Just finished it, it's enjoyable and it worked well with the way things were after the movie series with Tom Cruise, i get the comparisons with Bosch, wish they'd do more of that, there was rumours of moving to the private eye books, at least Amazon are doing some decent stuff to take over from Bosch, Expanse, etc.
I have the same feeling about Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Robert Carlyle in Trainspotting. They are both excellent actors but the characters in the books were much bigger guys and I found it distracting seeing little guys in those roles.
Been some time since I read either of those books (need to revisit both) but never felt that either character was big in a Reacher type of way. Hard yes (and a psycho in the case of Begbie) but not necessarily large per se. Having grown up with someone on whom Begbie could easily have been modelled (albeit London not Leith) I can confirm that often the real nutters aren't the biggest of guys.
Agree with a lot of the comments re size being right, but not grizzled enough, looks too preppy. Also the fight scenes seemed a bit formulaic in the trailer..
Never read the books but did enjoy the Movie. I can see why Tom Thumb wasn't the best choice seeing the size of this guy. 🙂
Good to see Will Robinson back from space
Hard yes (and a psycho in the case of Begbie) but not necessarily large per se.
In the book, Begbie was a big guy, covered in tattoos and scars, and totally psycho.
The dear wife and I have just watched and enjoyed episode 1.
Looking forward to seeing the rest.
Enjoyed it but it all got a bit silly towards the end. Especially when he appeared to have superhuman strength.
I can confirm that often the real nutters aren’t the biggest of guys.
Far from it I agree. Begbie worked as he was borderline psycho, Carlisle played him very well.
Watched it, I’ve seen the films and haven’t read the books. I just don’t get the fuss on here and in the series about his size, nor why they make a thing of him getting clothes. I couldn’t give a stuff how tall he is
Watched it, I’ve seen the films and haven’t read the books. I just don’t get the fuss on here and in the series about his size, nor why they make a thing of him getting clothes. I couldn’t give a stuff how tall he is
That's because you've not read the books. A lot of stuff is explained in the books that you don't get from the film's or this series.
Just watched the last one. Utter bollocks.
Enjoying it so far. It's doing what it says on the tin - its a pretty faithful adaptation of the books. The books are airport fiction/light reading, this seems to be the TV show equivalent of that.
Watched it, I’ve seen the films and haven’t read the books. I just don’t get the fuss on here and in the series about his size, nor why they make a thing of him getting clothes. I couldn’t give a stuff how tall he is
The books have a HUGE following, and part of the appeal of doing a movie/tv show of the books is the fan-base that they would inherit. The closer to the books they make it, the more the fans will like it....... something that the Cruise versions really fell down on (starting with the casting of an abnormally short man as a character who's supposed to be abnormally large).
Never read any books nor seen the tom cruise “reacher” so gave it a try but lost interest after 3rd episode, it’s all a bit like a modern take on those wee commando comics I read as a kid and the acting/storyline is just as two dimensional.
That’s kinda the point though. That’s basically what the Teacher books are. My Mrs enjoys them, I’ve read a few when on holiday and run out of my own stuff to read and they are what they are, basically holiday reading but they are as good as that genre gets.
The series is quite good fun imo, it’s managed to get a lot of the feel of the books on to screen including the lightweight, superficial nature of them. It’s light hearted entertainment not high drama, watch with that in mind.
it’s all a bit like a modern take on those wee commando comics I read as a kid and the acting/storyline is just as two dimensional.
That's exactly what it is. It's entertaining because it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It hasn't hit the motherlode of Stupid that The Witcher is mining but those two are my current favorite preposterously dumb entertainment.
Yeah, it definitely peaked early. We finished it last night. The first couple of episodes were quite good, the fourth utter nonsense and it trailed off from there.
I really like the books but probly won't bother if they make another series.
I've not read the books but after two episodes I'd rate it 10/10 on the barely watchable cheeseometer.
The series is quite good fun imo, it’s managed to get a lot of the feel of the books on to screen including the lightweight, superficial nature of them. It’s light hearted entertainment not high drama, watch with that in mind.
I'm quite enjoying it, it's just a harmless hour of entertainment.
But then I've not read the books and I quite liked the two Reacher films with Tom Cruise as well so 🤷♂️
The books are death and action light hearted fun. The TV show is death and action light hearted fun. If you’re looking for more you should really look elsewhere
I always took the books as being a bit of a tongue-in-cheek poke at the 'loner, action hero' genre which somehow morphed into a publishing phenomenon. Each book got more ludicrous and the hero's caricatured traits became more pronounced, until it reached (sorry) absurd proportions.
The way the series is done reminds me of that - the main character is played straight to the point of ridiculousness - I think Alan Ritchson is deliberately playing it that way, rather than being a crap actor - and the supporting cast offer somewhat knowing call-backs to the books and ironically raised eyebrows.
