Mission Impossible 3 [Blu-ray] [2006]

...given the pseudo-macho-ego-out-of-control-fest that was the very average MI 2. As usual, it's good writing that saves the day and JJ Abrams does not let us down. True, there are some (alright, a lot) of moments which stretch credibility but hey, this isn't documentary it's CINEMA.

The charm of the first one was I suppose the intricacy of the plot and the sense of some sort of real-world grounding of the action, and whilst they don't really gun for that, there's enough intelligence to make it more than the simple 'Tom does Arnie' ethos of MI 2.

And fair play - there are some incredible moments - my heart was in my mouth when the Cruiser seems to actually leap off the top of a Chinese tower block. You know it's CGI, but it's still amazing.

Don't let MI 2 put you off, things are back on track here.

I first saw the trailer for M:I3 and yawned. I thought it would be another flashy and brainless stuntfest with a token villain. However, my experience of the film itself was different.

The first 'Mission Impossible' was a very good follow-on from the TV series, whereby a team of spies would carry out impossible assignments with pinpoint accuracy, timing, diversion and wit. The film version maintained this element, but it's plot was too contrived for some.

The second film was a different breed altogether and opted for gunblazing, high-kicking action and STILL managed to be quite dull.

Finally, the third 'Mission Impossible' comes to dvd and manages to be a perfect blend of the two styles aforementioned. This time, Ethan Hunt is about to tie the knot but has to spring into action and rescue his protege. His mission leads him to Owen Davian, a smart and ruthless arms dealer who is much more dangerous than Hunt gives him credit for.

The reason the film works so well, unlike the 2nd installment is because JJ Abrams knows how to keep the audience interested. Instead of having to wait a good 40 minutes for the action and set-pieces that we were promised, M:I3 kicks off with one big scene after another. However, there's so much more ingenuity and charm compared to the first two films in the way that the impossible missions are carried out. The biggest and most rewarding sequence takes place in the vatican and is a joy to watch and even reveals the technology behind the famous facemasks of Mission Impossible. Another exciting sequence is set in China where you expect a slow M:I2-like infiltration, which quickly turns into a frantic snatch-and-grab job.

The villain, Davian, is played brilliantly and doesn't need to rely on his strength to fight Hunt. Even in Hunt's custody, it's clear that the man is several moves ahead and certainly manages to put the spy through the mincer.

All in all, a very good and satisfying mixture of I and II, which manages to even improve on both.

Great action from start to finish, Mission Impossible 3 is an exhausting film in which Tom Cruise delivers a great performance with his able team. The action scenes were very exciting, over the top and just fun to watch. I enjoyed it and would recommend it for those who like films of the action genre.