A Great Thrill Ride, Far Superior to the Overrated Original

Rating: 8/10 (11 January 2016)

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched this movie. I wasn't expecting much because this movie got worse reviews than the snooze-fest that was the original. However, this movie managed to keep my attention a lot more than the original and had a lot more action.
People have criticized that the plot is more like James Bond than Mission Impossible. They're probably right, but at least the story is easy to follow in this one. I thought the twists with people wearing masks were actually pretty clever.
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt and once again proves that he can carry an action blockbuster with no problem. Thandie Newton is eye candy and plays a real role in the story. The main villain of the film, Sean Ambrose, played by Dougray Scott, makes this a love triangle. Ambrose is a decent if not great villain.
This movie has quite a lot of action. The motorcycle chase and subsequent hand-to-hand combat between Hunt and Ambrose at the end will give you the bang for your buck. There is also an exciting gun sequence at Ambrose's laboratory.
They scenery in Australia is really lovely and I liked the update of the M:I theme song. I don't like that Anthony Hopkins only had a minor role, though.
After the dull first installment, this movie was a breath of fresh air. The action and romance between the leads makes this a great summer blockbuster. It's not art, but it sure is fun.
RATING: B+