Now, I'm not suggesting it's a genre-busting post-modern satire or anything - it's total hokum - but no less enjoyable for that.
I do think that if you haven't read any of the books, the character may seem somewhat baffling though.
I'm at ep5 it's enjoyable nonsense, but it's exactly that nonsense. 😆
The films are better. Haven't read the books.
bit harsh 🤣 The last episode is ridiculous (more so) though, especiallyJust watched the last one. Utter bollocks.
the thing is, the guy in the series isn't [I]that[/I] huge, so they constant references - and they really do ratchet it up as the series goes on - to giant/monster/8' tall etc etc actually gets a bit comical - if you're not aware of his supposed stature in the books then it doesn't really make any sense!! As well as the constant camera angles where they film looking upwards at him standing next to his tiny co-stars 😃I just don’t get the fuss on here and in the series about his size, nor why they make a thing of him getting clothes. I couldn’t give a stuff how tall he is
That said, enjoyed it and would happily watch more 👍 Agree with the comparisons to A-Team & Quincy although
the gunfight which has many ludicrous moments,
*haven't watched yet, its on my list*
based on the trailer, its Killing Floor, the first book.
I recall a shotgun that could massacre a room in one blast.
Written in the pre internet age, some of the early ones had some amusing concepts relating to older cars, cold war military operations, and of course guns; its almost part of the fun to try to figure out the pop culture reference that a key plot point is built upon.
based on the trailer, its Killing Floor, the first book
it is, says so in the opening credits
Season 2 confirmed
Sweet!
Ep 5 is spectacularly stupid. Best use of "Enhance Image" ever. Plus walking away from car crash into river. Brilliant stuff.
Seen the first two episodes and enjoying it so far. Never read the books but didn't mind the movies, I know not everyone was a fan of Tom Cruise but I thought they were enjoyable.
I know not everyone was a fan of Tom Cruise but I thought they were enjoyable.
Yep, if you ignored the source material for the main character, they were fine. Really odd choice of casting though!
Ep 5 is spectacularly stupid. Best use of “Enhance Image” ever.
Zoom and Enhance cliche!
OK I'm persevering but it's really fallen off a cliff in quality since the first couple of episodes IMO - still just about watchable.
In the same airport novel ballpark the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series also on Prime is pretty decent. Less cartoonish than Reacher.
Edit: trying not to do a spoiler but there was just the line "a dawn fog as thick as my dead daddy's bankroll" 😂😂
That's a bit of a 'jumping the shark' moment right there
Watched the first episode this evening and really enjoyed it. Have read all of the books (apart from the first couple that I read out of sequence because Echo Burning was the first one I tried) in sequence. Personally, I really like them. They are not deep works of fiction and aren't meant to be. They are lightweight stories with a bit of tongue in cheek humour. With a long running series there are going to be places where it falters and the recent books haven't been as good as the early ones but I still like reading them. I thought the first film was pretty good (aside from the obvious casting issues) once I had decided to ignore the fact that it was supposed to be Reacher and just went with the flow. It helped that the film was also based on one of the best of the Reacher books. The second one suffered because the plot line was weak. Those that comment on the fuss made about the small things (Reacher's height and the clothes etc) - as you haven't read the books you are missing why they are important details. Sure, it's not the biggest thing in the world but it's those small details that make up who Reacher is and why he does what he does. Anyway, will see how the rest of the series goes but happy with it so far.
That said, enjoyed it and would happily watch more 👍 Agree with the comparisons to A-Team & Quincy although
Littlest Hobo does the A-Team with a bit of Scooby Doo.
I have read a lot of the books, and I enjoy them. They're just kind of silly action books. As a result I have really quite enjoyed the first couple of episodes. I'll watch the series to the end I've no doubt.
Season 2 confirmed
Feel sorry for the rest of the cast-
“Good news everyone, we’ve got a 2nd series- Reacher moves onto another town.”
I enjoy the books & this started off pretty good but got a bit clichéd and formulaic in the later episodes. The enjoyable thing about the books that doesn’t come across so well in this, is how his thought process & choices are explained in exactly how he is gonna ruin someone’s day. The author’s cameo in the final diner scene wasn’t subtle either.
got a bit clichéd and formulaic
The author’s cameo in the final diner scene wasn’t subtle either.
I’ve no idea what he looks like.
This is what I wanted to say but I didn't think of it.
Well, that was fantastic. Series 2 can't come soon enough.
This is what I wanted to say but I didn’t think of it.
I dunno if I'd even class it as good pizza though. More like a dirty burger that's kind of satisfying but makes you feel a bit queasy after a few bites.
