Jack Reacher (2012)

Most people think so. 73% of audiences gave it a thumbs up, by Google's archived audience score. Critics gave it 57%.

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interrogation yields one written note: 'Get Jack Reacher!'. Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney. However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep. Wikipedia ↗

Jack Reacher is a 2012 American action thriller written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, based on Lee Child's novel One Shot. Tom Cruise stars as Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army military police investigator turned drifter who is drawn into the case of a sniper who killed five people in Pittsburgh.

When the accused man's attorney, played by Rosamund Pike, requests Reacher's involvement, his investigation reveals a conspiracy far more complex than a random shooting. Tom Cruise's casting was controversial among fans of the novels, as the literary Reacher is described as 6'5" and 250 pounds, while Cruise is notably shorter. However, Cruise brought his trademark intensity and physical commitment to the role.

Christopher McQuarrie's direction emphasized practical action and deductive reasoning over CGI spectacle. The car chase through Pittsburgh, performed with no music and minimal cutting, was praised for its old-school restraint. Jack Reacher earned $218 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.