View Full Version : Mission: Impossible 3
Morpheus2000
07-05-2002, 12:34
Mission: Impossible was good, but Mi2 was weaker....
I believe that David Fincher is going to be directing Mi3. Who's going to be writing it though?
I hope it's not David Koepp. I think David Goyer of Blade fame would be an excellent choice and add some comic book voilence.
I thought the first film was complete drivel. Bad script, direction and acting. Even the film's most celebrated scene owed a lot to Sneakers, a film you really don't want to be in debt to. The only thing I liked in the entire thing was the conversation between Cruise and Voigt in which Cruise works out how Voigt escaped at the beginning. But Danny Elfman's perfectly judged music let's you know that Cruise doesn't believe him.
The second one I hated even more on first viewing. On second viewing it wasn't so bad - and the action scenes were spectacular - probably Woo's best effort, although he's remade the same film more than once too often.
As for the third - someone suggested in another thread that it should go to Robert Rodriguez - and I think he's the perfect choice. That said, it's hardly an exciting series, and I'd be happy to see the whole enterprise fizzle out.
Cirrus888
07-05-2002, 12:50
Sam Raimi could turn it into something watchable ... no more convoluted plotlines or characters we don't give a rats arse about ... good clean fun with a decent story. :D
..and Kirsten Dunst in a wet T-shirt.
The first film is highly entertaining and a very good piece of filmmaking indeed, probably as elegant a piece of direction as can be found in any nineties blockbuster.
The second is badly made trash. Don't much care about the third.
jonathan.e
07-05-2002, 14:21
Originally posted by Mike
The first film is highly entertaining and a very good piece of filmmaking indeed, probably as elegant a piece of direction as can be found in any nineties blockbuster.
The second is badly made trash. Don't much care about the third.
Agreed on the first two points. Love the homage to the TV series with the title sequence and those big flat-fronted trucks they drove around in. Good ensemble work from the cast and highly efficient direction from De Palma. Minor caveats are the handling of Jim Phelps (would never have happened) and the over-wrought helicopter business at the end.
Second was a complete ego-trip for Cruise totally missing the pont about Mission: Impossible in that it should be a team picture.
It’s a good idea for a movie series and could yet give us another fun movie but Cruise would have to tone down the need to be centre stage throughout and let someone as talented as De Palma run the show instead of crowding someone like Woo who (I’m assuming) caved to the demands of Cruise-Wagner productions.
Morpheus2000
07-05-2002, 15:58
Originally posted by McD
I thought the first film was complete drivel.
When I saw the first film I thought it was great at first viewing. But it's nothing like the TV series and neither is the sequel. Mi2's plot was terrible but the action scenes were good.
I'm hoping that Mi3 will be more like the TV series.
Originally posted by Morpheus2000
I'm hoping that Mi3 will be more like the TV series.
God I hope not!
I think that the MI series is very safe in the hands of David Fincher - UNLESS the plot details I heard of Slave Trading in Africa is actually true then I doubt even Fincher could save it! :eek:
jonathan.e
07-05-2002, 16:11
Originally posted by john316
I doubt even Fincher could save it! :eek:
Maybe he’ll get Britney :rolleyes: to play opposite the Cruiser.
Cap'n Al
07-05-2002, 16:57
The first was a middling Brian de Palma film; the second was a middling John Woo film. If the third is a middling David Fincher film, it may well be entertaining...
Morpheus2000
07-05-2002, 17:01
Originally posted by Cap'n Al
The first was a middling Brian de Palma film; the second was a middling John Woo film. If the third is a middling David Fincher film, it may well be entertaining...
Well Panic Room was a middling entertaing film. I hope Fincher doesn't fall foul of the number 3 again.
davey1970
07-05-2002, 19:42
i think the first one was somewhat underrated.
fantastic direction, the story was superb and really convoluted in an enjoyable way, nice stunts, great music, great acting. all in all, an intelligent blockbuster, and the two dont go together very often.
in particular, Vanessa Redgrave stole every scene she was in.
the 2nd one was abysmal in every way.
d
Ol' Blue Eyes
07-05-2002, 20:01
Apparently me, my mate Justin and Tony Scott are the only people who really liked Mission: Impossible 2. I thought it was a beautifully made action picture, honestly can't see why so many people hate it. I liked the first one a lot too. I'm not too sure about David Fincher. He's a very good director but there's no evidence he can do action. It was the action scenes in Alien 3 that let it down - after several viewings, I still can't tell what's going on in some of them. Why not John McTiernan? He could do with a hit and it's the kind of film he could really do well.
Originally posted by Ol' Blue Eyes
I'm not too sure about David Fincher. He's a very good director but there's no evidence he can do action. It was the action scenes in Alien 3 that let it down - after several viewings, I still can't tell what's going on in some of them
I think that is a very poor example to use for assessing Fincher IMO - the whole film was just a disaster and shows what can happen when the studio gets too involved in the move making process
Ol' Blue Eyes
07-05-2002, 20:39
Originally posted by john316
I think that is a very poor example to use for assessing Fincher IMO - the whole film was just a disaster and shows what can happen when the studio gets too involved in the move making process
I wouldn't use it to assess him, I know he's a very good director and think Seven and The Game are exceptional films. That doesn't mean he can necessarily handle big action scenes. Michael Apted's made some terrific films but he was completely the wrong choice for the last Bond.
Davester
07-05-2002, 20:49
MI was a very good film. I really enjoyed it, good plot, acting and it payed homage to the seris.
MI2 was Tom Cruise controlling the film so he got the screen time and to play an action hero. One of the worst films I have seen.
Hopefully there won't be constant rewrites and it'll be a team game.
Morpheus2000
07-05-2002, 23:39
Originally posted by Ol' Blue Eyes
Michael Apted's made some terrific films but he was completely the wrong choice for the last Bond.
I thought The World is Not Enough was Brosnan's best. It was actually Vic Armstrong that did the action scenes on that film. Apted did the more dramatic scenes. Have you seen Enigma? Not a bad film, but too complicated for its own good.
Ol' Blue Eyes
07-05-2002, 23:55
Originally posted by Morpheus2000
I thought The World is Not Enough was Brosnan's best. It was actually Vic Armstrong that did the action scenes on that film. Apted did the more dramatic scenes. Have you seen Enigma? Not a bad film, but too complicated for its own good.
I really liked Enigma. I think World Is Not Enough is okay but drawn out and the action scenes are unmemorable... and let's not even start on Denise Richards as a nuclear scientist in a crop top. ;)
Any more news on this yet?
JJ Abrams (Alias, Lost) is directing; set for a Summer 06 release. More details here (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317919/).
Simon Pegg is in the cast! :nuts:
Psycho :nuts:
SIMON ADEBISI
02-12-2005, 20:17
No, you dont say :) Hopefully he'll be an all out hero and will take over when Ethan Hunt retires.
nelliott
11-12-2005, 18:04
A brief glimpse at MI:3 (http://www.trailerdownload.net/trailers/mi3.mov) from Entertainment Tonight.
Not much to go on but good to see Ethan Hunt back in action!
midgetman
11-12-2005, 21:54
it says the wait is over...when is it out
Shambles
11-12-2005, 22:05
I can't wait. :oh-hum:
Am I the only one that thinks we could do without anymore Tom Cruise films?!
Summer next year.
Looked ok to me, seems to be a main car chase on a bridge.
Lets hope the trailer has some footage instead of just some crap graphics and nothing else!
dangermouse
12-12-2005, 00:06
I believe the teaser trailer is supposed to be attached to King Kong in the US - so hopefully we will get it here next week too :)
Yahoo apparently have the teaser up (there's a pic and link here (http://movies.yahoo.com/)), but nothing happens when I click on it :(
Edit: nm working now (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/missionimpossible3.html;_ylt=Aqzqch.6Y7.reJXIPYdmQYpfVXcA) :)
I can't wait. :oh-hum:
Am I the only one that thinks we could do without anymore Tom Cruise films?!
Based on his most recent 4 films (that I've seen), I'd say that the films that he's in are as good as most:-
Vanilla Sky
The Last Samurai
Minority Report
Collateral
dangermouse
12-12-2005, 12:19
The music in that trailer needed to be much heavier a la MI:2 (in my opinion anyway :) )
Mmmmmmm, perfect action blockbuster fodder. That'll do nicely! :D
Looks like it could be my pick of next summer. They dropped the ball on the second one, seemed rushed too, this one has a decent 'spy action' genre director and a decent cast.
