No-one ever went broke underestimating... etc.

Rating: 6/10 (22 April 2012)

Lea Sedoux and Jeremy Renner bring a depth to their characters that's at odds with every other aspect of this film. It's an expensive cartoon and if that's what you want, then you'll be quite happy. If, on the other hand, you're over twelve or have an IQ into triple digits, you're in for a disappointment. Moderately smart ten year olds should not waste their (parents') money. It has its moments but they're lost in a welter of ill-judged humor, preposterous stunts and worse plot devices. The first half hour or so is particularly bad as it becomes clearer and clearer that no one has any clue what kind of a film they're making. I didn't think it could get any worse - and then Tom Wilkinson turned up! Thankfully, it's only a cameo role and the film starts to improve. Some of the Dubai stuff is really quite good but then it begins to get silly again. MI was almost in Third Man territory for it's first twenty minutes or so. MI3 proved that the franchise works well as a James Bond alternative, offering a similar mix of locations, glamour, action, beautiful women and fast cars. I wonder what MI5 will bring. By the way, the acronyms are getting confusing. IMF, MI5? A John le Carre financial thriller?