Mission: Impossible III

Director: J.J. Abrams
Screenwriters: J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Keri Russell, Michelle Monoghan
Running time: 125 mins
Certificate: 12A

When newly-engaged IMF member Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is called back to the field, there are no prizes for guessing that no good can come of it for fiancee Julia (Monaghan). No sooner than the team are biting at the tail of sadistic arms dealer Owen Davian (Hoffman) is the innocent Julia in jeopardy, leaving all eyes on Hunt to save the day.

Unlike Brian de Palma's outing, which expected the audience to think a little too much, M:i:III is thankfully easily accessible. Though still intelligent in comparison to the average actioner, it has less potential to puzzle audiences. Instead, the focus is much more firmly placed on fun, with some high-octane action scenes and a hearty helping of humour.

In retrospect, there is less of a story within the two hours than might be expected, but the fast-paced progression takes Hunt to a number of well-utilised locations from a splendid Vatican to the backstreets and skyscrapers of Shanghai, each of them providing scope for smooth and tense sequences. Although the twists thrown up by the script aren't entirely unpredictable, they are certainly interesting enough to keep the story afloat alongside the action.

In the third instalment of the M:I franchise, the focus is squarely placed on Hunt, now all but eclipsing the other members of the team as the writers try to give us an insight into the character. Cruise as usual proves his worth although Hunt's action hero antics jar slightly with the script's attempts to humanise him. The entire cast give enjoyable performances, but most notable is Philip Seymour Hoffman's deliciously reprehensible villain who is tragically underused.

As well as marking a fine feature directorial debut for cult TV mogul J.J. Abrams (Lost; Alias), Mission: Impossible III also tops both of its predecessors in giving a solid, fun action movie.