One of the worst miscasts of all time
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Unknownian — 12 years ago(November 18, 2013 03:05 PM)
I think in this case, Tom Cruise needs to get over himself. He didn't belong in this movie, and I don't know how he could ever look at himself in the mirror again after doing it. He truly sucked in it, and the movie was so bad it was comical. I laughed all the way through it.
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proteus122 — 12 years ago(January 06, 2014 09:43 PM)
Personally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle but as an actor I've got no hate for him. But like you said he was way miscast here. I'm not a fan of Lee Child or Reacher but in the one book I read Reacher is a monster. 6'4" and two hundred and too much pounds. Cruise is small and slight, although I've got to say that he looked to be in fantastic shapeespecially considering he's 50.
They used him because he has draw but FFS why didn't they give him lifts so that he was, at least, the tallest man in the room? The lady lawyer was bigger than him. LOL! Oh yeah, they didn't use lifts and tricks of the camera because it would have wounded Cruise's ego. -
Unknownian — 12 years ago(January 07, 2014 07:57 AM)
When I said Cruise didn't belong in this movie, I meant the movie was so over the top stupid, it was below him to be in it. Yes..and to make it worse, this Reacher character is the toughest guy in the world it would appear, and so again Cruise didn't belong in the role.
What Cruise lacked in size, he tried to make up for with conceit and attitude. When you mix all that with the absolutely stupid script and Cruises size, it made for one of the most comical ridiculous flicks I've ever seen. -
SrEditor — 12 years ago(February 07, 2014 01:16 PM)
I thought it was more comical in the scenes where they obviously did put him on a platform or whatever.
There were a couple of those, like his first entry into the interview room when two other people were present. Not only did the camera look "down" over his shoulder to show the other two people, it was comically high above they're heads! -
Mellow-Fellow — 11 years ago(September 20, 2014 01:15 PM)
Personally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle
Everybody is starting to feel this way. I think he has become somewhat undesirable for a lot of genres. It seems like the only things he does now are sci-fi movies, and since I love sci-fi I see most of them. I really like the sci-fi stuff he does too. I wish he would quit being such a fuhk-ass. -
TRhett — 9 years ago(December 19, 2016 02:46 PM)
Personally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle but as an actor I've got no hate for him.
That just made my day! Perfect description (that I might have to steal) . . . even the haters can't deny the camera loves him, and he puts "butts in the seats" . . . LOL!
As for the height thing, I've noticed that in most of his movies, he IS as tall as everyone near him, or they "cheat" shots to make him seem taller in whatever environment he's in (except with Tim Robbins in WOTW - wasn't much they could do about that - he's a foot taller than TC). I've always wondered if TC has that written into his contracts? -
denislav-nu — 11 years ago(March 09, 2015 02:55 PM)
I Love the books, but can't think of anybody else than Cruise being Reacher on screen. He made this his own. What he lacks in height and blondness, he gained in talent and attitude. That's it. Great movie, great actor. People should stop whinin.
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paul_cowsill — 9 years ago(June 25, 2016 06:58 PM)
Reacher's fighting skill is bolstered by his huge size and great strength, so that he could pick up a giant (7' tall weighing 400 lbs.) in A Wanted Man, and drop him on his head, whereas my sister could kick Tom Cruise's ass.
Irony is like goldy or bronzy, but it's made of iron. -
Osmiumos — 10 years ago(April 30, 2015 12:25 AM)
It's not his height.
A major part of Reacher's character is that he is physically intimidating. He is huge and heavily muscled, but not gym sculpted.
A significant part of Reacher's character and appearance is his perfect nose and teeth - demonstrating that he has never been physically beaten.
The problem with casting an actor, any actor who doesn't have these physical characteristics is that It requires the very well established, invincible Reacher character and multiple associated plot lines to be adapted to allow a small man to play this role. None the least because other characters will perceive him differently and must respond differently because of his size.
The novels are the highest selling series in this genre in the USA and globally for the past decade.
They didn't need an A-list actor, there was already a large and established fan base.
They didn't need a comic book WWE wrestler with little/no film experience.