Loved the bit at the end of the trailer when Cruise was thrown into that car - looked great.
TigaSefi
12-12-2005, 13:13
Wish they kept the U2 reworked MI theme tune... it was great. The new one for MI 2 was cack.
This looks great!! Hope the completed film is as good-great cast and exciting new director.
Would still rarther have had Fincher doing it :(
MrHat001
12-12-2005, 15:22
Shamelessly nicked from another forum:
"Your mission, Mister Phelps, should you decide to accept it, is to capture and brainwash a young Hollywood starlet into our secret Alien cult, use her as a cover for your rather badly concealed homosexuality and clear an easy five million dollars for Bridge publications to help fight the spread of Thetan poisoning in our witless dupes across the world. Good luck. As always, should reporters photography your boyfriend (AKA Personal Trainer), the Church President David Miscavidge will disavow any knowledge of your bonesmuggling covert lifestyle. This message will self destruct in five billion years."
GrossePointeJack
12-12-2005, 17:20
I had some trouble playing the large version of the trailer (Nothing happened). But the fullscreen version played fine.
sleep4ever
12-12-2005, 17:53
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat
Cant wait :thumbs:
Always said Hoffman would make a great bad guy in an action film
Wish they kept the U2 reworked MI theme tune... it was great. The new one for MI 2 was cack.
Now I know why you wanna hate me
Cause hate is all the world has even seen lately
davey1970
12-12-2005, 20:10
wasnt he in talented mr riply? he was well creepy in that, so reckon hed be excellent bady yeah.
i just hope they have a plot - a nice, complicated, conspiracy ridden, plot.
Niceguygeoff
12-12-2005, 21:28
The first Mission: Impossible film was convoluted to a fault, the second one was just plain dumb, but I like them both. I hope Mi:3 is just as enjoyable, and that trailer looks pretty good.
sleep4ever
12-12-2005, 21:42
wasnt he in talented mr riply? he was well creepy in that, so reckon hed be excellent bady yeah.
i just hope they have a plot - a nice, complicated, conspiracy ridden, plot.
He was chilling in Punch Drunk love...one of the best things in it
Loved the bit at the end of the trailer when Cruise was thrown into that car - looked great.
Looked good yes but would he really have been blown across like that ;)
Loved the 1st, loathed the 2nd.
M:I III looks very like great fun if the trailer is anything to go by.
Greatest TV tune ever!
lurker452
13-12-2005, 13:21
the first one was okay but MI 2 was fantastic fun and I loved everything that John Woo brought to the project. I hope the third film has the same energy and excitement and from what I've heard the absolutely stunning Maggie Q (from the excellent and under rated Hong Kong action movie Naked Weapon) co-stars.
I'd bet after MI 3 is released the sales of Naked Weapon Platinum Edition DVD will drastically rise from guys wanting to see more of Maggie Q in action. By the way don't expect to see lots of nakedness the title is very misleading.
Looks like it could be a watchable action movie. I liked the first film, the sequel had some good action sequences so hopefully this will be at least that good if not better.
Another new trailer up, still seems to eb a mindless action movie, but maybe we should boycott it until he lets the South Park episode be shown :D
SIMON ADEBISI
21-03-2006, 17:00
:D Ya, turn it around on him.
I wonder how Philip Seymour Hoffman will do as a baddie?
amcanally
21-03-2006, 18:46
Hoffman will be really good - hes a fantastic actor IMO. Good to see Fishburne too.
The trailer that was played with Kong had me genuinely looking forward to the summer.
Admittedly I feel the whole Cruise machine is beginning to grate on me The first film was flawed because it was over-twisty, but the initial embassy setup showed how good the film could be centred round a team, rather than the one man show its become.
Look at the gallery on the official website - 6 pictures - all of Tom... :oh-hum:
Still, I know I'll be there in the summer with my revels, popcorn and sodapop!
AICN Harry's Seen it :geek:
Harry chose to accept MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3 & this film definitely does not self-destruct in 5 seconds!
Strange how random the events of the world conspire to create impossible synchronicity.
I was supposed to see MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III on Monday night. However, the lovely lady bringing the print to Austin while flying out of LAX… her plane was diverted back to Los Angeles due to… missing parts. Lovely.
So it was rescheduled for tonight (Tuesday). In the midst of traveling to meet prior to the screening she gets the call… Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have had a bouncing baby girl. Which means that this morning – headlines around the world will be declaring the birth of “Tomkitten,” I believe CNN is calling this baby girl. Sigh.
Personally, I find it an absolutely insane that that’s the story of the day in Entertainment… but then, they haven’t seen MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3 yet.
To say that this is the best of the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE series is kinda lame praise. I like Brian DePalma’s – but ultimately – today when I rewatched it, about an hour in… I dozed off. The second one, Woo’s one? All style, all flash, but easily one of the ****tiest most vapid films made within the history of “hopefully cool films” covered by AICN. Is this third one the best? You better believe it.
No, the real question is: In the realm of pop-spy action spectaculars – is there anything close to being this good?
The answer is “kinda”.
First off – ya kinda gotta just throw out all those brilliant Sean Connery JAMES BOND flicks… Nostalgia, period and young Connery just trumps just about anything the modern world has to offer us.
Just for clarity sake – I kinda don’t count films like 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR and THE PARALLAX VIEW and THE CONVERSATION and MUNICH in this sort of thing, because those are so ‘reality-based’ in their tone – that they kind of form their own sub-genre of cool.
No – I’m talking about Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan BOND flicks. MR. & MRS. SMITH. I’m talking about films, that until tonight were topped by TRUE LIES by James Cameron.
The best modern pop spy film… movies with gadgets and impossible stunts… James Cameron’s TRUE LIES reigns supreme… or shall I say reigned supreme.
J.J. Abrams… first time feature film director has just launched into the stratosphere of badass holy **** watch him go directors. On top of that… That trailer you’ve seen. That little tingle you get from Phillip Seymour Hoffman when he talks about hunting down and hurting the woman that Ethan Hunt cares about… YOU’VE NO IDEA.
J.J. is a geek director. He’s the sort of guy that if you had to sit down with him for an hour to talk about Mission Impossible… You could spend about 30 minutes talking about favorite iterations of the old TV series, he’d openly talk about liking the first hour of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, how he didn’t care at all about the second one… And how he wanted to do two things with this series. 1) Find out who Ethan Hunt is when he’s not “the Michael Jordan of Spies” and 2) Make it about teamwork and the resources of the IMF.
Seriously – I know that about JJ, cuz I sat down with him for an hour to do an interview with him regarding MI3 for PENTHOUSE. I didn’t really want to get off track in that interview by talking about “the history of cinematic spies” – though I really did want to. And I was handicapped in that interview by having not read the script or having seen the movie.
Now that I’ve seen it – I would completely be paralyzed by geek overload by just how amazing I feel MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3 is… and how it’s the best damn retooling of TRUE LIES that will ever be done.
Essentially – that’s the film. Only – it’s not a romantic comedy at its heart. There’s romance, but it’s a light overtone to the entire film. I’ve watched TRUE LIES a lot. And through all of that – the one thing that always kinda bugged me about the film is a lack of a strong villain… and how I wish it had been more intense, played more straight. I love the humor – but humor tends to be a valve to release tension – and had they not played it for laughs… Had scene after scene not been hit with jokes throughout… well, it would have been amazing. It would have been…
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3.
Having seen the film… that teaser trailer makes you want to see the scene where Phillip’s Owen Davian captures Ethan Hunt and his “girlfriend” Julia and you kinda want to see the screws get turned on. And that trailer… It tells you it’s going to happen. It tells you that Ethan is gonna get hurt… real bad in this film. And right from the beginning. Pre-credits… that’s what you’re given.
Tom Cruise… trapped in a chair… manacled and pleading for his life and the life of the woman he loves. And there’s Philip… with a gun to her head, asking his questions about a “Rabbit’s foot” that Ethan was supposed to give him… and counting to 10. At 10, the women he loves is going to be shot in the head. Is it a play on the scene in MARATHON MAN? Absolutely. Is it good? ******* A it’s good, strike that, it’s great.
