Poor script, executed even more poorly. A disgrace.

Rating: 2/10 (14 June 2007)

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is now retired from the secret services, but he's soon called back by his former employer (Billy Crudup, who used to choose his movies based on the script, not on the hefty paycheck) in order to save a kidnapped agent (Keri Russell, looking for her paycheck too). The mission turns out sour, and Hunt's private life is now on the line as he must protect his wife against a very nasty terrorist (played respectively by Michelle Monaghan and Philip Seymour Hoffmann - I'm sure by now you guessed how such a great cast agreed to star in such an original project...)
This first feature film from TV wonder boy JJ Abrams is a train wreck. How could studios execs be stupid enough to give $150 million to a beginner? This guy knows TV for sure, but he probably didn't understand that with so much money you can film action scenes without awkward zooms and irritating shaky camera - these are common TV techniques to hide the cheap scenery and boost the editing, which a big budget feature doesn't need if handled correctly. You hated M:I-2's slow-motion and doves? You'll hate even more this TV episode badly tailored for the big screen.
So, where did the money go? The answer is simple: since the director has no clue on what makes a good action scene, he relies on the special effects, like any other Hollywood hack. We're talking about Mission Impossible, a franchise whose staples are intricate and bold thefts, with the team breaking in and out enemy strongholds unnoticed. Here, Abrams thought it would be smarter to shoot useless and god awfully expensive action scenes in exotic locations. Like in a bad 90's James Bond. So, when the hero is setting an aforementioned bold theft in a heavily guarded Chinese building, Abrams cuts to a lame, clichéd dialogue between his sidekicks waiting in the minivan! Once Tom Cruise re-appears on screen, a pathetic car chase ensues, while the poor spectator is asking himself "why in HELL did they chose not to film the goddamn hold up???"
Because they were too lazy to write and shoot what is the heart and soul of the series. Because it would have been too great an effort for the so-called writers to write anything original. The movie is such a rip-off of "True Lies" it's not even funny. European break-in: CHECK. Hero forced to collaborate with enemy: CHECK. Bridge attacked by jet fighter: CHECK. Daughter/wife in distress: CHECK. The list goes on and on... And don't expect any teamwork: Tom Cruise IS the star, and he wants everyone to know that. No one can shine except him. They're not allowed to.
Bottom line: avoid it, unless you have a knack for bad movies.