J.J. Abrams pulls out all the stops, propelling Ethan into high orbit

Rating: 8/10 (8 May 2006)

Tom Cruise has got something almost no one else in Hollywood has, a searing focus and intensity that comes through like some military laser. Despite all the recent hoopla, no one else could possibly seem as dedicated to the mission as Tom. And for some reason that helps us join in on his adventures from our cozy seats in a way others can't deliver as consistently. But without a story and a director to go with it, it's all for naught. Well, fear not! Like Roeper of Ebert & Roeper, I think this is easily the best of the Mission Impossible movies. J.J. Abrams delivers an adrenaline rush that only falters a little near the end, when we're near exhaustion anyway. This is a guy's movie and it kicked off my weekend in fine form. True, it starts out with a somewhat 'feminine' premise, namely that Ethan wants to settle down with the comely Julia, played by Michelle Monaghan. But it only uses that simple motivation to kick off the full-tilt festivities that are captured beautifully by "24"s director, J.J. Abrams. Having just recently gotten into "24", I was not expecting the movie I got. Abrams was able to reach a level not really hinted at in the TV series.
Kudos to Philip Seymour Hoffman, too. And I have to agree with Roeper on Hoffman's performance as Davian: I wanted more. In fact, if there's a real flaw in this film it's that it didn't take full advantage of Hoffman's coolly riveting interpretation of a oh-so-connected and arrogant arms dealer.