A Few Good Men (1992)

The critic calls it a timeless thriller that showcases career-best work from its stars under Reiner's direction, with Nicholson and Cruise raising the bar on performances and Sorkin's sharp, intellectually charged dialogue singled out as the real star.

Nicholson steals scenes as the hard-nosed marine officer in this star-laden courtroom drama, with crisp direction from Reiner and compelling climactic fireworks between him and Cruise. The fine supporting cast and occasional talkiness are noted.

The film is a devilishly seductive entertainment that delivers familiar courtroom drama goods with flair despite a lack of originality in the script. It is impressively acted throughout and directed with much quiet skill.

The critic finds it a barnstorming courtroom drama that grips issues of patriotism, justice and accountability, with Nicholson as a compelling villain and Cruise carrying off the lead role splendidly in a first-rate actors' film.

The critic finds the courtroom drama considerably less interesting than similar films like A Soldier's Story, with slick and arbitrary plotting. Cruise is miscast and unconvincing as the lead lawyer, though Nicholson's menacing cameo is a highlight.

The critic finds the film a crisp, full-dress adaptation that will prove formidable at the box office, awards and with critics. Strong lead performances from Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson are singled out for praise, along with Rob Reiner’s savvy direction and the taut screenplay.

The review calls the film a yuppie version of 'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial' that puts on stale airs of importance and reduces moral issues to glorified banality. It faults the script's moral discussions and Reiner's foursquare visual style while noting strong turns from Nicholson and Bacon amid mostly routine performances.

The critic highlights Jack Nicholson's standout reptilian performance as the Marine colonel, which suffuses the entire production with weight and point. The film is described as a big, entertaining commercial courtroom drama adapted from the Broadway hit, directed with care and acted with conviction, though not as probing as some other military films.