Not only does the series redeems itself, it betters itself

Rating: 9/10 (31 January 2007)

Thousands of long time fans of the Mission: Impossible TV series hated the first movie, calling it "blasphemous" and "awful", however as a stand alone film, I was impressed by it, the acting was up to scratch, the story was good and so was the action.
However in the second movie, the series fell flat on its face- an overload of action and an unengaging plot.
I am glad to say that this movie is far better than both the first and second Mission. The acting is at its best, poignant when necessary and funny when necessary. The film is also very clever in its plot- the real focus of the film is Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his fiancée Julia (Michelle Monaghan), not the Rabbit's foot, Phillip Seymour Hoffman's psychotic arms dealer is hellbent on getting. By focusing on the characters rather than the technology and weaponry, the film is far more engaging and intense.
The support cast is great, particularly Ving Rhames and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Finally, the film does something neither of the previous 2 could do- have the right amount of action- the first had too little and the second too much. Here it is brilliantly paced and spread.
Great action movie, the best of last year. (You wouldn't believe this was the first movie J.J. Abrams directed)