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- The Portrayal of Jack Reacher in the Film Is Not Accurate
- The Hunter Does Not Exist in the Novel
- Character Introductions & Storylines Vary Significantly in the Film
As a seasoned reader of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, I must admit that when I watched “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” I found myself pleasantly surprised by the filmmakers’ creative decisions. While it was intriguing to see the villainous character of The Hunter in action, I couldn’t help but miss the infallible protagonist that Reacher is portrayed as in the books.
The film “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” is one among numerous movie adaptations of books, with several discrepancies from the original storyline. In this film, starring Tom Cruise, we encounter Jack Reacher, a former military wanderer. He journeys to Washington D.C., intending to meet his old comrade Susan Turner (played by Cobie Smulders). Unfortunately, he learns that she has been unjustly accused and jailed. As the plot unfolds, we watch Jack Reacher as he tirelessly works to expose a significant government conspiracy, all while evading (with plenty of Tom Cruise chase scenes) allegations of another crime against him.
Despite boasting a compelling plot, derived from a widely-acclaimed book, the movie exhibited inconsistencies that led to significant departures from its source material. For instance, major character relationships were drastically altered, and instead of multiple antagonists, a single central villain was introduced. These alterations between the novel and film are evident, suggesting that it might have been more effective as a standalone story.
The Portrayal of Jack Reacher in the Film Is Not Accurate
Tom Cruise is an exceptional actor who, even at his age in the sixties, still performs death-defying stunts that leave many in awe. However, this approach might have been a misstep when he was chosen for the role in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. This character, as described in the source material, is a large and muscular man, weighing 250 pounds and towering over six feet tall. While Cruise’s charm and action sequences can undoubtedly captivate audiences, Jack Reacher, as written by Lee Child, possesses unique characteristics.
In the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series Reacher, based on Lee Child’s novel series and the role of Jack Reacher, Alan Ritchson has been chosen to play the lead character. Fans have long anticipated this casting decision since Tom Cruise portrayed Jack Reacher in a previous film. The character of Reacher, as depicted in Lee Child’s books, gives off an impression of being more solitary than friendly and cooperative, always wary of seeking help from others to gain an advantage. In this regard, Alan Ritchson’s interpretation of the character in the series aligns more closely with the original, as his Reacher is not quick to trust others.
In Lee Child’s novel, Reacher seems to come across as someone who prefers solitude over sociability.
Despite the movie ending with Tom Cruise’s character, Reacher, texting Samantha with a smile on his face, in the book he discards the phone and continues his journey instead. These minor alterations significantly impact the portrayal of the main character’s actions and preferred methods for handling situations.
The Hunter Does Not Exist in the Novel
Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novel presents a variety of captivating adversaries that enrich the plot, however, in the movie Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, the filmmakers opted for a fresh approach to the antagonist. In the film, Cruise’s Reacher confronts just one villain, The Hunter (played by Patrick Heusinger), a notorious mercenary who proves to be a tough adversary that demands respect.
In Lee Child’s novel, Reacher’s adversaries were seldom able to challenge his intelligence and physical might, making him seem nearly invincible. To create a more balanced conflict, the film introduced a different antagonist capable of standing up to the main character. However, the introduction of ‘The Hunter’ in the movie represented another significant deviation from the book, but this departure actually enhanced the movie’s overall appeal.
Character Introductions & Storylines Vary Significantly in the Film
In the movie “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, while only a select number of characters significantly impact the overall plot, there are alterations made to character presentations and narratives leading up to the climax. For instance, Samantha, who is portrayed as Reacher’s possible long-lost daughter in the book, interacts minimally with Cruise’s character. However, in the film, she assumes a more prominent role in the storyline during the latter half. Here, the protagonist works diligently to shield her from his adversaries.
In addition, while Reacher takes a considerable amount of time in the film to refute her claim of paternity, it is revealed in the book that he finds a fake birth certificate instead, highlighting the minimal importance assigned to her character and its implications for the narrative. Moreover, the movie Jack Reacher: Never Go Back presents Major Susan Turner and Jack Reacher as seasoned partners who have been through many hardships together. They are depicted as assisting each other right from stopping a human trafficking ring in the initial scenes to untangling the web of conspiracy that made them suspects in multiple murders.
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on how I would rephrase that: “In the book, Reacher and Turner first cross paths during the storyline of Never Go Back, so they didn’t know each other before or collaborate in the military. Yet, in the film adaptation, their history as coworkers and friends made their dynamic all the more intriguing. This relationship added depth to their on-screen chemistry, leading many viewers to anticipate a romantic connection by the end.”
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
is available to stream on Netflix.
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2024-08-16 23:01