. I *could* watch Walk the Line again, but if I'm wrong, I'll be up all night wondering what OTHER movie that house was in. Sheesh. I vaguely remember someone in an orange outfit hanging around that pool, so I'm not sure it really was Walk the Line. Anyone know whose house that is? And, what an incredible view Maureen's mother's house had! Where was THAT house, does anyone know? I'm thinking it had to have been in Miami, but that was an apple tree and she was over the ocean like on a hill or mountain, and Florida is pretty short on those. So, where would Maureen have gone to college? She was working at a Miami hotel as a summer job (what kind of college kid works in Miami in the summer? Only a foolish one or one without a way to leave Florida!) so she had to have attended a Miami school. But where did that house rest?
This movie is a gem, and I cannot believe, as some others have said, that MORE people haven't seen it. We found it by accident on Starz! and highly recommend you spend the time with it.
While people may tell you it's about boxing, it really isn't. It's about a con. There's enough surprises in the movie to make your jaw drop at times. I know mine did.
Truly a movie that should be seen by more people. The characters and the actors that played them were just wonderful. I can only imagine that the fun these people had on the set was something they will all remember all their lives.
While people may tell you it's about boxing, it really isn't. It's about a con. There's enough surprises in the movie to make your jaw drop at times. I know mine did.
Truly a movie that should be seen by more people. The characters and the actors that played them were just wonderful. I can only imagine that the fun these people had on the set was something they will all remember all their lives.
I think the longest part of this movie is the credits. Well worth watching! As it goes and goes and goes it gets funnier and funnier. The time spent laughing outlasts the entire film! In fact, I can hear the music as I type (and I haven't seen it in about 3 years!).
This is absolutely my all time favorite movie. I saw it first on AMC, and taped it the next time it was on. I watch it at least 2x a year.
Anna Lee is just perfect in this role. Watch her roll her own cigarettes! Ronald Colman is dreamy and his dry humor is just over the top. Caroline's father is rather droll -- we don't HAVE fathers like this anymore. The end of the movie, when Caroline has not yet decided not to leave drags a bit, and is a bit forced for these days (we just don't understand train travel!) but is funny nonetheless. I know this has only been given a 6.5 star rating, but this is a 10 star movie in MY book!
Anna Lee is just perfect in this role. Watch her roll her own cigarettes! Ronald Colman is dreamy and his dry humor is just over the top. Caroline's father is rather droll -- we don't HAVE fathers like this anymore. The end of the movie, when Caroline has not yet decided not to leave drags a bit, and is a bit forced for these days (we just don't understand train travel!) but is funny nonetheless. I know this has only been given a 6.5 star rating, but this is a 10 star movie in MY book!