The Alias version of a Mission: Impossible movie, but no folks this is not a complaint (2nd Submission)

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2008)

MI: 3 plays like an excellent yet much longer episode of Alias, basically. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is up to the viewer. As for me, I thought this was exactly what it needed. With an excellent blend of espionage, action, comedy, drama, and romance, Mission Impossible 3 proves that with a large enough budget, J.J. Abrams can weave a good story and create an entertaining popcorn flick. It is a very good way to start off the yearly barrage of summer films. Unlike most summer films, this one is actually pretty smart and never truly enters the "mindless action film" zone. Is it the best Mission: Impossible? I wouldn't know, I haven't seen the first two. But, I am very sure that you will not leave the theater disappointed.
Ethan Hunt returns after a good partner of hers is kidnapped trying to recover something. After a few unexpected moments and a failed mission, now the spotlight is on Ethan, as he hunts after a dangerous arms dealer that is threatening to end the life of Hunt's new wife. Can Ethan keep his life a secret and save his wife Lindsey from the clutches of the enemies? More or less this is the plot, and yes Alias fans, it sounds familiar. There are so many references and tie-ins with Abrams' previous creations that an Alias movie should not sound that bad of an idea. It even starts out Alias-style, in which we see Ethan tied-up, and just seconds away from death---then we are traced back to an earlier time, way before the moments of the very first scene in the film.
Abrams and the scriptwriters do a fantastic job in building up the suspense, by giving us glimpses of the romance between Ethan and Lindsey and also the conversations amongst Ethan and his secret partners as they discuss why a marriage and working for the IMF could never mesh well. Also throughout the movie in between moments of tension and action, there are quirky one-liners and funny little moments that gives us a breath of fresh air after it gets sucked out from the last explosive scene. Clever and witty writing is a rarity nowadays in action movies; its nice to see that there is still some effort into writing for action movies at times. To top it all off, MI:3 is not as predictable as the average motion picture.
Tom Cruise is such a versatile actor, he can do comedy, drama, sci-fi, action, he can do it all, and this is why he works well here. In this movie we see him at his angriest, his happiest, and at his weakest. He does his action scenes well and really blends well with the rest of the cast without really overshadowing any other performance. The best performance in the film by far is Philip Seymour Hoffman, he absolutely stole the spotlight the moment he begins his threats. The other actors and actresses did a decent job, none outstanding, with Ving Rhames having the best lines. Watch for a small cameo by an actor that has had plenty of screen time in the cult hit that put Abrams in the director's chair for this movie, Alias.
Nothing is too over-the-top, and that is what excels most in this movie. MI:3's moments are not Transporter 2 or James Bonds' "You've got to be kidding me" moments, but more like Alias's over-the-top-but-not-too-ridiculous stunts. Whether it's the awesome scene at Italy, or the action-packed sequence at the bridge, Mission Impossible 3 may be smart, but it is a summer film, and will entertain those action fanatics. The fights are not plentiful, either way that is quickly forgotten when the climax is approaching.
Bottom Line: 2006's summer box office season is off to a good start as we have a talented man provide his touch to a well-known franchise, and delivering a smart and fun thriller that is sure to entertain audiences of all kinds, from the action buffs to those that like a little bit of everything in their films. J.J. Abrams has done it again, more props to him for skewing the franchise away from the typical mindless action film that we see all the time. Not as much dependence on special effects than on the interaction amongst the characters, the writing, and also the suspense that builds every time the team has to sneak into a building. Highly recommend, this should be the start of a good directorial career for Abrams. Tom Cruise, despite your off-screen antics, you have provided us with a decent third part of a potential trilogy, which almost never happens. Is there a part 4 on the horizon? Mission: Complete: MI:3 is entertaining.