A Second-Rate Bond Movie At Best

Rating: 2/10 (9 May 2006)

Mainland China as a location. Cardboard cut-out villain. Yep, we've seen it all before ten years ago and it was better then too. There just doesn't seem to be the level of realism in Impossible Mission films that comes anywhere near the Bond movies. The plot line is so hackneyed and old to beggar belief. The only new addition is using surgical implants to demand co-operation which was ruined when the team ran their ops against the bad guys KNOWING they were at risk with no protection against same. Don't get me wrong, i will happily watch far-fetched scenario's all day as long as they have that one magic ingredient ENTERTAINMENT value. But the failure to entertain just makes watching painful followed by intense irritability.
I've seen Hollywood try spy movies before and the best I can say is they are a mixed-bag with a good nine tenths fertiliser. Exceptions being True Lies and Three Days Of The Condor. Examples such as The Ipcress File, Ice Station Zebra,The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and Michael Caine's 'Harry Palmer' films were all non Hollywood. If Hollywood IS going to attempt the spy genre I wish they'd do their homework. I have to say how disappointed I was with Mr Abrams's work, I had hoped for something special after LOST and ALIAS.
You have been disavowed JJ.