Best M:I film by far!

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2006)

I must say that I was seriously impressed with this movie; it improves on its predecessor in every area.
The film grabs hold of you in the unexpectedly brutal first scene; I found myself sweating and the it had only been running for around 3 minutes! You are then taken on a relentless roller-coaster ride for the best part of two hours. And what a great two hours they were.
I simply went to see this film to escape and be entertained, and I wasn't disappointed. Hiring JJ Abrams to direct this was a masterstroke; the man clearly understands what makes an audience tick. Unlike the previous M:I films, you start to understand Ethan Hunt's emotions and his private life, so that you actually start to care about what happens to him and those around him, unlike in M:I2, which just seemed to be a commercial for Tom Cruise's new hairstyle. There was a genuine sense of urgency and suspense which as been lacking from certain 'spy thrillers' in recent times.
Abrams really does hit the mark with the action sequences in this movie, which are brilliantly executed with an intensity not seen in the previous M:I films; they really do produce a lot of tension. The attack on the bridge stuck out in my mind as I just felt the sense of urgency and it really blew me away.
The only drawbacks in my opinion are the moments where Ethan Hunt is trying to show his emotions; you could tell that Tom Cruise was stretching his acting range, but he is to be commended for attempting to give the audience what they want.
Overall, I left the cinema hugely satisfied as M:I3 provides everything you could wish for in a movie from this genre. The mission to revitalise the series has been successful.