Mission Implausible 3

Rating: 5/10 (28 June 2006)

Yawn......
Here we go, another foolish pseudo-spy story. Well, it was better than the last one, at least, but still utterly predictable and dull, despite the supposed action sequences.
The problem with this type of movie isn't the silly spy-tech gadgets and the laughable concepts of supervillains, wild car and helicopter chases through cities, etc. It's the lack of intelligence when it comes to the realisation of any of these things.
For example. One of the more interesting moments is a helicopter chase sequence. You basically have a venerable old Huey being pursued by a Cobra attack helicopter. Now, I'm no expert at helicopter tactics or design. But I'm guessing that a Cobra will run circles around a Huey all day long without breaking a sweat. Granted, a Huey might have longer range, but in a chase, that isn't gonna matter much. But the thing that annoyed me most, was the singular lack of anything resembling a brain in the scene-planning. Sure, it was cool to have the helicopters flying through a veritable forest of giant wind-turbines, but even an idiot would realise the Cobra didn't have to be there. Assuming the pilot training is above average for gunship pilots, you'd think it'd be sensible to fly above the turbines? And maybe fire down into them? Not fly through them? Bah! It's this kind of idiocy that ruins a movie experience for me. And when that happens, I start picking holes in everything else that I'd normally gloss-over.
Such as the explosion whose shock wave radiates out, realises it's missed Tombo, then does a ninety degree turn to knock him sideways into a car. Looks good, until you think about it even a tiny amount.
Another thing which bugs me is Cruise himself. I'm not sure if it's all the controversy that surrounds him these days, but I find myself far less forgiving of him as an actor now. His acting range seems to be limited to frowns, rictus grins, slight head-twitches and bug-eyed insane staring. And he uses this "repertoire" to convey every emotion required of him in a scene, from love to hate. It's actually quite unnerving to watch in some instances.
Suffice to say, if you can switch off your brain and just let it all wash over you, then this is an OK movie. But, if like me, you're cursed with an IQ greater than that of the average sock puppet, then you'll find it all just a tad irritating.