The strongest entry in the Mission Impossible series?

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2006)

The third instalment in the "Mission: Impossible" series is possibly the strongest to-date. This is 2 hours of action that flies by - I commented on leaving the cinema that I thought it had been a short film, it really moved at quite a pace and I'm staggered that the runtime is actually 126 minutes.
The cast is excellent, the set-pieces are gritty and dark...I loved every minute of it. Philip Seymour Hoffman is an excellent baddie - very believable. Cruise's love-interest in the film, Michelle Monaghan, is gorgeous, as is Maggie Q. Ving Rhames is back again for a great bit of continuity. Cruise himself is superb - I always enjoy his performances and I think this is one of his best. He's genuinely excellent when he's pitting his wits against Hoffman's character. Laurence Fishburne plays the tough talking leader of the Mission Impossible team and is, again, very convincing.
Fans of Simon Pegg will be happy with his performance here. He makes the most of a small part and does a fine job.
Even if you weren't keen on the first 2 movies, this may actually appeal. It's a darker "Mission" this time 'round. I was worried when I found out that David Fincher was no longer directing but this fears proved fruitless. "M:I-3" is in safe hands with JJ Abrams at the helm.
I'm actually looking forward to a second viewing, it really is that good.