Shallow sfx movie.

Rating: 8/10 (30 December 2011)

This movie is not junk. It even has some engaging moments. The problem is the story - it has about as much substance as mush. This story is so simplistic and cartoon-like that it can't be taken seriously and since the movie is not a comedy, that is a problem. An action-thriller does not need to be shallow. Also, the story lacks plausibility. Now, the acting is good and Tom Cruise gives a credible performance, but he doesn't carry the movie. The other actors have to pitch in and they dominate the movie. When Tom Cruise is dangling 2,000 feet in the air and the audience is snickering, that means the movie has a problem because that scene is not meant to instill laughter, and besides the audience already knows that his character will live, so what's the point? Also, the story's plot is ridiculous, especially how it vilifies the Russians, which is really ridiculous, especially given the current international political environment. The movie has a lot of action scenes and moves at a brisk pace, but that's all the is, and that just isn't enough to make the movie worth watching.