In fact, the wonderful thing about this film is… You remember GOLDFINGER? Specifically – remember Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe)? Remember how he was always several steps ahead of Sean Connery’s Bond. Remember how he knew he had Bond’s number? How Bond was an annoyance, not a problem? Well Auric was a pussy galore compared to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Owen Davian. It’s a classic good guy / bad guy match-up. Philip isn’t laughing maniacally. He isn’t making empty threats. He doesn’t give Ethan a goddamn inch the entire ******* film. Ethan is beaten at every ******* turn, every corner, every twist. The ****** thinks he’s good, but Philip is just much much smarter.
In fact, the brief flash of time in this film where Ethan has the upper hand… is only punctuated by exactly how ******* badly Owen ********* him up… almost at a blink. And this ******* Owen Davian… he’s not one of these cats that takes his time in unleashing revenge. He’s all about not just getting free, but instantly making his enemy his bitch.
Seriously. Contrary to the typical post-Oscar ****-up, Hoffman stands at home plate like the Babe that he is, and points to above the big green wall and knocks his performance clear over that and beyond. No stutter step here. He’s everything he’s supposed to be and more. He’s just sort of a marvel in this film.
That said – This is Ving Rhames’ best outing in an MI flick. He’s got a swagger and a charm that’s just gold here. His Luther genuinely comes across as an old friend this time out. Like a teammate that has gone to hell and back with ya, and is still there busting your chops – but still covering your back, still rooting for ya and still doing everything in his power to keep Ethan around.
However – the real gold of this film is in just the sheer number of great performances and moments that folks like Laurence Fishburne, Billy Crudup, Simon Pegg, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Maggie Q have.
Fishburne has reached a stride in his career. That place where the man could be handed a yellow pages and told to read the lawyer listings and damn if he wouldn’t make it seem like you were listening to options that were a matter of life and death… while at the same time making them seem entertaining. Here… He’s basically the man in charge of the IMF. There’s a part of me that wishes we could see a flashback film to when he was an agent, cuz I guaran-*******-tee ya, he was THE MAN. There’s a scene where he has Tom’s Ethan and Billy Crudup’s John Musgrave in a room… basically putting the screws to Tom on a particular recent **** up that Laurence is holding him accountable for… and Billy comes to Tom’s defense… repeatedly – and as a result, Fishburne decides to just repeatedly brow-beat Crudup’s character… and the look on Tom’s face is that of the schoolboy that’s real glad the teacher is lecturing the kid next to him, but still has that pained expression of anticipation of his own ass-whupping. Meanwhile… Fishburne is just wonderful.
As for Billy Crudup – he’s really very good in this. I really do feel he’s an actor that’s just waiting for that one particular part to bust him out in a really big way. In terms of charisma – he holds his own with Tom Cruise – and that isn’t easy, by any means.
Of course – there is one actor in particular in this film that is sheer genius. And that’s SIMON PEGG! His character is named Benji Dunn – and he’s kinda brilliant. Simon is a tech specialist. He isn’t in the movie much, but he’s a scene stealer. The second he appears on screen, all actors around him go invisible. His monologue about the Anti-God is classic stuff. The sort of material that we geeks retain in our bizarre freakish psyches for late night geek babblings regarding the fundamental secret essence of the universe. You know you have those conversations… and Simon is just the sort of man-god that can give you fodder for those occasions. This time, it’s all about the Anti-God. Genius.
Then there’s just the women of this film. Jesus. Keri Russell is yummy. Michelle Monaghan is the one to marry. And Maggie Q? There’s this red dress she wears that is easily drool inducing. What I love is that these are not just eye-candy decorations. Keri’s character is instrumental to Ethan coming back to “the game.” Michelle’s character is what makes the “game” a matter of life and death. And Maggie Q? She’s that unbelievably hot, talented and deadly babe that made the TV series so badass.
The main thing there is – that’s an IMF team. Not just that, but they show you IMF headquarters… a bit of how it all works… How they make those amazing masks and how they’re applied. I can just imagine Greg Nicotero, Rick Baker and Stan Winston sitting around wishing they had this system. It’s one of those impossible things that just… when you finally get to see how it is applied… it’s about a thousand times cooler than it ever was coming off.
Lastly – we come to Tom Cruise.
In recent times it seems everybody everywhere seems to be obsessed with… what I frankly feel… is all the wrong things regarding the “Tom”. Frankly, I don’t care who he’s in a relationship with. The “crazy” stuff from last year… like bouncing on Oprah’s couch… Well, given my current lunacy regarding my own personal life… I get him. The is it real or isn’t it stuff? Hell, I see monkeys speculating on my personal life all the time, but doesn’t make what happens between the two of us any less real and I’m sure it’s the same way with Tom. His religious choices? Who cares?
The real story with Tom Cruise continues to be his habit of hooking up with other top talents in the industry… taking insane “impossible” risks on first time feature film directors and putting them in charge of a dying franchise – on the hopes that they’ll reinvigorate it. And it actually being a home run!
Tom’s picking of J.J. Abrams is one of those divine inspirations that we’re all going to be thanking him for years and years and years for. This is some of the surest handed direction we’ve seen in this type of film ever. I mean, he sure as hell cleaned Woo and DePalma’s clock this first time out.
But the amazing thing is… in spite of the grotesque over-publicity of his personal life… we’re not seeing Tom decay on screen. His game hasn’t wavered an inch. In fact, the maturing of his face… the ever so slight tired corners of his eyes aren’t making him look old, but like he’s lived. And in this film he’s just so good. He comes across as dashing, charming, cavalier, earnest, romantic, competent, deadly and amazing.
When he’s asked how much ammo he has left, and responds with enough. You believe him. And watching him ride that motorcycle, wearing those shades, onto a tarmac for a plane that’s taking off… You know he’s riding to the Danger Zone – and I can’t help, but smile. There was just something about that image that did it for me.
Before I go, I have to revisit James Cameron. Why? Because of any other filmmaker – J.J. seems to have taken his greatest inspiration from Cameron. This movie isn’t bathed in icy blues and rich Hildebrandt golds. Instead – you can see that Abrams loves ABYSS, ALIENS: DIRECTOR’S CUT, TRUE LIES, TITANIC. There’s elements borrowed and turned into something new and exhilarating. Take… the bridge scene from TRUE LIES. Here – it’s given an amazing treatment – in a totally different way.
If you’ve been a fan of ALIAS or LOST and you’re dying to see what J.J. can do with the big toys, you’re going to be blown away. The difference between this film and his television work is just amazing. On TV, J.J. has risen to the top of the game. With this first film, he proudly steps out bringing the right talent from his cathode ray tube days and mixed it with a great deal of wonderful cinematic talents.
My fave crew choice? Michael Giacchino, who did the score for the film. You may remember his brilliant score for THE INCREDIBLES. Here, he gives the scenes emotion, urgency and excitement – just as he did there, but with a more elegant flair.
In all – this film isn’t a parody of a spy film, this movie isn’t goofing around. This is a seriously badass spy flick, and it will have critics around the country crowing about “Third Time’s The Charm!”
I just wish the franchise had been this good from the beginning. My God. Two more this good would just be amazing. As it stands, I just want to see Tom doing fresh material and I want to see the great J.J. science fiction film. It’s in him. I guarantee it. It’ll knock all of our dicks in the dirt, just like this one did to me tonight. I’ve got a good feeling about this summer.
First review i have seen and although it only Harry Knowles, still interesting. I am looking forward to it. Not sure about the Cameron comparisons he is king of directing an action scene, so will reserve judgment on J.J. :)
I trust Harry as far as I could move him with a fork-lift truck, but if it even lives up to half of what he says, i'll be more than happy. Got a good feeling about this one. :D
charlie angel
19-04-2006, 10:36
Harry's reviews always give me a headache :/
jonathan.e
19-04-2006, 10:43
Does he even deserve geek credentials when he appears to have entirely forgotten about the 2 Bourne movies? They’re the ones to beat in this genre, not True Lies.
Anyway, the day I start basing movie-going decisions on what HK has to say is the day all my food arrives in liquid form and I have to wear one of those fasten at the back jackets.
davey1970
19-04-2006, 10:44
looks good but i wish that guy doing the reviews could write properly, its painful reading it, and i felt a bit like i did when i watched man on fire.
jonathan.e
19-04-2006, 10:47
Also, reading between the lines there - Is Harry telling us he’s getting laid?
Where’s that vomit icon?
Also, reading between the lines there - Is Harry telling us he’s getting laid?
Where’s that vomit icon?
