Bestselling author Lee Child’s character, Jack Reacher, comes to television in a dynamic new series.
First appearing in Lee Child’s 1997 book Killing Floor, Jack Reacher has thrilled and entertained readers. Many fans were excited when a Jack Reacher movie was announced, but Hollywood, being Hollywood, decided to go with star power instead of the logical choice. They went with Tom Cruise. We got 2 Jack Reacher movies. While the movies weren’t bad, they did not encompass the character he was described in the novels. I get these were adaptations, but it really didn’t feel like they captured the novel. Amazon picked up Reacher as a TV show and this time they got it right.
The plot of the series centers around the first book, Killing Floor, where Jack Reacher, former Army military police major, gets off a bus in the town of Margrave, Georgia. While about to eat a meal, he’s quickly arrested and charged for murder. After clearing his name, Reacher gets wrapped in a conspiracy that could destroy the whole town of Margrave. Never over his head, Reacher is determined to find the culprits and make them pay.
So, I’m a huge fan of the Reacher books so I was excited when I heard about this series. Developed by Nick Santora, the first season follows the plot of Killing Floor. Santora really did his homework here. It was a great adaptation that was spread evenly through 8 episodes. A nice start with a great ending
Alan Ritchson plays that titular character of Reacher. Ritchson isn’t exactly a household name, but you might know his face by some of his body of work. He played Aquaman in Smallville, Thad Castle in Blue Mountain State, and Hawk in Titans. Ritchson even played the turtle Raphael in the 2014 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
At 6′ 2″, Ritchson is a big guy, but I swear for this series, he seriously bulked up. So muscular, but this is how I always saw Jack Reacher in my mind’s eye. The personality of Reacher is there too. Ritchson just seriously nails it.
Malcolm Goodwin plays Margrave Police Department Chief Detective Oscar Finley. It’s been years since I’ve read Killing Floor, so I don’t remember Finley that well. Goodwin though does a great job playing a partner to Reacher. Finley is a by-a-book detective, so he constantly clashes with Reacher. And the back and forth between the two of them is just so entertaining. Goodwin really does a great job playing the straight man to Ritchson.
Willa Fitzgerald plays Officer Roscoe Conklin. She is so far from a helpless damsel here. Roscoe is smart, witty, and takes no bs from anyone. She really has a pivotal role in this series. Fitzgerald carries this character so well.
Bottom line, I really loved this show. I might be biased because I’m familiar with the character and love the book series. Reacher keeps you entertained and glued to the screen as you wait to see what happens next. Highly recommend this.
Reacher premiers on February 4 on Amazon Prime Video.
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