A Smart Effective Thriller

Rating: Null/10 (25 May 2003)

In days when big budget violent action films seem to captivate the world in the big screen it's nice to see an action blockbuster that has more than great stunts and effects to support it's weight. Adapted from the highly succesful TV show (Although it bears few similarities), this film sees IMF team betrayed and murdered leaving only agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) to solve the case and discovers more than he expected along the way. Brian De Palma crafted a really great film and Cruise delivers one of those "Great Tom Cruise Performaces" that he perfected in 'Risky Business', 'Cocktail' and 'Jerry Maguire'. It takes a while to get going with a promising first scene let down by several boring ones until the plot really kicks in leaving us with a good feeling as we leave the cinema at the end. It had the chance of being a simple James Bond rip off but, in the first few minutes, proves itself to be a very different kind of film although less complex than some of the Bond adventures. It wasn't until I finished watching it until I realised that there isn't a large amount of action at all in the film. It relies more on it's characters and plot than any action and as the film goes on, Cruise and De Palma pulls us into the increasingly complicated plot but without ever getting us too confused. The supporting cast are a miracle too. Jon Voight proves he's a walking bag of talent and surprises and Jean Reno stands out in his fairly small role. Add to that the likes of Emmanuelle Beart and Ving Rhames and you have an effective hi-tech intelligent thriller that grips you from the familiar theme tune at the start to the reprisal at the end. An excellent peice of filmmaking with an interesting sequel.