To a "woman" named Yoko, apparently. :gag:
wakeupjake
19-04-2006, 11:03
ok i really want to see Mi3 about as much as i hope its good but i now never ever want to read another one of his reviews....gave me bloody motion sickness
BBFC have passed it uncut as a 12a certificate.
Andrew WK
19-04-2006, 12:41
Bah, gave up, too many spoliers for me.
goonerforever
19-04-2006, 13:16
BBFC have passed it uncut as a 12a certificate.
This can only be a bad thing. From the trailers it looked like it would be really dark especially with PSH as the baddie. But now we get a bunch of chavs and little kids ruining the film :mad:
I'm torn (just like Katie's vag)!
On one hand I want to see what JJ Abrams can do on the big screen (and for me he's the major draw of this flick) but on the other Tom Cruise has become SO insufferable in the last year that I simply can't bear to "support" anything he is associated with.
It's the first time I've become so fed up with a mere celebrity that I would actually consider boycotting their work. I still can't bring myself to watch last year's 'War of the Worlds' because of this retarded little gimp.
corkbouy
19-04-2006, 17:19
AICN gave it a gushing review here (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23062) .
Spooksta
19-04-2006, 19:58
Wow.. I think he likes it lots. Realy looking forward to this now :)
AICN gave it a gushing review here (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23062) .
Dude, read the thread, seriously.
I liked both the M:I movies, the first was a good tense spy movie, the second was a balls-out action movie.
If this combines the two, with a dash of J.J. Abrams quirkiness, then I'll be a happy bunny.
Also, any movie with Simon Pegg in it gets an extra 10 cool points.
Bleeders
20-04-2006, 09:25
It has the REAL Hoff and Pegg in the film, I'm sold. :D
I put as much stock in Harry Knowles reviews as I do in Tony Blair's promises.
I'm still in therapy after reading Harry's review for Blade 2. :gag:
I put as much stock in Harry Knowles reviews as I do in Tony Blair's promises.
We could easily change that to....
I put as much stock in Harry Knowles reviews as I do in 'insert any politician here' promises.
:)
I am looking forward to this one, Cruise is a fruit for sure but even his off screen antics can't ruin a good flick.
corkbouy
23-04-2006, 02:29
Another great review from AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23096)
SIMON ADEBISI
23-04-2006, 13:26
I'm still in therapy after reading Harry's review for Blade 2. :gag:
:D The famous cunnilingus review.
JimDriver2
02-05-2006, 10:27
Couple of reviews in:
3/5 Empire - review seems kinda negative as well
but
4/5 Total Film - basically says its good but nothing amazing
Are people put off this by Tom Cruise? I know I am.
Cruise sure acts like a numpty off-screen, but I aint got a problem with his acting. He's solid & picks projects I like.
JimDriver2
02-05-2006, 10:59
agreed, but i don't really take any notice of any celebrity nonsense anyway so his offscreen marlarky doesn't both me.
I've quite enjoyed his last few films, thought War of the Worlds, Last Samurai and Minority Report were all pretty good.
I'm no Cruise fan, but the first MI film was good (not sure why reviewers seemed to think the plot was hard to follow) and in the hands of JJ Abrams I've got high hopes for this
The Empire review aint that bad, still looking forward to this... off to see it this thursday afternoon. :D
I'm with Tony and Jim, Cruise is a fine actor and makes films i enjoy.
Am one of the few it seems that thought War of the world was very good. Its got nothing to do with him of screen, its not him on the screen its Ethan Hunt or whoever he is playing.
Empire Review
Mission: Impossible III 12A
***
Tom Cruise is no mug. When he picked JJ Abrams to cover his back for another sally through his Big Franchise, he was knowingly hiring pop-culture’s golden child. Abrams’ hip TV jinks have stirred global water-cooler conflabs tracking the fathomless trails of his twin peaks: Alias and Lost. For his part, Abrams wanted to accomplish two things with his turn as Missionary. First, make it a personal story, to find what lurks behind the glacial features of Ethan Hunt, the superspy guy who would rather hang off tall buildings than confess his feelings. Second, to regain something of the tag-team trickery and camp nuttiness of Bruce Webber’s original TV series. Something Abrams has proved adept at, given Alias was built out of Mission: Impossible’s knotty conventions.
The news is halfway good. While the personal touch struggles to be anything more than conventional, try a sequence in which the four-strong IMF team (count in Ving Rhames, an adorable Maggie Q, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) infiltrate the Vatican. Here is Abrams’ magpie devotion fully in gear: devious, silly, perfectly syncopated with crispy-clean edits, and featuring an orange Lamborghini blown to little orangey bits and Cruise in a cassock. Once you’ve drawn breath, and that immortal theme music begins its pulsating rush, you get the urge to applaud. Mission 3 is leaps, bounds and base-jumps ahead of the turgid Mission 2, even a trick or two ahead of the convoluted original — but it’s still not entirely the film you want it to be.
What we have with this ultra-expensive, thick-sheened superstar-vehicle is cracking sequences in a ragged whole; a movie crowded with ideas, a geek’s trilling delight in envisioning gadgetry (love the brain bombs) and impossible situations (love the “fulcruming” off a Shanghai skyscraper), that keeps writing itself into corners. While Abrams brilliantly explains exactly how those feature-perfect masks are carried off, to shunt a muddled Hunt from crisis to crisis a mobile phone must conveniently ring with the plot on the other end. On the build Mission 3 is urgent and addictive, but when closing the deal it’s contrived and predictable.
For instance, a chilling Philip Seymour Hoffman skirts the temptation to ham up nerveless villain Owen Davian, a global purveyor of techno-terror, but fades from importance when Abrams starts a rather obvious game of traitor-in-our-midst. The glassy romance, that touchy-feely bit, is made sweet by Michelle Monaghan, but requires lumbering scenes of Cruise, straining at his emotional range, getting all heated and unprofessional in order to save his lady. The increasingly fraught and dishevelled Hunt, forever front and centre, remains about as clandestine as Krusty the Clown. Wouldn’t it be great to have a Mission: Impossible where no one has to go rogue and they, like, outwit the badguys?
Given all the violence meted out to women, it’s no wonder Abrams has been dubbed the new Hitchcock. He’s got a fair few of the fatman’s magic licks as well. There’s a classic macguffin called the Rabbit’s Foot that could be the “anti-God” — a hilariously lightheaded bit of conspiracy-making, about a compound that will bring about the end of mankind, delivered by a pleasingly nerdy Simon Pegg. Hitch, though, would have realised such dark-dizzy fun doesn’t need embellishing.
Verdict
An inspired middle-hour pumped by some solid action gives you an idea how good the franchise could be, but we now live in a post-Bourne, recalibrated-Bond universe, where Ethan Hunt looks a bit lost.
Total Film Review
Mission: Impossible III
What's the story?
Superhuman super-spy Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is all set up for a cosy marriage to big-family gal Julia (Monaghan). At the engagement party, he takes a call from ex-colleague Declan (Rhys Meyers). The mission, should he choose to yadayada, is to rescue an agent/old flame from the clutches of crazed weapons dealer Owen Davian (Seymour Hoffman)…
First line: “We’ve put an explosive charge in your head.” BOOM! Ten seconds of titles. A few stabs of theme. Aaand we’re in... None of yer fancy, farmed-out, Bond stylings here. It’s an urgent, practical, bunny-shag of an opener; a perfect oil-up for the movie’s lean, supreme, action machine.
Abrams’ no-flab style - honed from US TV’s strict ad-break rhythms - meshes thrillingly with Cruise’s twitchy stamina. Pummelling pace, dead-on action-to-chat ratio, kissy-kissy limited to a quick one up the wall in a hospital store-room… Sure, the ending’s a bit syrupy and there’s maybe too much of the Parkinson’s-cam and Rhames/Cruise mid-mission banter, but Abrams clearly has no intention of just trousering his cheque as jobbing franchise director. He’s blazed into contention by making the series his own - stirring clarity into De Palma’s murky blueprint, stiffening up Woo’s flaccid sequel with flickers of sex, clatters of close-up violence.
But despite the city-hopping, chopper-chopping, missile-dodging, bullet-ducking and explosion-surviving, nothing in the film is bigger than Cruise himself. The posters feature his name almost as big as the title. That’s because he is the movie. Support - particularly from Fishburne, Pegg and Monaghan - is solid, but they’re basically there to bask in the glow of Tom’s mighty star. His stark, staring, blaring screen charisma simply doesn’t spare anyone acting oxygen. He runs, leaps, jumps, shoots, fights and acts ‘em all into next year.
