REACHER Season 1 A Spoiler Free Review
The Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child have amassed over 27 novels, multiple short stories, and two successful movies starring Tom Cruise. Now the famous ex-military roamer is coming to Prime Video this week in an eight-episode series starring Alan Ritchson as the ex-military roamer. Season One of Reacher is based on Lee Child’s first Jack Reacher novel Killing Floor and is written for television by Emmy-nominated writer Nick Santora (Scorpion, Prison Break), who also executive produces and serves as showrunner for the series.
The overall concept of the Jack Reacher saga follows the ex-US Army major, as he roams the United States taking odd jobs and investigating suspicious and frequently dangerous situations. He is a drifter, carrying no phone and the barest of essentials as he travels the country and explores the nation he once served.
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The first season of Reacher is an adaptation of the first novel Killing Floor. The story follows Reacher when he arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, he finds a community grappling with its first homicide in 20 years. The cops immediately arrest him and eyewitnesses claim to place Reacher at the scene of the crime. While he works to prove his innocence, a deep-seated conspiracy begins to emerge, one that will require Reacher’s keen mind and hard-hitting fists to deal with.
Overall, Reacher is a thrill ride with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Nick Santora did a great job adapting Killing Floor to the small screen. The story keeps the elements of Reacher without making it an exact copy of the novel. The best thing about this show is the cast. Alan Richtson’s portrayal of Reacher is spot on from the novels. His mannerisms and interactions with the rest of the cast is pretty damn close to the novels. The only issue that I had with Richtson is he is too damn beautiful to be Reacher.
In the novels, Lee Child describes the character as having a rough physique full of scars from his service in the military. While Richtson’s size and mannerism capture the essence of Reacher, he doesn’t carry any scars that would resemble someone who served multiple tours in the military. While this may be an issue for some viewers it won’t deter them from enjoying the show. The chemistry between Alan Richtson, Malcolm Goodwin, and Willa Fitzgerald is what makes this show special. While Alan portrays Reacher perfectly it is the work of Malcolm and Willa that really brings out the best of Reacher’s character.
If you’re a fan of the novels you will enjoy this show. If you’re a fan of the movies you will enjoy the show. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries you will enjoy this show. Basically, if you give this show a chance you will enjoy it.
GRADE: A