The best movie so far, of the year ladies and gents!!

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2006)

I anxiously awaited Mission Impossible 3 because even the hint of a good action film excites me. But after a great first installment and then a very disappointing second installment, I didn't know what to expect. For the first time possibly in film history not only did Cruise and Wagner (producers) redeem the series but they brought it full circle and made a film BETTER than it's original which was incredible on it's own. Mission Impossible 3 just might be one of the best action films ever made PERIOD!! Also making it one of the best sequels ever PERIOD!! I thought maybe all the bad Tom Cruise press might make it's way into my head and cloud my judgment on the film but I came out with even more respect for Cruise who despite a publicized and annoyingly hounded personal life is probably one of the top actors out there today. On top of that new director to the series and TV Veteran J.J. Abrams breathed incredible new life into this series, giving the characters depth, and emotion, and humor, and unbelievable kick butt action scenes.
Tom Cruise returns to his role as the sharper than nails Ethan Hunt. His droll and rather foolish days of MI:2 are behind him and the quick witted, fast moving Hunt of MI:1 returns in full force. Cruise is larger than life, always has been and Mission Impossible 3 proves exactly why. He's the most intense, and passionate action actor out there. Knowing he does all his own stunts and the look in his eyes in every scene...he's the definition of a leading man. Ving Rhames also returns in his capacity as Cruise's sidekick and tech man Luther Stickel. This time around Stickel and in fact Cruise's entire team have triple the personality and character that they had before. Stickel is used far better than ever before but still uses Hunt and Stickel's existing relationship. Rhames might not look the part but he fits in perfectly with the rest of the cast and even looks like he belongs beside Cruise. He's an integral part of the MI series. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a new member of the team playing Declan, the multi-talented spy who is almost a younger version of Hunt it would seem. Rhys Meyers is a great actor in his own right having had big roles in Match Point, and TV's Elvis. So he's a welcome addition to the cast and the team. I really hope he continues to come back (I'm assuming MI:4 is in the works...should be 2014 if the trend continues.) The Final new member of the team is quiet but limber Zhen played by Chinese action star Maggie Q. A small role bit significant enough to establish that together with Rhames and Meyers, this is the best team the MI series has ever had. I actually cared about the rest of the team. Although I just can't bring myself to connect him in the same league as Jon Voight and Anthony Hopkins...Laurence Fishburne plays the MI leader and the experience in the cast. Fishburne has an intensity unmatched and he brings that to Mission Impossible 3. Although he might not quite have the extreme pull of Hopkins or Voight he fits in nicely. Ethan's new wife and the love of his life Julia is played by the beautiful Michelle Monaghan. Although fairly new to being front and center of a film she does it perfectly and her and Cruise have incredible chemistry and you actually care about the two of them together. I think she has a promising career ahead of her as a leading lady. Finally despite her very small role I have to mention Felicity herself Keri Russell. She's always been hot but wow...you gotta go see this movie just to watch Felicity kick some serious ass!! The scene with her and Cruise escaping the warehouse is amazing and she is just awesome!! Her scenes end far too soon!! Now I have saved the best for last...the diabolical, incredibly twisted and evil...the best bad guy I have seen in YEARS on film....Owen Davian played by the incredible Philip Seymour Hoffman. On the heels of his Oscar winning role as Truman Capote he takes a completely different role in an action film and absolutely NAILS IT!! Hoffman is unbelievable!! He is a star and will remain a star especially knowing now he can flawlessly do action!! He is scary and disturbing and a great villain. He is the best adversary Ethan Hunt has had yet AND he absolutely flawlessly shares the screen with Tom Cruise!! Bravo to Hoffman!!
What else can I say about this film?? I teetered on the line between a 9 and a perfect score and I have to go 10/10 not because the film is truly perfect but because of the way I FEEL about it. It's the best time I've had at the movies in a LONG LONG time. As I said before Abrams absolutely breathed new life into this series. He created everything Mission Impossible should be. Incredible, beautiful settings, globe trotting spy action and some very different different scenes. I think a little bit of sarcasm and humor is integral to a good action film and I think the screenwriters ALMOST overdid it...almost...but it fit nicely and it was a breath of fresh air and well delivered. As with any action film a certain amount of belief suspension is required and there are some awkward moments when things were shot a little strangely but it never once takes away from the film. Non-stop action doesn't even begin to describe this film, one explosion after another, absolutely hair raising escapes, fights, kidnappings, everything!!! A beautiful romance that is actually legitimately interesting and fun to watch, and with great actors. MI:3 is quiet simply incredible and you need to see the whole series but you HAVE to see the third installment!! Absolutely action classic!! 10/10