I've only watched part of then first one but even the opening scene isn't Reacher- he's walking along with his boots undone and one trouser leg half way up his leg like a rapper.
The actor is:
- too young
- too good looking
- too perfect - no scars etc
- too big - gym / protein shake "big" not "army" / street fighting big
- too metrosexual - I half expected him to pull out some organic hemp & chia seed hand moisturiser while he was waiting for the peach pie
It went downhill from there but I'm sure will be good entertainment for anyone who hasn't read the books and the majority of people that are less grumpy than me today 🙂
It's great, perfect nonsense plot devices to keep it moving at an artificial pace.
It does fail on one essential revenge series/film essential. The baddies die too quick, needs to be some lingering revenge deaths in the mix.
Nice to see a main "hero" character that isn't weedy being portrayed as on the Autism Spectrum.
It is very good Pizza TV...
what?! He is 100% on the autism spectrum and has many of those traits - do you know any neurotypical people who act like him? Interesting that you exclusively equate autism with weakness, though 🤔Nice to see a main “hero” character that isn’t weedy being portrayed as on the Autism Spectrum.
he’s walking along with his boots undone
I recalla quote in one of the books that after buying quality shoes on a trip to Englans , he ALWAYS wore Church's. Can't recall which book though
edit - sorry, it was Cheaney shoes
what?! He is 100% on the autism spectrum and has many of those traits – do you know any neurotypical people who act like him? Interesting that you exclusively equate autism with weakness, though
Might want to read his post again. He's saying that anyone on the spectrum is usually portrayed as someone weak, and this man-mountain is a nice change.
😳 yep, 100%, apologies @BillOddie, totally misread your post!! whoops!!!Might want to read his post again. He’s saying that anyone on the spectrum is usually portrayed as someone weak, and this man-mountain is a nice change.
It does fail on one essential revenge series/film essential. The baddies die too quick, needs to be some lingering revenge deaths in the mix.
This is one of the nuances where it helps to have read the books and understand his character. Reacher (in the books) is logical, efficient, ruthless and driven by a strong set of morals rather than emotion. He would seek revenge such that he'll kill everyone involved with the death of someone close to him, but he wouldn't linger. Killing someone is the outcome and he'll get to that as quickly and efficiently as possible.
@<span class="bbp-author-name">zilog6128</span>
<div class="bbp-author-role">No worries! I'm on the spectrum as is my son.</div>
<div>Non-neurotypical generally means Nerd with glasses in hollywood, which boils my piss.</div>
Killing someone is the outcome and he’ll get to that as quickly and efficiently as possible.
That fight in the swimming pool with the crowbar didn't really make much sense. He could have just shot the guy right at the beginning, surely. Also quite impressive how he came out with so much as a bruise and then was running around afterwards like nothing had happened.
The actor is:
– too young
– too good looking
– too perfect – no scars etc
– too big – gym / protein shake “big” not “army” / street fighting big
– too metrosexual – I half expected him to pull out some organic hemp & chia seed hand moisturiser while he was waiting for the peach pie
not sure if the exact age is canon, but publishers weekly says of killing floor:
"36-year-old ex-military policeman Jack Reacher persuades a Greyhound bus driver to make an unscheduled stop in Margrave,"
He does - roughly - age over the book series. More recent ones have hinted him being in his 50s (and has stopped sleeping with every female lead)
Alan Richardson is 37, 36 at time of filming.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2024927/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Apart from the Beirut bomb blast, most of his injuries are picked up over the course of his documented adventures not his army career.
Reacher
bloody brilliant
A little bit overly ultra-violent
don’t think about how preposterous the entire thing is
it’s all a bit like a modern take on those wee commando comics I read as a kid and the acting/storyline is just as two dimensional.
utter nonsense
spectacularly stupid
like a dirty burger that’s kind of satisfying but makes you feel a bit queasy after a few bites
perfect nonsense plot devices to keep it moving at an artificial pace
Sounds amazing. I have got to see this haha
(I also really like The Witcher)
That fight in the swimming pool with the crowbar didn’t really make much sense
Haven't seen that episode yet and can't remember that part of the book, maybe the TV adaptation is catering for some of this after all?!
The baddies die too quick, needs to be some lingering revenge deaths in the mix.
I'm enjoying Reacher.
That's probably because I haven't read any of the books.
I used to read books then watch the film\TV show and inevitably end up disappointed.
Now I tend to watch the show first (if possible) then read the book. It's much better.
I ruined the Expanse by watching half of the first season (great) then reading four of the books. When I came back to the TV show I couldn't watch it. It was too shallow.
Even when you know the rough plot it doesn't tend to spoil most books as they just have so much more in them. GoT for example.
I approached the TV show hoping it would be like the books and it is; trashy, easy watch/read entertainment. Expecting award winning TV is setting yourself up for disappointment..
