MI3

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2019)

One thing I will say about this one, it's probably the most intense and intimate Mission Film. You really begin to get a sense of who Ethan Hunt is and become invested in him as a character. JJ Abrams brings that emphasis on story and emotional investment to the table in this one. And like all of his films, it's got a nice visual flair, its energetic, entertaining, and a lot of fun. Even the way its shot, with all the close ups, it just feels more personal and intimate...in MI3 Ethan Hunt, engaged and retired from field work, is brought back onto the field to rescue a former protege of his and soon becomes embroiled in a personal conflict with an arms dealer played brilliantly by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Arguably the best villain of the series...Michelle Monaghan is a natural talent, pretty and showing vulnerability, and I fully bought her relationship with Ethan. Aaron Paul pops up as Ethan's brother in law, I was just left wanting more of his comedic relief after the few scenes he is in... Benji appears for the first time in the series, a little fatter and before his days as a field agent and Ethan's close friend...it's a solid movie. It is the first glimmer of what was to come with Ghost Protocol and beyond. But the seed of that idea began here, it just hadn't been fully formed. The filmmakers are slowly putting the pieces in place to get back to what Mission Impossible is supposed to be. The team effort is emphasized more, the musical motifs from the original series are revived, and Ethan Hunt as a character is clearly defined. I love the ending. Its not like the last two, its not any big stunt or action sequence, its action packed for sure, and very tense, but its all driven by character....Might be my least favorite overall, it doesn't stand out in the way some of the others do, its perfectly serviceable, and well executed, but it is fairly conventional with its script...But still good!