6 Ways Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher Films Outshine the TV Series

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As a movie enthusiast, I can understand if one might think Tom Cruise would steer clear of the Jack Reacher character given the backlash he faced for portraying him. The role seemed to come close to derailing his career, but Tom’s not one to shy away easily. His frequent collaborator, Christopher McQuarrie, made it clear that the franchise has evolved and isn’t looking back…at least, not yet. This suggests a potential third film down the line, perhaps after the Prime Video series wraps up. But here’s the twist: Lee Child, the author, stated there won’t be any more movies with Tom Cruise as Reacher. However, just like Reacher himself, Tom Cruise is someone who doesn’t take kindly to being told what he can and can’t do. So, while it remains to be seen, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a third film happening, despite Lee Child’s stance.

Critics of the Jack Reacher movies often point out Tom Cruise as being an unsuitable choice for the character due to his size, as many believe the title character should be more imposing. It’s similar to casting a tall actor like James Bond, and fans would certainly protest, given their expectations. Yet, these films aren’t all bad; in fact, they manage certain aspects better than the recent Amazon Prime Video show, which has been criticized for its excessive cheesiness.

6
Better Pacing and Precise Storytelling

Reacher has sparked some criticism concerning its speed and expansive storyline. It’s been suggested that no Lee Child novel contains enough thematic depth to stretch across eight episodes, so the stories in each season often seem overly elongated. The proposal has been made that each season should either be shorter or adapt multiple books instead. Fortunately, the films (each approximately 2 hours long) don’t suffer from this issue as they are filled with events that unfold seamlessly and concisely without any unnecessary filler.

It’s Time to Change the Adaptation Strategy

The two Jack Reacher films may contain many imperfections, but they are exceptionally well-executed examples of action cinema. The initial installment stands out particularly, largely due to Christopher McQuarrie’s skillful storytelling in this genre. His Mission Impossible films demonstrate his remarkable attention to detail as a filmmaker.

It’s quite probable that fans will express disappointment over shorter seasons of Reacher. Having two books adapted into each season might additionally lead to complexity. To address this issue, showrunner Nick Santora and his team may want to consider not being too rigid in following the source material. Introducing numerous unique subplots could be a better approach.

5
Crisp Dialogue

In my opinion, the dialogue in this action series can feel quite awkward at times. Yet, it seems that whenever the plot starts to pick up, lines such as “You don’t mess with the special investigators,” and “I don’t hit soft,” appear. However, when it comes to the movie, it emphasizes the character’s cold-blooded demeanor and proficiency, with Cruise’s Reacher uttering phrases like “The last two guys always run” and “On second thought, I’d prefer to eliminate you.

Enough with the Kindergarten Lines

In the Tom Cruise movie, people are also teased playfully, using witty humor and a touch of warmth. The dialogues that Jack Reacher delivers are just vessels for his passionate soul. On the other hand, the series often presents simple material, which isn’t made easier by Alan Ritchson’s frequent expressions that suggest he’s about to laugh. It seems like you can remove him from the TV show “Blue Mountain State,” but it’s challenging to eliminate the influence of “Blue Mountain State” from him as an actor.

4
Fight Psychology and Realism

In films, Jack Reacher’s ability to overpower most individuals is suggested from the very start. However, crooks tend to underestimate him due to his compact build. Considering his history and standing, the odds aren’t always on his side, and it seems he could lose at any moment. On the series, dim-witted criminals perceive a large, self-assured man and still don’t fear him. They continue to think it prudent to challenge him. Predictably, they keep losing.

People Ought to Fear Jack Reacher

The one advantage to having Tom Cruise play Jack Reacher is that his portrayal of the character appears to be someone who antagonists would underestimate, only to discover they’ve pushed the wrong button. In essence, every fight he engages in serves as a demonstration that they misjudged him.

In real life, most people would find someone like Reacher, as portrayed by Ritchson, quite intimidating. However, the casual approach people take when facing him in the show seems unrealistic. It’s clear from every fight that he’s undefeatable. Yet, it’s puzzling why anyone still attempts to challenge him.

3
Fewer Ridiculous Moments

It takes hours of research to find a scene in Tom Cruise’s films that doesn’t violate logic, but Prime Video series abounds with such instances. For example, Reacher hurls a grill at a car from one direction and then runs from another, or he performs actions as reckless as concealing a DEA badge under a pillowcase – the absurdity never ends.

The Show Is Silly, but Fun

Each instance where Ritchson’s Reacher comes into conflict with cruel, money-grabbing criminals is entertaining, and similarly, every moment he employs his cunning to penetrate tight-knit circles of lawbreakers is equally captivating. Unfortunately, these great moments are often tarnished by absurd scenes. It’s frustrating, but there’s not much point in getting upset about it since it’s all fictional. Still, it’s clear that the Prime Video series could be improved if it aimed for a level of realism similar to the Tom Cruise films.

2
A More Recognizable Cast

Tom Cruise may not have had the right body type to perfectly embody Jack Reacher, yet his exceptional talent has kept him a prominent figure in Hollywood since the ’80s. It’s no coincidence that he remains one of the most successful actors globally. Despite seeming as if every role is tailored for Cruise, his talent shines through. Alongside Cruise, movies like these boast other talented performers such as Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo.

Movies are More Lucrative

Reacher also boasts some high-caliber actors like Robert Patrick, but most of the cast members aren’t big names in Hollywood. However, the movie’s performers outshine them when it comes to raw talent, which isn’t surprising given that blockbuster films usually attract top-tier talent more than TV shows. Currently, Alan Ritchson seems poised to spearhead the next generation of action stars.

1
Better Production Values

It All Comes Down to Money

In essence, Nick Santora’s hands are somewhat tied if Jeff Bezos doesn’t contribute a bit more funding. The original Jack Reacher film had a $60 million budget, while its sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, had only $55 million. With that kind of financial backing, the action sequences and visual effects were bound to be superior.

Approximately $12 million is spent on each episode of the Prime Video series, making it suitable for a TV show. However, this large figure doesn’t provide much flexibility for the showrunner. Typically, Jack Reacher and his team find themselves engaged in more dialogue than action, particularly during the last two seasons. Additionally, they can’t afford to continuously damage vehicles like they do in Fast & Furious movies.

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2025-03-30 20:02