Amazon Prime has released the first three episodes of Reacher season 4, and early reviews are calling it a return to form for the action series, with some critics hailing it as the best installment yet. The show, starring Alan Ritchson as the titular Jack Reacher, currently holds an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, the lowest of the series but still a strong showing.
New Season, New Conspiracy
In this latest season, Reacher's mission begins when he encounters a woman crying on a subway train, who then shoots herself. This incident plunges him into a conspiracy involving corrupt politicians and a character needing a bone marrow transplant for leukemia. The plot, adapted from Lee Child's novel Gone Tomorrow, is brought to screen by showrunner Nick Santora, blending Reacher's formidable fighting skills with his signature dry wit.
The season's early episodes have been met with praise. A review from Roger Ebert suggests it 'might be the best yet,' noting, 'It has everything that launched Reacher into a monster hit: compelling cases, brutal high-octane action, three-dimensional characters with stakes, killer quips and a lead who straddles the four quadrants like a deadpan yet sexy and highly skilled blend of Batman and the Punisher.'
Critical Acclaim and Mixed Reactions
The Radio Times awarded the season five stars, with a review stating, 'It might be the best Reacher team yet, with each member of it espousing, in a different way, the series’s philosophy of refusing to take no for an answer if that answer is given in bad faith by a dodgy authority figure.' The review also praised Ritchson's performance: 'As for Reacher himself, his deadpan humour remains impeccable. Watching him deliberately give literal answers to stupid questions never gets old, and neither does the pleasure he takes in insulting people immediately if they set off his finely tuned pomposity radar.'
However, not all critics are in agreement. Some have suggested the formula that made Reacher a hit is becoming stale, while others are celebrating its return to form. This Marmite reaction is typical for the series, which has built a loyal fanbase since its debut in February 2022.
From Page to Screen Success
The character of Jack Reacher originated in Lee Child's novels, which have sold millions of copies. Tom Cruise previously portrayed Reacher in two films, but it is Ritchson's portrayal in the Amazon series that has been ranked among the best action shows ever made. The first season premiered in February 2022 to a modest reception but quickly became the first Amazon original series to top Nielsen's streaming ratings the week after its premiere.
With season 4 now underway, fans can expect the same blend of extreme violence and dry humor that has defined the series. The first three episodes are now available on Amazon Prime, with the rest of the season set to roll out in the coming weeks.
