Mission: Impossible III DVD Review

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"Mission Impossible 3" reviews

DVD

Mission Impossible 3

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-11-03 16:00:58

Provider

DVD Review

The Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, and mercifully free of those shiny curtains he sported in John Woo's over stylish and ultimately dreary second movie.

Director JJ Abrams, the man behind Alias and Lost, has reinvigorated the franchise by striking the right balance of adrenaline-fuelled blockbuster action and intriguing - albeit slightly ridiculous - espionage.

Hunt has retired from field work and now trains talented young IMF agents. In fact the super spy has what you might call 'a normal life' having found love with Julia (Michelle Monaghan). However, just as you're wondering why bother making another movie if it's just gonna be all about engagement parties and hanging out the laundry, Hunt is of course recalled to embark on another impossible mission.

This time he must rescue a kidnapped agent (Keri Russell) from the clutches of splendidly hammy arms dealer villain Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman). However, things get complicated, and personal, when Davian takes our hero's fiancée Julia hostage. Hunt and his team - Luther (Ving Rhames), Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Zhen (Maggie Q) and not forgetting our own Simon Pegg who puts in a star cameo performance as the caffeine addict tech guy - are at the mercy of the madman and have 48 hours to deliver him a top secret item before the future Mrs Hunt dies.

More in keeping with the first movie, and original '60s TV series, MI:3 is much more of a team effort than the previous film, and is not just an excuse to focus on Cruise's trademark grin. There's more action and intense twists while the characterisation and gadgets are way more believable (apart from those silly face masks of course). It has the feel of a classic breathless thriller from a bygone age while maintaining 21st century summer blockbuster thrills.

Among a fan-pleasing array of special features are: Commentary from director J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise, deleted scenes, The Making Of The Mission and several other interesting featurettes, Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams answer fans' questions, photo gallery and hidden features.