Transmission: Nonsensical

Rating: 5/10 (10 August 2006)

In the third installment of the franchise, Ethan hunt has retired from the IMF (the exciting one - not the money one) and found a wife. Unfortunately, the evil actions of arms dealer Owen Davian mean his is recalled to the service for one last time.
The first Mission: Impossible was an old-school spy thriller with a complex plot acted out well by a top notch cast. The second installment was an brilliantly choreographed extended MTV music video. I expected the third to be both and more. It is neither and less.
The few decent action set-pieces are inferior to the second film and the plot is nonsensical rubbish. You really get the feeling that this film was written as they went along, possible by the chief make-up artist.
By far the best film thing in this film is Phillip Seymour Hoffman. His excellence is rewarded by being almost entirely cut from the film in an effort not to overshadow the uninspiring Cruise.
Having said all of this, the opening sequence can justifiably rank as one of the best ever committed to film. No action, just great acting and the promise of a deeper, more interesting story about to unfold. Sadly, the decline from here on in is rapid.