Simple, great fun!

Rating: 7/10 (2 June 2006)

The third in the franchise of MI films has been as much about Cruise and Holmes, Scientology, than it has about Ethan Hunt's latest escapade. Cruise has had much publicity, mostly bad, in the build up but after all is said and done, MI3 ends up being a rip roaring blockbuster. It's back to being a Mission Impossible film, it's got the team, the gadgets, the espionage. It has an MI feel lacking, especially in the second instalment. JJ Abram's in his big screen directorial debut does a great job. This is slam bang, thank you mam! Forget the plot, it doesn't matter, but there's enough twists and turns to keep in theme.
The film is just great fun. The plot doesn't get too convoluted, like the first film, and it's not bogged down with lameness like the second. It's just a simple plot, keeping within the elements that work in this sort of film. While Abram's stylish direction, is flashy without feeling hollow and too Hollywood blockbuster. He keeps a nice quick pace to the proceedings and cranks up the action when he needs to. Cruise is excellent in action hero mode once again, and of course does his dues with the stunt work as well. What's great though is this isn't all about the Cruise, it's about his team too. He needs the team this time round and it's very much a team movie. John Rhys Meyers, Maggie Q, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Larry Fishbourne, Billy Crudup all do their bit here with good support, while the gorgeous Michelle Monaghan is effervescent. It's Simon Pegg though who stands out, managing to steal all his scenes.
This is just good fun all round, and certainly better than the second film. However I feel that the first film has more standout moments and the opening 40 minutes in Prague were excellent, unsurpassed in the trilogy of MI films. Still in terms of action films, MI3 is a good simplistic ride. ***