Review of Mission: Impossible III (2006) by Christopher B — 21 Oct 2016

The beginning of the revival for the Mission: Impossible franchise that would continue with the incredible Ghost Protocol 5 years later, J.J. Abrams entry into this franchise is memorable and engaging, primarily off the back of an incredible villain portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Ethan Hunt is retired from field work and spends his time instructing new recruits and spending time with his fiancee. But he is soon dragged back into action when one of his protegees gets captured investigating a powerful arms dealer. Racing with the arms dealer for a mysterious "rabbit's foot", everything that Ethan loves soon gets put on the line.

Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames return for this film, alongside new cast members Hoffman, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Keri Russel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maggie Q, Simon Pegg and a small early role for future Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul.

It's a gripping story, far more interesting than any of the two films that came before it. Hoffman is on fire in the villainous role of the arms dealer, and the rest of the cast is also incredibly solid. The action is intense, and the stakes don't feel forced - it's just a really tense action film.

You can't really ask for too much more. 8/10.