Summary
The twoJack Reachermovies are jampacked with several compelling action sequences, but a few of them are far more enjoyable than the others. Based onLee Child’sJack Reacher books, theJack Reachermovies were widely criticized for not accurately portraying the titular character. While Reacher stands at 6 feet 5 inches in the original books, the movies feature Tom Cruise as the character, which significantly changes his physical appearance and overall demeanor. Despite the casting criticism, however, the films are quite gripping when dissociated from the original novels.
Tom Cruise does an incredible job of portraying Jack Reacher’s stoicism and ability to say a lot without saying much. The actor may not be as massive as the original Jack Reacher in stature, but he carries himself with enough confidence and poise in the film to come off as a formidable action hero. Even during most action sequences,Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacherdemonstrates a commanding presence, which makes many beatdown scenes from the films memorable.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Cast & Character Guide
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is the second film in the series and features several new and returning faces that audiences may recognize.
7The Garage Brawl
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Almost midway throughJack Reacher: Never Go Back, the titular character notices that some men have been following him. Instead of running away or lashing out at the men, he calmly steps inside a garage in a typical Jack Reacher fashion. Once inside, he has a brief conversation with the men, and, as always, warns them they might be making a mistake. When one of the men asks him how he “wants to do it,” he jokingly asks them to fight him one at a time. Even when one man points his gun at him, Reacher shows no fear, realizing that they cannot kill him.
However, when the fight finally breaks loose, Reacher does not hold back from breaking some bones and delivering brutal blows. The men, too, eventually realize who they have messed with. As a result, in the heat of the moment, they take out their guns and try to shoot him dead. Despite being unarmed, Reacher manages to stay one step ahead and overpowers all of them without sustaining any severe injuries.
6Reacher & Hunter’s Kitchen Fight
After escaping prison inJack Reacher: Never Go Back, Jack Reacher and Turner find themselves in a kitchen where Hunter approaches them. Realizing that they have nowhere else to go, Reacher puts his military combat skills on full display and initially attempts to take Hunter down with Turner’s help. However, Hunter does not back down and impressively overpowers the two characters single-handedly.
…this action sequence in the movie perfectly paves the way for the film’s final showdown between Reacher and Hunter.
To his dismay, before he can kill them, the police arrive at the crime scene and ask him to step back. Given how Jack Reacher is supposed to be an overpowered protagonist,it seems a little strange that Hunter is able to defeat him with ease. However, this action sequence in the movie perfectly paves the way for the film’s final showdown between Reacher and Hunter.
5Jack Reacher & The Hunter’s Final Fight
Reacher and Hunter’s final showdown inJack Reacher: Never Go Backbegins with Hunter having the upper hand. However, Reacher and Turner regain control by killing all of Hunter’s henchmen and moving towards him to save Samantha. In a final confrontation, Reacher finds himself in a tough spot when Hunter threatens to push Sam off the roof of a house. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of saving her and getting Hunter out of his way, Reacher, as always, stays calm.
As soon as Sam cleverly escapes from Hunter’s grip, Reacher spears him off the roof and falls with him to the ground. The two men then duke it out in a one-on-one fight, where Hunter initially lands some decent blows. However, Reacher eventually teaches him a lesson bybreaking his arm, his neck, and then his leg before pushing him off the roof to kill him. This fight scene is brief but impactful enough to bring a solid closure to the movie’s storyline.
8 Biggest Changes Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Makes To The Lee Child’s Book
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back made many changes from the original Lee Child book, from character behavior to plot details to major players and more.
4Reacher & Charlie’s Final One-On-One Fistfight
Jack Reacher (2012)
In the firstJack Reachermovie’s final arc, Reacher and ex-United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Martin Cash join forces to kill Zek’s henchmen. Once the henchmen are out of the way, Reacher finds himself face-to-face with Charlie. Despite being armed, Jack Reacher decides to fight Charlie in a fair and square fistfight. Since the movie’s version of Reacher is significantly smaller than his original counterpart, Charlie seems confident he will win the fight.
…Charlie towers over Jack Reacher, but the Tom Cruise character still beats him using his brute strength, unyielding determination to serve justice, and fighting skills.
Jack Reacher rarely comes across enemies bigger than himin the original Lee Child novels. However, with Tom Cruise portraying the character, the two movies try to make him look overpowered by showing how impressive he is against physically larger adversaries. Even in the first film’s final fight, Charlie towers over Jack Reacher, but the Tom Cruise character still beats him using his brute strength, unyielding determination to serve justice, and fighting skills.
While the first Jack Reacher movie adapts Lee Child’sOne Shot, the second, as its title suggests, is based on the author’sNever Go Back.
3Fight Against Law Enforcers
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
InJack Reacher: Never Go Back’s opening arc, Reacher gets arrested after being framed for murder. Seeing it as an opportunity to help Turner escape, he first knocks down the police officer who guides him to his room. He then wears an officer’s uniform to blend in before he makes his way to Turner’s room. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Reacher wastes no time and starts attacking the hitmen in Turner’s room at the prison.
Turner, too, senses that something is wrong and helps him control the situation. After finally eradicating the two threats, he informs Turner that they are there to kill her. While this scene does not fully showcase Reacher’s impressive combat skills,it underscores his ability to react quickly and even marks the inception of his collaboration with Turner.
2The Two-On-One House Showdown
While almost all fight scenes in theJack Reachermovies take themselves too seriously,this one brings some levity by featuring two goofy villains. After getting Jeb’s address from Sandy, Reacher heads to his home, hoping to find some new leads. However, two men trail him and try to corner him inside the house. Despite being Zek’s trusted henchmen, the two villainous characters in this scene end up accidentally attacking each other instead of hitting Jack Reacher.
When they finally try to have control over the situation,Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacherlashes out at them and easily beats them down. A third man emerges behind Jack Reacher with a gun. However, before he can fire, Reacher disarms him and takes his car keys after warning him to not cross paths with him again. Owing to its added levity, this ranks among the movie franchise’s best action sequences.
$60 million
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$162.1 million
1The Bar Beatdown
The bar fight inJack Reacherbegins with the titular character pondering over the leads he has acquired for the central mass murder. His chain of thought is suddenly interrupted by a woman who tries to entice him. Sensing a trap, Reacher stops her advances, which escalates the situation. Before he knows it, he is surrounded by a group of men with the woman complaining that he insulted her.
This action scene inJack Reacherperfectly captures how overpowered and badass the titular character is compared regular goons and criminals.
Reacher tries to warn the men about the consequences of fighting him. However, they underestimate him, believing that outnumbering him would be enough. When they finally step out for a showdown, Reacher reminds the group’s leader that this was his choice. Before the leader, Jeb, can even land a punch, Jack Reacher plows him with some brutal shots that leave him gasping for air. Even the man’s henchmen meet similar fates before the police arrive at the scene. This action scene inJack Reacherperfectly captures how overpowered and badass the titular character is compared to regular goons and criminals.
Jack Reacher
After a mass shooting takes place, homicide investigator Jack Reacher digs into the case to hunt down the sniper who committed the heinous act. Jack Reacher stars Tom Cruise as the titular character and was directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The success of the 2012 film led to a sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, releasing in 2016.
