Review: Jack Reacher

The problem isn't that Tom Cruise is too small to play Jack Reacher, its that his performance as the drifter/detective is far too similar to his turn as Ethan Hunt to make the film stand out.

That said, being reminiscent of the Mission Impossible films means that what you do get from Jack Reacher is more than decent, but in place of huge action set pieces and aerial stunts you get lots of hand to hand combat and a few chase scenes thrown in, meaning this also has echoes of the Bourne series of films - and this is definitely a class above the recent Bourne Legacy reboot.

The film's trump card could've been Werner Herzog as the elusive über villain, but the problem is he's just too darn elusive - only popping up for 2 or 3 scenes. When he does appear, he oozes menace and you find it hard to believe you're watching a 12a with some of the grizzly stuff he gets up to.

The film slightly overstays its welcome with a running time over 2 hours and a story that finishes about 15 minutes before the film actually does, but Jack Reacher is worthy of another shot at starting a series, even if its managed to scale the heights of other similar films so far.

Films of 2012: 21 Jump Street

Jonah Hill is the most likeable he's been in a comedy for ages, but Channing Tatum steals all the scenes he's in, sending up his beefcake image and showing a natural ability for physical comedy and timing.

Films of 2012: Argo

Ben Affleck is often the butt of many of Kevin Smith's jokes - but with Argo he is now 3 for 3 in films that are better than anything Kevin Smith has ever done.

Films of 2012: Avengers Assemble

The most fun of the superhero blockbusters this year - if you can overlook the fact the first 20 minutes are a bit dull and that the whole plot kind of contradicts everything that happened in Thor, The Avengers was an experience made to be enjoyed on the big screen.

Films of 2012: End of Watch

End of Watch is everything Michael Mann's 2006 remake of Miami Vice should have been. There's actually chemistry between the two leads, an exciting plot and a shooting style that complements the down to earth, gritty feel.

Films of 2012: Headhunters

Lumped in with the rest of Nordic Noir, Headhunters is actually a welcome return to those 90s films where Tommy Lee Jones was always hot on someone's trail.

Films of 2012: The Hunger Games

While other franchises aimed at the teen market have struggled with their first films, The Hunger Games nails it right from the start, with plenty of thrills that never patronise - and another great performance from Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.