Skip the drama, look only at the action

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2006)

The plot could not have been any more generic. At times it's not even remotely plausible/logical. The story "twists" are mostly excuses for having Tom Cruise running and jumping in different locales. Indeed, as if the movie mocks itself for being nothing more than a showcase of a series of action sequences, the audience is deliberately not told what the all-important canister that has caused so many lives and so much anxiety is actually for -- even right at the end of the movie.
But hey, it's still a very entertaining movie. The whole movie is filled with action. It feels much shorter than its actual running time.
Yes it's true that the movie doesn't bring much new to the table. By today's lofty standard, the movie cannot be considered as slick. But to me, the counteracting factor is Tom Cruise's give-all performance. At least on screen, he worked harder in this movie than in any other movies. There are a couple of scenes where Tom Cruise is even doing some Jackie Chan-style stunts.
Well, just keep your eyes open but switch off your brain. What's on the screen would likely keep you entertained.