Here he is, reverse-abseiling up a wall… taking on an oncoming fighter plane with a machine-gun… bound and weaponless, biting and elbowing and head-butting his way through four burly guys - in a lift.
There he goes, shinning up an elevator cable… base-jumping off a skyscraper… skittering down a slope… scampering over rooftops… running, running, running - arms pumping, face a rictus gurn of feral resolve. A pack of adrenaline-addled cheetahs couldn’t catch the *******.
And he doesn’t skimp on the quiet, still stuff. Look out for the wonderful sequence with Monaghan, where he has the acting audacity to hold ten seconds of screen-time with absolute silence.
Naturally, Oscar Boy Hoffman runs him close. In the Bin Laden age, bad guys have to be both bad and elusive (“He’s the invisible man!” bleats Fishburne. “We can’t find him!”). Hoffman’s Owen Davian is indeed, always one step ahead, and a very, very, very bad man. “I’m gonna make her bleed and call out your name,” he informs Ethan, of his wife. He’s like a Bond villain without the cartoon distancing. More Satanic than psychotic.
Inspired by Bourne (crunchy punching), Bond (check the Q-style tech) and Bauer (Ethan vs Jack dust-up, anyone?), M:I:III re-sets the bar for all of the upstarts. Cruise is still the daddy.
Am of with a few mates on Thursday night and am looking forward to it :thumbs:
Tom Whitaker
02-05-2006, 13:25
Really surprised by that Empire review - I'm a luggy bugger and saw it with work and thoroughly enjoyed it. Was amazing on the big, loud screen at Odeon Leicester Square!
Harry on AICN compared it to True Lies, which might be setting expectations a bit high - the action isn't quite as extensive, destructive and crazily never-ending as it was in True Lies - but it's a solid, big action film and a real crowd-pleaser, even if you're not an action junkie.
Me thinks the Empire staff have been reading the dvdforums slagging them off ;)
So they come out with a less 'chummy' review am sure, some will find problems with it!
If its anything like the second one I'll be giving this an very wide berth.
<marquee>Never the twain, that is quite dwain, the Thane of Blaine was Caine</marquee>
Tom Whitaker
02-05-2006, 19:14
I'd say it's not like the second one very much. It's still a big action film, as opposed to the high-tech thriller whodunnit of the first, but there's a big emphasis on the team, less plot holes, more emotional content, and it generally feels like more of a film and less of a ride. I might not be the best judge, as I enjoyed "M:I-2", but in a different way to "M:I:iii", and I think it will appeal to a wider audience.
Getting some good early reviews (http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_3/) on rotten tommy's!
Stevie Simkin
03-05-2006, 12:34
I might not be the best judge, as I enjoyed "M:I-2", but in a different way to "M:I:iii", and I think it will appeal to a wider audience.
My children, 10 and 7, are keen to see it. What do you reckon on its suitability?
thanks! Stevie
bruce-leroy
03-05-2006, 14:02
Is MI:III complicated in the kind of way that the first film was supposed to be complicated? Personally, I didn't find the original complicated, but I know there was a big fuss about it. I might be going with someone who's first language is not English....
BlueSkies
03-05-2006, 14:39
Got a great review (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,194063,00.html) today...Made me excited to see it!
Looking forward to this....going on Friday.... :thumbs:
I've got a not-so-impossible mission to escape work tomorrow lunchtime so I can go see the movie in the afternoon. It involves, hang-gliding, abseiling, laser-security system infiltration & safe-cracking.......
....actually it involves filling out a holiday-form, but that doesn't sound as glamorous. :D
jedirobbie
03-05-2006, 22:48
Well I watched this today at work, and I thought it was great.
I love cheesy action films, and although it wasn't cheesy, the pace was fast, and the action didn't really slow.
If anyone's ever seen Alias, then this is a 2-Hr Special Episode starring Tom Cruise!
However, as a fan of Alias, I really enjoyed it more.
Quite brutal in parts, and fun in most, overall a great film! - ****
p.s. Simon Pegg was great!
Well I watched this today at work, and I thought it was great.
I love cheesy action films, and although it wasn't cheesy, the pace was fast, and the action didn't really slow.
If anyone's ever seen Alias, then this is a 2-Hr Special Episode starring Tom Cruise!
However, as a fan of Alias, I really enjoyed it more.
Quite brutal in parts, and fun in most, overall a great film! - ****
p.s. Simon Pegg was great!
Sounds awesome :thumbs:
Notice Ebert once again didn't like it. Has he ever liked any popcorn film ever!!!! Snob :lol:
Ok, just got back from this & yes, I really enjoyed it, maybe not up to my high expectations but a very good, solid popcorn Summer Blockbuster. Certainly the best of the trilogy (I really like the other two, yeah Even the Woo one!), it definitely sticks more to the tv-show format with regards to having an actual "Team".... but despite having a team, the other members still get little to zero character development, but they all fill their roles admirably. A little disappointed with Simon Pegg, not much to do & it could really be any geeky actor performing his part. Marshall from Alias does the role sooooo much better ... Oh, Oops, I mentioned Alias, which really is what this is, a two-hour, big-budget Alias episode, but I love Alias, so no complaints from me.
Hoffman was good as the bad-guy, not in it as much as I'd hoped, but suitably nasty, emotionless & most importantly, plays the bad-guy role differently from the usual cliche. JJ's direction was ok, nothing too exciting, action scenes were good, but again relying too much on shaky camerawork, music-video editing & the camera was waaay too close to the unarmed fighting. JJ has definitely been heavily influenced by watching too many Cameron movies, automated guns, air-to-surface rocket attack on one of those long bridges in Florida, over-extended revival scene...... but if you're gonna copy someone, copy the best! ... Oh & I dont know if it was just the cinema I was in, but this was LOUD, but LOUD in a good way, that Drone fighter you see in the trailers sounds awesome.
Lastly, Cruise is ummmm .. Cruise, which is no bad thing. He handles everything fine & even takes more of a physical & emotional beating than normal.
:thumbs: Welcome to the Summer Blockbuster season 2006!
Good review Tony, thanks. Will give my opinion after tonight.
As you said if your going to copy something copy the best and imo Cameron is the best action director ever :thumbs: :dork:
Ol' Blue Eyes
04-05-2006, 19:07
My children, 10 and 7, are keen to see it. What do you reckon on its suitability?
thanks! Stevie
It's violent, as much so as M:I II which had a 15 rating. I would think it's much too intense and brutal for a 7 year old, then again I know someone who lets his 7 year old watch Dawn Of The Dead!
Thoroughly enjoyable film though - my review (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=61435)
SIMON ADEBISI
04-05-2006, 20:14
Afternoon showing tomorrow. Here i come :clap:
ghost.ottercrab
04-05-2006, 21:00
Saw it this afternoon, thoroughly enjoyed it & like TonyG said, it is DAMN LOUD! Don't be put off if you hated the second film (I didn't rate it either), this film's in a different class. M:I:2 was on ITV2 tonight, I tried to watch it again but I turned off after 15 minutes because it was so boring, but M:I:3 rockets along once it kicks into gear.
Oh, and another reason to see it (albeit a superficial one): Maggie Q. One word: GORGEOUS!
JimDriver2
04-05-2006, 21:06
Good review TonyG, i'm looking forward to seeing this more tomorrow now.
midgetman
04-05-2006, 22:25
Brilliant
Saw this tonight, fantastic from beginning to end, great fun, and the best straight up actioner since True Lies (which it does share a few similarities with, as mentioned above).
Cruise is perfect in it as always, and the supporting characters are great.
Old Hoffman isn't given a lot to do, but he is fantastic. You forget how deep his voice is, and he really is a bit scary.
Overall, a great mix of Bond, Bourne and Bauer.
Saw this last night. Fantastic stuff!
It was harsher than the previous films and had some balls for once, even more impressive concidering the 12A rating.
Explosive in head, ouch! Genuinely shocking and subtle make-up for that scene.Cruise does his usual trick of separating his private life persona away from his on-screen one, showing he is a damn fine actor. Ving Rhames and the rest of Hunt's IMF Team were good, nice to see teamwork playing out rather than 1-man-a-go-go. I was surprised at how much older Billy Cruddup looks, both he and Laurence Fishburne were good in the 'admin' roles they had. Simon Pegg, whilst only having a couple of scenes was excellent, pretty much stole his scenes imo.
