'Reacher' Review: Alan-Ritchson-starrer is intense, riveting and better than the movies
The first ten minutes of 'Reacher' set the tone for what promises to be a solid Friday watch. Perhaps Alan Ritchson dying on 'Titans' was not a bad thing after all. He fits the bill in 'Reacher' and we're not just talking about the physical attributes. Again, no disrespect to Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood's finest, but this series is more than just for 'Jack Reacher' ardents. Ritchson's Reacher has that stare that subtly hints at the fact that the gargantuan of a man can crush your windpipe with his bare hands.
It shouldn't come as a surprise if the intro was written to be better than the movies. Reacher doesn't speak for the first six minutes or so, he doesn't get to each the best peach pie in Georgia because he's there for a purpose — which the series doesn't hold back for too late by the way. Ritchson transforms from a superhero to ex-military police, lone wolf, and key protagonist seamlessly and conveys the quiet and comforting confidence that Lee Child gave to Jack Reacher in the books.
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The reboot is based on the first book, 'Killing Floor'. For those who haven't read the book, it's neat, pacy, and compelling — things the series nails to perfection. The eight-episode series starts off with Reacher alighting the bus at Margrave, Georgia only to be arrested as a suspect for murder. The next part of the story is predictable, he's got to stay back and be the messiah, and when he realizes who's killed, his task becomes personal. His chemistry with Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) and cynical investigating officer Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin) shows that the co-stars put their acting chops on full display.
Ritchson himself does justice to the role which even Cruise, sans the physical characteristics, did a fine job in the movies that met with mixed reviews while raking in the moolah. He proves that he's more than a huge chunk of muscle and puts his fists to good use. His attempts to match Child's Reacher is commendable and given another season, he'll definitely get there. 'Reacher' is solid. It's crisp and just adds to the string of successful thrillers — 'Jack Ryan', 'Bosch' and 'Hannah' that Amazon Prime Video houses. The series has a generous splashing of blood, action, and thrill that makes it a punchy affair. A sequel or two in the offing shouldn't come as a surprise.
'Reacher' is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
