Slumberjak

Every once in a while, a story needs to break from the typical cadence, and drop the buildup, the conflict, the resolution, and instead provide an utterly invincible(or near invincible) protagonist that dispatches the baddies with ease and encounters almost no real opposition. The problem with this occasional god mode palate cleanser is you have to really sell such a herculean character to your audience. John Wick accomplishes this task in spades, with both enemies and allies speaking the name John Wick in whispered and reverent tones before we watch Reeve dispatch his opponents like so much wet paper. Every time Reeves bleeds is almost an affront to both the character and the viewer as he almost reluctantly tears his way through the film. The end result is one of the most satisfying action films since Reeves dodged bullets in slow-mo back in 99.

A perfectly watchable action film, and while not exactly memorable, still one you likely won't complain about afterwards. Cruise holds up as the unbeatable but far from invincible Reacher, and Cobie Smulders as well as Danika Yarosh both play nicely against him in their differing roles. It lacks the intrigue of the first film(and the novels), and there are a few dubious jumps of logic, as well as dialog left unexplored, but the plot is easily followed and enjoyed. The biggest failing is a hold over from the first film, where the big baddie is nearly useless and the true adversary is some lacky that is built up to be Reacher's equal. In the end, the conflict wraps up like a less interesting Bourne film rather than the climactic face off you're hoping for. All in all though, worth watching if you are feeling an action film and have seen the first Jack Reacher film, but otherwise, go for the first one.