I recalla quote in one of the books that after buying quality shoes on a trip to Englans , he ALWAYS wore Church’s. Can’t recall which book though
edit – sorry, it was Cheaney shoes
I spotted that right away too.
In the TV show, the Mum looks good for someone that was in the Resistance in WW2!
In the TV show, the Mum looks good for someone that was in the Resistance in WW2!
THey did say they've updated things - there weren't many smnartphones in the original books given they came out late 1990s, for instance. I'm guessing that they'll say his grandmother was inthe resistance
– too big – gym / protein shake “big” not “army” / street fighting big
It's said that Instagram fitness stars and MTU actors, for example, are distorting what a 'fit' natural body looks like. The fact is that almost anyone who needs or wants a 'good' body is on some sort of pharma-help these days, even if it's just TRT, and that even includes female cross-fitters many of whom are even buffer than the old East German female athletes who were mocked for drug uptake.
Got stuck in last night and found myself 4 episodes deep before I knew it. Was a bit challenged by his whole silence thing at the start, and the fact I have him in my head as older and rugged as opposed to young and smooth, but absolutely loving it. Amazon have nailed the ending of each episode to keep you wanting the next one NOW!
It has been years since I read any of the books and I think in my head I am mixing up Reacher with Jack Ryan. Which one of them had the mates he would team up with to get the job done? Was that Ryan?
I used to read books then watch the film\TV show and inevitably end up disappointed.
I'm the same but still prefer to read the book first in most cases. I'm not sure it matters too much with Reacher as while the books provide more detail, they are still easy reading and the detail/background doesn't matter so much when it comes to the TV show (IMO). It's not like Lord of the Rings for example where you miss loads of sub plots, character background, etc that potentially ruins the film. Or maybe I'm mellowing in old age.
Just the last episode to go.
Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Just like the books, all of which I've read, it's easy, disengage brain entertainment.
Good, honest fun, utterly preposterous. Somewhat unbelievable how unmatched the end boss was to Reacher, given their previous interactions.
Just finished watching this. Never read the books so don't give a flying shit what he is supposed to look like or be, probably why I liked the Tom Cruise films.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series, enjoyed all the main characters and not just Reacher, and really hope they do another.
I must admit that I am enjoying the Prime series... the actor has captured the essence of the book's character....way better than what TC ever did...
and has anyone noticed that Detective Findlay is one and the same actor that appeared in the "Party Rock Anthem" music video (handing out the earplugs on the street).....bloody sad that I recognised him.....it was his mannerisms that made me realize that I had seen him somewhere else.....
I look forward to another series....and also I didn't enjoy the last 2 Reacher books.... Lee Child's brother has added a new unwanted dynamic to the titular character..... just doesn't feel the same Reacher to my mind....
Not read the last book but the previous one had him talking way too much. Will probably read the latest one at some point.
Great watch
Enjoyed it and he made me laugh.
Mrs weeksy enjoyed it lots too, can't imagine why!
Never really investigated (ha!) any of the Reacher books, but I’ve use read this article about the character and the film/series, which neatly answers some of those criticisms being made on here, and it’s made me very interested in reading the books, and actually want to watch the series.
Think I must be watching something else, my wife likes it but after 4 episodes I think it’s dreadful. Not read the books, probably wouldn’t have anyway but certainly wont now.
Mrs weeksy enjoyed it lots too, can’t imagine why!
Roscoe? 😉
So did the series. It’s kind of what he does to travel light.
I haven't read the books but he was a military officer, right? So he must be well versed in how to do laundry and ironing. He just doesn't do it because it's easier to just go to a thrift shop?
He wears the same clothes for ages, just washes them as needed.
Finally got round to watching the first two episodes after seeing this thread.
It’s just every Steven seagull straight to dvd film spun out over 8 hours.
Will watch more!
Amazon have nailed the ending of each episode to keep you wanting the next one NOW!
Top tip of you want to go to bed at a reasonable hour - switch off half way through an episode at a natural lull. No cliff hanger to make you keep watching, then watch the end and half of the next one tmrow etc. Works.
Or just go to bed after you’ve watched one.
Each time I revisit this thread I’m baffled as to what some expect from a tv show. People must walk around life just eternally disappointed because they have such high expectations.
I don’t know how anyone who likes this genre could not enjoy it.
He wears the same clothes for ages, just washes them as needed.
So do I. I assumed everyone did that.
I think folks are alluding to the fact that Reacher travels without luggage, buying clothes as required, washing and ironing (laying his clothes under the mattress) does happen.
He wears the same clothes for ages, just washes them as needed.
No, when they get too dirty he bins them and buys new, according to the books. Was surprised to see them in the thrift store in Ep1, but made sense
