While not as good as the two previous instalments, JJ Abram's Mission Impossible 3 is still a graet addition to the franchise.
Back on its theatrical release in 2006, Mr Cruise had an uphill battle with this movie. The world was still reeling from his couch jumping antics. It paled in comparison to the other high profile spy movies out there (Casino Royale / Bourne Ultimatum). Plus , it had an untested movie director (although JJ was already aclaimed for Lost, Alias & Felicity).
In retrospect, while it it lacks the focused artistic vision that DePalma & Woo brought to their instalments, it has only gotten better with age.
The Tom-Cruise-Is-A-Loon image has receeded (not that this bothered me anyways). Compared with the weak plot in Quantum Of Solace, both the character aspects and the 'Rabbits Foot' macguffin work very well. And now that the hand held camera style has become more dominant in contemporary cinema, the movie feel less the efforts of a newbie TV director.
If there is critisism, it's the TV feel still undermines this cinematic franchise; the action sequences (all fast, fun and frantic) lack the confidence in editing that might have elevated it further. What saves most of the big action sequences are the character dilemmas intercut with them (Agent Farris's bomb-in-the-brain during the helicopter chase...the former bit better than the latter). Also the script could be much tighter, with tons of exposition being dumped in boring FMI headquarters rather than on the move (as they did later in the Vatican mission). The whole thing has a feel of Alias; a good program but, considering the franchise, undermines the mystery and enigma of the IMF department.
But it got a rocket propelled pace, the cast fantastic, the photography beautiful, the missions inventive (but not quite iconic) and the character story of Mr & Mrs Hunt provides the unique signature of this franchise entry. Best of all though is the pre-title teaser of Mr Cruise, in the chair, with a bomb up his nostril. Mint!
2 comments:
I have to get around to seing this again. I haven't seen it properly since the cinema. I remmember being fairly underwhelmed.
I remember it being decently made but just playing like a double episode of Alias, JJ Abrams spy tv series. Alias was something I never really got in to even though the lovely Jennifer Garner was in it.
I'm just praying JJ doesn't fumble the Trek this year. If he does he's dog meat.
The best MI straight out of the traps bar none. The first gets better on repeat viewing, the second may get worse (and indeed it does - john woo is a HK action legend - not a US one)
This one is great. Fantastic performances and a couple of stunning action sets in the bridge and the finale.
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