They could have cast a very experienced film stunt man of suitable proportions, a perfect nose and promise/potential as an actor. Someone who could lend authenticity to the role by doing their own stunts, someone who could embody the attributes of the Reacher character.
I know the ship has sailed. I understand we are stuck with Cruise and this is a business decision by the studio.
I have no complaints with Cruise's performance in the film. I like him in action roles with limited dialogue: Last Samurai, Oblivion
But his casting necessitates rewriting of the established role. He cannot play Reacher as depicted in the novels.
Hollywood has done it again, stuffed around with established stories and characters and in so doing has disrespected the established fan base. They just cannot help themselves - always wanting to "make it better".
So I will watch with interest to see how the lead character and stories are adapted for film, but I won't expect to see the Reacher character from the books. The films need to stand on their own.
I will watch with a tinge of disappointment that Hollywood has once again unnecessarily buggered an existing story and familiar characters. -
nnom — 9 years ago(December 26, 2016 12:51 AM)
I was re-watching the tv series Human Target, last episode, Jackie Earle Haley saying,"I don't run." when he heard they knew about his kid. And I had the random thought, you know, even JEH, with a slightly lesser build than tom cruise, would have done better as Jack Reacherbecause he can do the attitude.
For those thinking it was a miscast though, it wasn'tcruise bought the movie rights from Lee Child, a sale I hope Lee Child regrets to his grave. -
dragon_x — 11 years ago(April 25, 2014 10:59 PM)
by mcgill-646-33556 Thu Nov 14 2013 01:09:31
IMDb member since March 2013
Every single James Bond actor! No one has the scar on the right cheek!! Doesn't anyone read the source material anymore??? You guys really, really need to get over yourselves.
Maybe a little Clancy, but no Ian Fleming
The cast appeared fine for this movie. I did like the car chase. The car was well cast - old school muscle car driven by the x-military police 'agent' J. Reacher. I also think the people were well cast from the jr. bad guy to the old prisoner and even Tom Cruise and Rosemund Pike. Rosemund's accent was pretty good, too.
I suppose when you read the material an image forms in your mind. This could be like when you hear someone on the radio, yet 9 times out of 10 that person is nothing like you visualize. Of course in books there is often a description, which can be open to interpretation. The closed mind sees nothing. -
mcgill-646-33556 — 11 years ago(April 26, 2014 12:20 AM)
Maybe a little Clancy, but no Ian Fleming
I've read a little Jack Ryan and have no issue with any of the actors who have played him on the screen. I read all the JB novels after having seen a couple of the Connery movies. So I think I always pictured Sean when I was reading.
I suppose when you read the material an image forms in your mind. This could be like when you hear someone on the radio, yet 9 times out of 10 that person is nothing like you visualize.
totally agree, there.
I'm just of a mind that just because a certain actor is short, to believe he can't possibly play a character who is described as taller is just silly. I'm not by any means a Tom Cruise fan, either. I'm sure there are people out there totally appalled with Hugh Jackman's 6ft something Wolverine rather than the 5 foot 6 comicbook character. And we see how he totally ruined that! -
jeginvest — 10 years ago(April 10, 2015 05:51 PM)
Well said regarding pre-formed notions. Just one thing, Cruise is small and quick, which can be better fighting numerous opponents. Unless you are huge the added size does not out weigh the multiple opponents advantage.
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mathmaniac — 11 years ago(August 13, 2014 05:36 PM)
I have never read the Lee Childs novel so I can't compare Tom Cruise's depiction of Reacher to the character in the book.
Now, I never want to read the novel. I absolutely love this movie, but to me, it seems to be a graphic novel brought to life on the screen.
I don't want to change that opinion by reading the book.
I have watched this film several times because I just love the movie and Cruise in it. -
mickey-157 — 11 years ago(October 28, 2014 09:20 AM)
The movie was good, but the books are better. There are several Jack Reacher novels, and I'm about half way through them. I'm currently reading this one (One Shot) and the movie did deviate from some great moments in the book. I don't regret either one. Good movie. Great books. Just don't compare them with the storyline and characters. If you like these types of stories, grab one of the Reacher novels and give it a chance.
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