Mission Impossible was a hugely popular tv series in a decade gone by (though I'm unwilling to guess as to which). Since then a string of hugely popular movie versions has hit the big screen with Hollywood Superstar Tom Cruise at the helm. Cruise, who has had such other successes as Minority Report and Collateral in recent years, reprises his role as Ethan Hunt.

Ethan is retired from his role of doing the seemingly impossible since he realised (not unlike 24's Jack Bauer) that that kind of work is disasterous on your private life. But the kidnapping of one of the agents he personally trained prompts him to duck out on his own engagement party.

When despite their best efforts, saving her life is impossible, Ethan adopts his old role in capturing her killer in Shang Hai, but like the path of true love all does not run smoothly.

Unlike the second installment, this movie has no obviously elongated action scenes and tacked on special effects. Don't panic though adrenaline junkies, there is plenty of action to keep you hyped up, though it is interspliced with a coherent storyline. It isn't as complicated as the original movie though, opting for a simpler and quite predictable twist towards the end.

In conclusion then, fans of the original will be glad to see a movie with some moderate depth, fans of the sequel will be happy to watch the action scenes and will find it easy enough to follow. Of the three movies this is the best - and its not often you hear that, is it?

see also:
Inception, The Dark Knight, Casino Royale, Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

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photo © Paramount Pictures.