There is something beautiful in stupidity. It just has to be the right kind. The one that doesn't try to be clever. The one that doesn't wrap itself in irony or prestige TV ambition. And that's exactly what Reacher season 3 does: It stands proudly bare-chested, screaming “U-S-A” with a blasting charge in his hand. And we clap. With one hand. The other is holding the phone.
One star
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Five stars
Disclaimer: Apropos Magazine received access or a review copy. As always, we share our own impressions — unfiltered.
Six stars
You know exactly what you're getting when you press play. It's the steel gaze, the jaws like concrete blocks and men talking in short, effective sentences about revenge, morality and weapons. It's like opening a bag of salt chips and finding... salt chips. No crumbs. No law. And that is both the strength of the series and its huge problem.
It all starts (and ends) in a kind of ultra-violent version of “the man who knew too much,” just without anything he actually knows. Reacher -- our wall of a protagonist -- trudges into a case of murder, betrayal and ear-cutting. Yep. Someone has had his ear cut off, and of course this has to be worked out in minute detail through several scenes that could have been cut straight out of an episode of CSI: Walmart Edition.
The story could be written on half a post-it. An ugly post-it. With curls on. And yet the series insists on stopping and giving us dialogue like:
“We need answers.”
“Then let's get some.”
— “Copy that.”
It's almost zen-like, if it weren't so noisy.
But hell, it's also kind of nice. Because Reacher dare to be stupid. It's not trying to be a political commentary, it's not trying to portray PTSD, trauma, or gender roles in a modern military context. It's just going to kick the door in and give us one that hits hard. Very hard. And he does.
And so does the series when it finally shuts up and lets the muscles do the talking. The action scenes are solid -- like a good steak. You know, the one from the backyard barbecue, not the one from Noma. It's blood, sweat and exploding trucks. It's entertainment in its purest and most impertinent form.
Is that good? No. Is that funny? Yes. Especially if you expect nothing more than to laugh a little, shake your head a little, and look up from the phone every time someone says something like:
“He's behind you.”
“Well... I'm right here.”
And so is Reacher. Right here. Ready to do it all one more time. In season 4.
And you know what? I'm actually kind of excited.
Maybe one just needs something that doesn't require more than 12% brain capacity and a subscription. Maybe it's okay to be served entertainment with an iron fist and a nod to 'Murika! ' Maybe we should just let Reacher be Reacher. And he does. With one-liners, broken ribs and giant shoulders.
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
(... and a half post-it)
