Classic espionage thriller

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2006)

This movie definitely should be considered a classic. There hasn't been a memorable secret agent themed action thriller in years, but hopefully this film will inspire future spy flicks to be as great.
It's always the same nowadays, secret agent meets girl, trashes lair, and kills bad guy. Don't get me wrong, clichés are what keep the film industry alive, but in order to make them memorable you have to add an interesting twist. M:I:3 does just that. The story follows Ethan Hunt, currently out of danger as an IMF training instructor. But when a madman kidnaps a close friend of Ethan's, he volunteers to rescue her. His personal connection with te damsel in distress traps him in a personal feud with Owen Davien, the film's villain. But when Ethan gets to close to Davien, Davien targets his one weakness: Ethan's girlfriend. Ethan Hunt is no longer portrayed as a green recruit or an invincible Bondian figure, but as a regular guy torn between to lives: Your everyday, average, male, and a super secret agent.
The story isn't about saving the world, it seems a bit like 24 to me, especially the climactic showdown and Hunt's ultra motivated and sometimes ruthless personality. THe film also has many great action scenes and stunts, Swinging from buildings, automated fighter planes attacking a bridge, and lots of shootouts.
Davien(played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is a living dictionary definition of the word evil, and Hoffman's performance as a deranged arms dealer is excellent. He's a believable bad guy who seems disturbingly real. Ving Rhames, Jonathan Reece Meyers and Maggie Q provide excellent supporting rolls, as does Michelle Mohnagan. I recommend this for anyone looking for a new type of spy-themed action thriller with a good storyline.