Hoffman was excellent as a spiteful effective bad guy. Made a change, as another review I read said he didn't do that 'ironical wave at the good guy' or anything, great stuff. :)
I'd recommend this to anyone who liked the previous films and anyone who liked/likes Alias, it was a hell of a ride.
snow-munki
05-05-2006, 07:42
really liked it too, not too many high tech equipment though, but some very clever scene with lots of action.
oh and anyone notice the music near the end of the film sounded just like lost !
shand754
05-05-2006, 08:19
Enjoyable movie, I did not get the ending though, What was in the envelope given to Ethan Hunt by Laurence Fishburne's character?
Enjoyable movie, I did not get the ending though, What was in the envelope given to Ethan Hunt by Laurence Fishburne's character?
It doesn't matter, in the same way it doesn't matter that you don't find out what 'The Rabbit's Foot' was. I am guessing it was something 'good'.
shand754
05-05-2006, 08:41
Oh, I thought I had missed something.
Maverickmitchell
05-05-2006, 09:45
Saw this film last night and thought that it was great. Much better than the 2nd one with much more work from the whole IMF team. Thought that you could see the JJ Abrams influence as the flim was set out like many of the Alias episodes.
The action is great in this film with a great supporting cast (agree with an earlier post about Maggie Q being gorgeous, Michelle Monaghan isnt too bad either).
JJ Abrams got the filming locations and sets absolutly perfect, even if I dont agree blowing up a Lambo. If your enjoyed either of the 1st 2 films see this as you will also enjoy this.
Great summer popcorn movie!! I did notice that Tom's nose looked MASSIVE in the move, is that the only part of him that has aged?
:thumbs: ......just come back from seeing this....and i thought it was fantastic...full of great heartstopping moments.....loved the mask making machine ....if you like your action films go see it .... :clap:
Saw this last night and really enjoyed it. The two hours seemed to fly by - the action rarely let up but some nice character moments as well (especially the opening scene).
One minor criticism would be the CPR given to the Cruiser at the end. Typical Baywatch moment - guys heart stops, lies dead for over a minute and is brought back to life by a thump on the chest as if nothing happened. The rest of the film is somewhat daft but found this too unbelievable which spoilt it a bit for me.
Finally an MI film that doesn't have long moments of boredom. The only downer for me was the return of the implausible masks and the constant camera shakes
Purpledump
05-05-2006, 23:20
oh and anyone notice the music near the end of the film sounded just like lost !
I know what you mean. Michael Giacchino (sp?) is the composer for both (and ALIAS). Didn't see his name pop up during the opening credits, though. Was kinda hoping it was him. The piano melody during the scene where Ethan talks to his fiance is very reminiscent of scenes in LOST. I like the way this movie had that old TV series kind of music feel to it (especially during the scene where Ethan meets up with his team).
Hope the JJ and Michael team up will carry on.
mjpartyboy
06-05-2006, 12:53
I watched this last night and was captivated from start to finish.
I wasn't that impressed. Better than M:I 2 but not as good as the first.
It's very clever, highly polished, and technically impressive. However, it's lacking any real sense of soul or artistic flair. Abrams seems like a very clever, cerebral director, but he didn't seem to invest the film with much heart and personality.
Characterisation's a major problem with this film, in that there really isn't any. Barely even a hint of it. Ethan Hunt's a very bland, dull hero with no distinguishing characteristics, so I don't really care about him or the problems he faces. In fact, at one point I actually found myself rooting for Phillip Seymour Hoffman's villain, because aside from Simon Pegg's tech guy he was probably the one character in the film who even hinted at having some sort of personality. All the others are just cyphers whose only purpose is to progress the plot. I didn't actually believe they continued to exist when they weren't on screen.
Also, there was no real sense of purpose to the film. We're told that Hoffman's character is "a bad man," but we've really no idea what he's up to, or just what sort of threat he poses to demand such pain and suffering from the heroes. As a result, the pay-offs are really unrewarding.
But perhaps the biggest problem I had was trying to see the film's lead character as a "top US superspy," and not "multi-million dollar film star Tom Cruise," creating a fictional extension of his off-screen persona with Bridget Monaghan as a filmic stand-in for his real-life partner Katie Holmes.
My head told me I should be enjoying the film, but somehow it just all left me rather cold.
Also, there was no real sense of purpose to the film. We're told that Hoffman's character is "a bad man," but we've really no idea what he's up to, or just what sort of threat he poses to demand such pain and suffering from the heroes.
But does it ever really matter? I thought the fact that the baddie didn't reveal any grandiose plan, or that the rabbit's foot was never fully explained was quite a brave and clever move - it's always the same (world domination, money, power, destruction), so ultimately who cares? But then I'm a huge Alias fan, so I watched it as "Mission: Impossible Alias", and was very happy with it.
But does it ever really matter? I thought the fact that the baddie didn't reveal any grandiose plan, or that the rabbit's foot was never fully explained was quite a brave and clever move - it's always the same (world domination, money, power, destruction), so ultimately who cares?The problem is that you never get the impression that the villain is worthy of all the time, effort and expense devoted by the heroes.
You almost feel sympathetic for him as the full weight of the US intelligence services is brought to bear on him and there's no real serious indication he's anything more than just a mid-level crook.
In fact, at the end, neither of the villains seem particularly significant in the scheme of things, save for the fact that Cruise hands them some mysterious doohicky that we're asked to take on trust is something nasty.
Absolutely loved it - I was actually exhausted by the end. Definately one of the best action flicks I've seen! :clap:
Porsmond
06-05-2006, 19:07
Just seen the film today, and I really enjoyed it. Certaintly a lot better than 1 &2 put together I think. The Action comes thick and fast,its a good story and is set to a perfect pace too, OK so there was a few odd bits that seemed like it was dragging on a little too much, but this is certaintly one of the best 2006 films I've seen so far this year.
I will be honest, I was worried about this film, when you make too many films in a series, the latter films tend to be rubbish and never live upto the orginal, however this one has pulled it off bigtime, very very enjoyable and roll on MI4 I guess(If one is in the works)
mufflator
06-05-2006, 21:07
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It didn't really matter who the bad guy was or what the bad guy was up to, it was all about Tom Cruise's character and the how his professional life affects him and those around him. Pretty much like the setup of Alias, then...
There were a lot of recycled ideas and even scenes from Alias and Lost in here. I swear the 'training' scenes of Keri Russel's character were even shot in the same building as Sydney's! The music score also was also very much in the Alias style. Fortunately having watched Alias did not detract from the enjoyment, it actually helped when the main plot twist was revealed as it was explained pretty quickly and could have been hard to follow otherwise.
I liked the old school intro sequence and they dropped the stupid Limp Biskit remix of the theme tune.
Also liked Greg Grunberg's obligatory cameo, I swear it must be a running joke with them two.
I was a little disappointed that Keri Russel got killed off so quickly, was looking forward to seeing her on the big screen.
Even those who had never seen Alias or Lost all said it was very good, edge of your seat action.
Methinks I'll be catching this tomorrow. I've been gagging to see it for ages since a release date was announced. The housemates also said it was good, and it isn't usually their type of thing, so it must've been good.
The music score also was also very much in the Alias style
Michael Giacchino just lifted some of his Lost dramatic score sequences as well
Just seen it - very good 4.5/5 - def worth seeing :thumbs:
Art Vanderlay
06-05-2006, 23:13
Saw it this pm.
Very much a movie version of Alias, which is not a bad thing. It certainly rattles along at a fair old rate.
My wife didn't like it, for the same reasons she doesn't like Alias - too much people not being who they appear to be, goodies really being baddies etc and the fact that convoluted plot elements are left in the air
sleep4ever
07-05-2006, 08:05
I enjoyed it, I agree with the point that its a bigscreen version of Alias with Tom Cruise, ('Rome, Italy'? well duh), but it went along at a nice pace and the people I saw it with were very impressed
Hoffman was great, using some of the threat first apparent in Punch Drunk Love.
One thing I was surprised with were how few people were in the cinema, it wasnt even a quarter full.
