Jack Reacher struts macho action

Movie Title:   Jack Reacher Never Go Back

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13, 118 minutes

In a Nutshell:  My husband really liked the first Jack Reacher movie, so he was looking forward to this sequel.  It’s definitely a “man’s movie” with lots of fighting, chase scenes, and military machismo.

Director Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise were last paired together in "The Last Samurai."

Uplifting theme: 

• Family first.
• Friendship, loyalty, patriotism, unconditional love.

Things I liked:

• Tom Cruise always gives 100% in all of his movies.  He really sells his stunt work and I like his interpretation of the Jack Reacher character in Lee Child's best selling books.
• Cobie Smulders is really great in this film too.  She looks great and keeps up with Tom’s physicality.  She has come a long way since the hit TV show "How I Met Your Mother."  It was fun watching their relationship develop as they learned to work together to solve the puzzle that was keeping them running as fugitives.
• We get to see a softer, more personal side of Jack Reacher.
•  Kick-butt fight scenes.  There is nothing mamby pamby about this movie.
• Robert Knepper always does a great job as a bad guy.  I loved/hated him in "Prison Break."
• "Intense retail therapy."    ha ha   (rich girl at the school)

Things I didn’t like:

• Movie reviewers have been critical of how formulaic this action movie is.  Well yeah, it kind of is.
• Some of the scenes take place in New Orleans.  Director Edward Zwick could have really featured its charm, but instead, the location comes off as a frat party.  Wait a second...that IS New Orleans.
•  There are a lot of faceless goons that come out of nowhere that Jack Reacher has to beat up.
• The story is a bit confusing, so don't think about it too much.
• Danika Yarosh's character (Samantha) was super annoying.
• It feels like a long movie.  On the one hand, you feel like you're getting your money's worth.  On the other hand, you kind of want it to end.

Tough guy lines:

• “Who the hell are you?” – bad sheriff (Jason Douglas)

“I’m the guy you didn’t count on.” – Jack Reacher

• “You think you’re above the law, but I’m not the law.  You better star running, because I’m going to start hunting.” – Jack Reacher
• “Two things are going to happen in the next 90 seconds…” – Jack
• "I don't like being followed." - Jack, Samantha
• "Ten minutes is a very long time, as you're about to learn." - General Harkness (Robert Knepper)
• It's time we stop running and start hunting." - Jack

Tough girl lines:

• “Not sure you could handle me.” – Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders)

“I’m not worried.” – Jack

“Worry.  Just a little.” - Susan
*  "I don't want them as bad as you.  I want them more." - Susan

Interesting lines:

• “Some people still wonder why you left.” – Susan

“Let’s just say one day I woke up and the uniform didn’t fit.” - Jack

Funny lines:

• “You have a very interesting way of saying thank you.” – Jack Reacher
•  "This is insane." - Susan
•  "Does this mean dinner's off?" - Jack
• "Why do I feel like you're enjoying this?" - Susan
• "You have a weird way of saying than you." - Susan
• "People talk to me.  It's a thing." - Samantha
• "Never underestimate the charm of a seedy motel." - Jack

Tips for parents:   
* This movie is full of brutal hand-to-hand violence, blood, gore, explosions, guns, and perilous situations.
* There is a scene where you see Cobie Smulders in a bra.
* Lots of profanity.

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