As a long-time devotee of cinema and a connoisseur of action thrillers, I must admit that my initial reaction to Tom Cruise donning the Jack Reacher mantle was met with skepticism. After all, Lee Child’s titular character is described as a towering, rugged figure – quite different from Cruise’s petite yet charismatic demeanor. Yet, over time, I have come to appreciate Cruise’s portrayal of the enigmatic Reacher.
As a dedicated cinephile looking back, eight years following its big-screen debut, I’ve noticed that “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” has experienced a remarkable resurgence on streaming platforms, reaching the summit of viewership charts. This newfound popularity serves as a testament to the lasting charm of Lee Child’s novels and the indisputable star magnetism of none other than Tom Cruise, even in films that didn’t initially win over critics.
Based on data from The Hollywood Reporter, the action-thriller “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” was the most watched movie across Netflix and Paramount+ during the week of July 29 to August 4, with a staggering total of 697 million minutes viewed. This figure outperformed three notable blockbusters on other streaming platforms: “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (560 million minutes on Hulu), “Trolls Band Together” (506 million minutes), and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (476 million minutes), all of which were available on Netflix as well. Furthermore, Nielsen reports that “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” ranked tenth overall in the streaming charts.
Under the direction of Edward Zwick and adapted from book number eighteen in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, this film centers around the title character, Jack Reacher, who finds himself on the run with Major Susan Turner. This is after she is falsely accused of espionage. As they work together to clear her name, they stumble upon a larger, ominous conspiracy that could potentially endanger the world. Tom Cruise portrays Reacher alongside Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge, and Danika Yarosh. The film was criticized for its plot inconsistencies despite delivering plenty of action and suspense. Ultimately, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back earned $162 million at the global box office.
What Really Went Wrong With The Action Franchise?
Although the Jack Reacher films managed to capitalize on the popularity of Lee Child’s thriller books and offered enjoyable viewing, one significant issue was the choice of Tom Cruise for the role. In contrast to the book description of a towering figure at 6’5″ with a rough exterior and brooding disposition, Cruise’s portrayal differed significantly. This casting decision left some dedicated fans feeling let down, but it was noted by critics that Cruise effectively captured Reacher’s essence through his eyes, ultimately living up to Lee Child’s expectations.
Despite the casting conspiracy, there was always the potential for additional movies within the franchise. However, the franchise’s reboot on Prime Video, with Alan Ritchson in the lead role, seems to have nixed any chance of Cruise coming back for a third movie – as if it was ever going to happen. The series finally gave fans an actor who closely matched the description of Jack Reacher from the books. But interestingly, Ritchson himself praised Cruise in an interview with CBR. When asked if he was tired of being compared to Cruise, he responded by saying:
“I could never grow tired of being likened to the greatest actor in history or the final screen legend – it’s an honor that never loses its luster.”
The character Jack Reacher has remained popular over time, and the recent surge in interest for Tom Cruise’s movies can be explained by his lasting charm. With the release of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back capturing public attention and topping streaming rankings, it might be worth considering returning to the movie series once more.
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2024-09-01 15:01