Considering its 'only' taken $17 Million on its first day in the states for a predicted $45 million, it'll probably be seen as disappointing, and considering the quality of the film I cant see why its take is so low
Expect the usual 'piracy' excuse to come soon.
krycheck_uk
07-05-2006, 09:57
I've never seen the first or second MI films - will it still be possible to understand the third, or do they all follow on from each other?
staffyman
07-05-2006, 10:14
They don't really follow on at all. Apart from Tom Cruise, the only recurring character in the series is Ving Rhames. There's one reference back to the first movie in Part 3, but it's just a throwaway line and is in no way important to the plot.
Barney_Tabasco
07-05-2006, 11:53
Considering its 'only' taken $17 Million on its first day in the states for a predicted $45 million, it'll probably be seen as disappointing, and considering the quality of the film I cant see why its take is so low
Expect the usual 'piracy' excuse to come soon.
I'm no expert but i would imagine in excess of $60million is more feasible. If $17m is for a Friday when people are at work then surely Saturday and Sunday you could be looking at $20m per day at the very least.
sleep4ever
07-05-2006, 13:02
I'm no expert but i would imagine in excess of $60million is more feasible. If $17m is for a Friday when people are at work then surely Saturday and Sunday you could be looking at $20m per day at the very least.
Box office prophets gave it a 2.7 based on MI2, which is where $45 Million came from
Sunday figures usually down on friday and saturday.
But you might very well be right, its predictions rather than actual figures
Barney_Tabasco
07-05-2006, 21:04
Well it looks like the predictions were about right - $48m, which is seen as disappointing (although of course still a big opening, just not what you'd expect).
Disappearer
07-05-2006, 21:07
Never that impressed with the first movie, thought the second one was pretty bad, but the new one is quality. Great to see some proper teamwork at last!
Agree that to it is basically a big screen version of Alias but that's certainly no bad thing.
Wow - It was a MASSIVE version of Alias - Fantastic !
Lots of previous plot devices used on telly and all stuffed together here.
Hardly any let up throughout.
They even have matinee price tickets on a Sunday over here in Texas.
saw this yesterday and thought it was ok. the plot was pretty transparent and almost pointless and the main characters were dull to the point where i really didnt care if they lived or died anyway.
great if you like to see things being blown up but not fit to lick the boots of the first one.
bruce-leroy
08-05-2006, 08:21
I thought it was fantastic. Loved it.
....and the main characters were dull to the point where i really didnt care if they lived or died anyway.
The same thing can be said of all the MI movies, including the first. The first movie definitely has a better story, fantastic individual scenes (computer-room break-in, helicopter/train scene) & overall better direction, but as a whole, I still think the latest is the best & more entertaining IMO.
Welshlad
08-05-2006, 08:48
Exactly what you would want from an Action flick IMO. Great stuff.
Cinema was half empty here aswell - was expecting it to be much busier than it was (mates who went Friday said the same too!)
Cinema was near-empty when I saw this too, very odd (only around 40 people on the opening night.) Having had some more time to think on it, this had everything you could want from an action-spy-thriller and it was harsh (in a couple of places) for a 12A.
Space Duck
08-05-2006, 09:40
Alias is better :D
BeauBrummie
08-05-2006, 16:36
Saw it this afternoon with the girlfriend - again cinema empty but then again it was an afternoon showing - but we both LOVED IT !!!!..... Tongue in cheek action flick but waaaayyyyyy..... better than MI2.
I liked this a great deal. There was nothing new in it at all but it was very efficiently and enjoyably put together.
Peter Bradshaw gave this 1 star (out of 5). Now, it may not have floated his boat but that's ridiculous -- surely that rating is reserved for utterly incompetent trash? I reckon half the film critics in this country don't deserve their jobs.
mikegray
08-05-2006, 19:21
I've never seen the first or second MI films - will it still be possible to understand the third, or do they all follow on from each other?
I never saw the other two but really enjoyed this. :thumbs:
I saw this on Saturday night and the cinema was completely packed ! It's been ages since I've seen a cinema that busy (I think the last time it was that busy was for Gladiator)
Great film, big improvement on MI:2.
So can anyone throw some light on this that I've heard ... That the director has admitted throwing some big clues to the meaning of "Lost" in his MI3 film ??? I think I've spotted one.
So can anyone throw some light on this that I've heard ... That the director has admitted throwing some big clues to the meaning of "Lost" in his MI3 film ??? I think I've spotted one.
Didn't even think about that, now you've got me intrigued. :thinking:
Agree with most people on here. GREAT FUN.
The most expensive episode of Alias ever. But the great Alias episodes of season 1 and 2.
Cruise is having fun in his favourite role and we forget all about the real life mid-life crisis wacko he can be. Maggie Q was a highlight, not because she did much, shes just beautiful!
JJ really puts his Lost/Alias fingerprints all over it. Greg Grunberg popping up, the Michael Giacchino soundtrack and slow motion cast shots.
Very entertaining. My next DVD purchase
So can anyone throw some light on this that I've heard ... That the director has admitted throwing some big clues to the meaning of "Lost" in his MI3 film ??? I think I've spotted one.
J.J is talking poo. They haven't even decided how lost is going, they make it up each week with a loose structure!
You know what, I have just spent over 15 mins reading the "help" on this site trying to find out how to use the spoiler tags as Ive never used them before and didnt want to ruin any MI3 plot details. And I STILL cant find anything that tells me. Im going to bed.
The Hanso Foundation gets a "Special Thanks" credit
Disappearer
08-05-2006, 21:49
One thing that did bug me, (and it was one of the many things that bugged me with M:I2) was they didn't utilise the MI theme tune. It's such a great piece of music and it will always make a cool action scene even more exciting than it already is.
You know what, I have just spent over 15 mins reading the "help" on this site trying to find out how to use the spoiler tags as Ive never used them before and didnt want to ruin any MI3 plot details. And I STILL cant find anything that tells me. Im going to bed.
type (spoiler) your spoilerific text here (/spoiler) but replace the round brackets with square ones
One thing that did bug me, (and it was one of the many things that bugged me with M:I2) was they didn't utilise the MI theme tune. It's such a great piece of music and it will always make a cool action scene even more exciting than it already is.
Twas the only thing missing I thought. But there was some use of the other TV music which brought a smile to my face.
SIMON ADEBISI
09-05-2006, 06:00
Twas the only thing missing I thought. But there was some use of the other TV music which brought a smile to my face.
Remember in the first film, how good it was when that music burst in during the chunnel scene :thumbs:
Silver Jet
09-05-2006, 10:05
I don't think there will be be a Mission Impossible 4.
As in the first two films the bad guy or an associate of the bad guy is an IMF agent. In MI:3's case Billy Crudup's character. In MI:2 Dougray Scott is a rogue agent, the same goes for Jon Voight's Jim Phelps in the first film.
Seeing as this government department is riddled with corrupt or criminal agents the US administration would have no choice but to shut it down as it's security is clearly compromised.
Barney_Tabasco
09-05-2006, 22:40
Now THAT'S what i'm talking about!
What a fantastic action movie - loved every minute! Miles better than 2.
It was made with such a sense of momentum and fun that you can't help but go along with it. How can a film so full of cliches feel so fresh?!?
Anyway, just read Peter Bradshaws (Guardian) review again - 1 star! Fool.
Seeing as this government department is riddled with corrupt or criminal agents the US administration would have no choice but to shut it down as it's security is clearly compromised.
CTU is still running! :D
Watched this at a 5.30 showing in Camden.
There were about 15 people in the audience.
Very enjoyable.
Nice seeing Alias on the big screen!!
Thought the guy they recast as Marshall,Simon Pegg?,was awful though and they should have stuck with the original actor!!
Watched this at a 5.30 showing in Camden.
There were about 15 people in the audience.
Very enjoyable.
Nice seeing Alias on the big screen!!
Thought the guy they recast as Marshall,Simon Pegg?,was awful though and they should have stuck with the original actor!!
Wasn't the part originally offered to Ricky Gervais?
Barney_Tabasco
10-05-2006, 09:32
Simon Pegg was great. Very funny.
Simon Pegg was great. Very funny.
Agreed. Infinately better than Gervais would have been. :thumbs: The little he had to do he did well. Saying he was no more than a 'Marshall out of Alias' type is unfair, as you could argue the same about Tom Cruise as Sydney Bristow, Laurence Fishburn as Jack Bristow, Her from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as Will Tippen, etc... We know it was like Alias, but it wasn't Alias, it was M:I. :) Pegg's 'God Machine' Rabbit's Foot bit was ace, proves he has the chops when it comes to drama (as does the more serious bits in Shaun of the Dead.)
