A mission to steal files from the Kremlin goes badly wrong and leaves Cruise's IMS team framed with blowing up part of the Kremlin, disowned by their own government and in a battle to clear their names, stop a nuclear war and avoid being arrested (or worse by the Russians). Which as plots go is fairly standard. The villain, too, is pretty unremarkable - a crazy genius who thinks that nuclear war will trigger the next steps in mankind's evolution, or some such. So far, so bad Bond knock-off.
But Mission Impossible has never been about plausible plots, but more about excitement and action. And here, Bird, bringing touches of Pixar's inventiveness, really makes the film work. Most of the action set pieces deliver and some even feel a little fresh and innovative. Highlights include a foot chase through a sandstorm and the final showdown in an automated car park. The MI staples - self-destructing messages and latex masks - are referenced, but mainly for comic effect and not allowed to dominate the film. In fact there is a good deal of humour throughout, which blends well with the action.
Cruise does the kind of job you would expect of him (although, dare I suggest it, he is starting to get a wee bit old for this - definitely too old for the hoodie look he tries to get away with). Should he ever decide to hang up the franchise, then Renner (who is definite plus for the film) would be well placed to take it on, or at least he would be were he not already taking on the Bourne franchise later this year.
Overall - 7/10 Probably the second best of the franchise - might not be totally original, but the action works well and its an entertaining popcorn movie and, to be honest, that's all anyone can expect from Mission Impossible.
No comments:
Post a Comment