A solid tough-guy action mystery laced with moments of on-key sentimentality, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back utilities the intense persona of its star Tom Cruise while keeping viewers on their toes with its carefully constructed plot.

Tom Cruise is a man who loves a challenge. That is very clear when he took on the role of popular fictional hero Jack Reacher (despite an obvious difference in appearance when compared to descriptions in the source material), and made it his own in the highly underrated first movie (directed by Christopher McQuarrie.)

It's sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back see’s McQuarrie replaced by Edward Zwick, who previously worked with Cruise on the excellent The Last Samurai. In terms of quality, …Never Go Back is indeed a step backwards with Zwick not able to match McQuarrie’s gritty take on the character and the corrupt world in which he navigates in a quest for justice. Yet Zwick’s deft hand at filming action along with his on key handling of a murder mystery plot -that while hardly innovative is indeed engaging – elevates …Never Go Back above a packed field of ho-hum genre fare released this 2016 (Jason Bourne, Suicide Squad).

Based on the 8th novel in Lee Childs’ acclaimed series, the film follows Reacher as he goes on the run with army Major Susan Turner (Colbie Smoulders) after they are framed with treason and murder. Hellbent in clearing their name by solving a murder investigation involving clandestine operatives in Afghanistan, Reacher finds himself in a vulnerable position when his alleged biological daughter Samantha (Danika Yarosh) becomes a target.

The latter part adds an interesting dynamic to a character whose lone-wolf, nothing-to-lose persona is his greatest weapon in his fight against corrupt forces who prey on the weak. Much like the first movie, Cruise keeps that smiling charisma of his in check in his portrayal of a stone-cold warrior for justice, and it’s a suit that he wears well, with that intense, laser focused side of his persona used to precise and entertaining effect. It may not be Ethan Hunt/Mission Impossible levels of fun, but it is damn effective never the less.

Colbie Smoulders impressively matches Cruise in the intense-o-meter stakes, kicking ass with equal hard-hitting precision (even if a foray into gender politics does distract), and good too is young Danika Yarosh as Reacher’s is she/isn’t she daughter, playing the bratty teen with the right amount of attitude without crossing over into annoying territory.      

An almost rhythmic foray of kicks, punches and gunfire provides soundtrack to an action thriller that while hardly original, is delightfully old school cool in its approach to anti-heroes vs baddies. Mission: Impossible it certainly is not, yet Jack Reacher: Never Go Back damn sure stands tall in a year of mediocre action releases.