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Newly retired IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is preparing to marry his fiancée Julia
(Michelle Monaghan) when he is recalled to active duty by his boss Brassel (Lawrence Fishburne). His new assignment?
to rescue Agent Lindsay (Keri Russell) taken hostage in Berlin by the unscrupulous and cruel Owen Davion (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an international weapons and information provider. In Ethan's team are computer expert Luther (Ving Rhames), Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and glamorous martial arts expert Zhen (Maggie Q.). Ethan successfully rescues Lindsay, who, however, dies later due to an electronic device implanted in her brain. To get even with Davian, Ethan with much daring, kidnaps him in spite of tight security at a Vatican event. Davian later retaliates by snatching Julia, Ethan's beloved. Julia's release is anchored on Ethan's delivering to Davian the so-called "Rabbit's Foot," an entity which seems priceless but a mystery to everyone, including Ethan.
Based on the popular TV series of the same title, Mission Impossible III
resonates with the thrills adventure and action of its predecessors. Now embellished with the most advanced technological gizmos, this deliriously fast-paced thriller puts the viewer on high tension most of the time throughout. The beginning scenes with Cruise strapped to a chair opposite a terrified woman slated to die at the count of 10, sets the tone of unrelenting suspense and excitement. Cruise is in his element doing the impossible, falling from tall buildings, climbing walls, springing through elevator shafts, competing with the wind on his motorbike, boat, or car and riding in a helicopter through a field of windmills in the dead of night. The stunts become more spectacular as the movie progresses. The variety of locales from the Vatican to Berlin to the fishing villages of Shanghai adds interest. The original theme music has not lost its appeal. To the charisma of Ethan (Cruise) is pitted the cool and calculating meanness of Davian, well portrayed by Oscar Awardee Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote). The rest of the cast deserve mention as well as Director J.J. Abrahams in his first directorial task.
Mission Impossible III is spectacle on a grand scale.
For two hours, the moviegoer is treated to the most fantastic feats that the hero must do to fulfill his mission or escape the tightest spots with flair and grace that would impress Houdini. The spectator is entertained with stunts that could almost take his breath away and for two hours, in the midst of excitement, he would escape from his problems in the world of ordinary mortals like you and me. But doesn't one feel a tinge of regret that such an expensive film (it reportedly cost $185 million) could give us not much more that that? Like perhaps something to help us understand each other better? Or something perhaps to awaken or enhance our sense of appreciation and care for our beautiful but beleaguered earth? For now, this film truly entertains. It delivers escapism in style, but shouldn't we hope that the next action thriller may give us something to think about after the thrills are over?
(Date Reviewed: 5 May 2006)
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