The thing was Simon Pegg's character was exactly like Marshall's.
The bumbling Tech guy.
Good movie to start off the summer season, thought it was better than mi2, which was better than mi1.
didnt want to watch it at all after but promised a friend id take him to see it. didnt like the second one that much however i did like this one quite a bit!
the only bit that let it down the most was when he got the camera which would self destruct and the guy changed the words. that should have stayed as all the original, its one of the more famous lines!
Rollocop
10-05-2006, 11:47
The only thing that bugged me was how TC could open a pair of handcuffs with ANYTHING - Like the inside of a biro !!!
Don't know about Lost clues, but I thought I recognised some of the incidental music at final confronation being distinctly Lost-like.
Taq
Just watched this and thought it was brilliant. I enjoyed the first two, but the combination of JJ 'Alias' Abrams and the Mission: Impossible franchise was a match made in heaven! This is easily the best of the three!
Every set-piece was superb, beautiful and totally enthralling. The scene in Shanghai looked stuning, I think Abrams likes the setting- wasnt it used in Alias?
The cast were great, a special mention to Hoffman who further proves what a talented actor he is, his performance was chilling.
If I were to criticise anything it would be the resuscitation scene, which while unpreventable was ever so cliched and the cheesy final hoorah and slow-mo walk away from IMF. But thats just being picky.
Just to echo others, if you love Alias (like me), then you will love this. I hope that this is the start of a bright movie career for Abrams.
BillyShears
10-05-2006, 21:53
Just came back from seein this absolute brill 10/10 :thumbs:
good direction from Abrams and another plus for me was the lack of CGI used. Also liked the way Ethans character was portrayed showed he had emotion and gr8 acting from Cruise.
IMO the most easiest to follow plot-wise and the best MI film yet
Niceguygeoff
10-05-2006, 22:45
It's not a classic by any means, but I enjoyed MI3. I've seen one episode of Alias, ditto for Lost, but on this evidence that Abrams fella knows his ****. The action was superb, there were lovely little throwaway lines throughout, and Simon Pegg was, well, Simon Pegg. Which is good. :)
Unfortunately that daffy final shot really annoyed me. The filmmakers went for dark(er), and I think they achieved that, but goddamn that ending sucked balls. I still think the first one is better overall though. I'll always like the second too because it's so deliriously OTT.
davey1970
10-05-2006, 22:46
saw this earlier.
streets ahead of 2, not quite up to 1, but a totally wicked film nonetheless.
it was missing SOMETHING which brings it down to 8 1/2 out of 10 for me, oh maybe 9, nah 8 1/2. - but i really cant put my finger on it.
the baddie is superb but it just didnt seem right for him to end up in a physical fight with cruise near the end - it kinda seemed not his style.
also, the person who is the other baddie was i thought obvious and not that good.
i hated all the agency guys cheering near the end but only had to endure about 10 seconds before fade out.
the vatican infiltration wasn't that convincing and not the huge scene it was played up to be.
Cruise is superb in it and im not even much of a fan. Everyone else is good in it as well, and the team element is more than just lip service even if not THAT much more.
The plot is very basic but works more than adequately though i prefer the intricacy of the earlier one.
i think i could very probably enjoy sitting through the entire thing again already - total entertainment, about 10 seconds of boring out of the whole thing.
robzinski
10-05-2006, 23:07
I'm undecided on this at the minute.
I didn't dislike it, but i'm not prepared to put my foot on the other side of the line either.
The Vatican bit was right out of Alias. The score in the revival scene was ripped straight out of 'Win one for the reaper/life and death' from the Lost OST, and it distracted me as I kept thinking 'Poor Boone :('.
PSH did alright with what little he had to play with, but Lawrence Fishbourne and Simon Degg's characters kept reminding me of Dixon and Marshall.
So, 'Hang on' you say, 'If it kept reminding you of Lost and S1 or S2 of Alias, then how can it be bad?' Well thats exactly the problem. It seemed to go on for a lot longer than the 2 hour running time.
40 minutes of Sydney infiltrating stuff, getting double crossed, 'saving the day whilst either her or someone close nearly dies' used to be great, but it brings about two negative points.
1) Tom Cruise is no Jennifer Garner(Nevermind JG in some random underwear/saucy costume)
2) I found it difficult to concentrate as I constantly expecting Ron Rifkin to walk out and proclaim that the 'Rabbits Foot' was a mystery part of the Rambaldi device.
So, on its own its a decent acton film. But as an 'Old School' Alias fan, it just didn't sit right.
davey1970
11-05-2006, 08:59
it probably helped with me that ive never seen a single episode of alias.
i think i would find it annoying if it was just like something else, even if that something else was something i liked.
oh one thing i forgot earlier - i found the initial rescue quite effective - the scene through the windmills in particular.
Seen this yesterday and have to give it the thumbs up.
Non stop action
:thumbs:
GAmbrose
11-05-2006, 10:48
Saw it yesterday, I thought it was fairly average. Far FAR better than Mission Impossible II, but I still like the original film the most.
Best thing in the film by far was Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He's make a great Bond Villian but he's probably got the glossy blockbuster out of his system now. I didn't think Cruise had any chemistry with Michelle Monaghan and the IMF team didn't get much of a look in either which was a shame.
As somebody mentioned on a previous page, the fact that IMF has so many agents who turn out to be bad is getting old. Every film has featured one now. I think the last act of the film was a let down really. It was a cop out that they didn't shoot his wife, and it turned out to be a woman in a mask and I kinda lost faith from then. It would have been much more shocking for Hoffman to have killed Ethans wife. Later on when Ethan needed rescusitation you knew there was no way he was going to die.
Can someone explain why exactly Billy Crudup sent that blonde woman after Hoffman in the first place? Was it mearly to get Ethan Hunt back to active duty so he could then go on to steal the Rabbits Foot? And why implicate Lawrence Fishburne? Why not just sent an IMF team after the rabbits foot and then hand it over to Hoffman? Seemed unessessarily convoluted to me
Gary A
Rollo_Tomassi
11-05-2006, 23:23
Was okay - nothing more, nothing less. Good middle section, dragged a bit towards the end, and then surely the cheesiest ending of the year so far. The first Mission:Impossible film is still the best IMHO, probably because it was the closest to the original series... I still wish the franchise could've been more like the TV show, and less like James Bond. There were lots of good episodes with not a single shot fired, and not a single IMF agent "turning bad". Such are the demands of popcorn cinema I guess..
davey1970
12-05-2006, 09:50
spoiler!!!!
If I understand it correctly, implicating Firshburne was the weakest bit of the script.
In her coded video, the agent said something along the lines of - "the call was from firshburnes office, hes working for Hoffman"
I immediatly thought well he's not the only one who works in that office! and it then came as a complete non surprise when they revealed who the baddy baddy really was.
In fact, I think it was only the fact that a big picture of fishburne appeared as she was saying it that probably made anyone think it was him anyway.
?
oh and while i'm at it - re: the wall at the vatican - don't people ever look out of the window and raise the alarm? this seems to happen in so many films.
oh and while i'm at it - re: the wall at the vatican - don't people ever look out of the window and raise the alarm? this seems to happen in so many films.
It a popcorn action film with loads of plotholes, if you going to pick it apart like that then there is no point watching it dude. There is no such thing as them people masks, you cannot get blow through the air by an explosion and get up straight away. Its what happens in these type's of films and in some respects why they are enjoyable. :)
davey1970
12-05-2006, 15:07
yes but there is a point in me watching it even if i do pick it apart because like i said - i enjoyed it :-)
h0l1yw0od
13-05-2006, 10:26
Saw this last night, thought it was thoroughly enjoyable. Full on action entertainment, something lacking from todays movies.
As good as M:I 1, waaaaay better then M:I 2. I find it interesting how each one is different. None of them necessarily feels like a sequel to the last one.
The scene on the bridge was one of the best action scenes for a good few years i think.
Worst part was the completely unecessary and unrelated Kanye West song on the closing credits. Awful, truly awful. The film doesn't need a songy soundtrack, it's above it. Still at least it wasn't filled with hoody-chav-metal like the last one.
As everyone has daggers out for Tom Cruise at the moment i'm chuffed he delivered a film thats gosh darn great!
Here's hoping the magic returns for M:I 4 :clap:
Saw this last night, really enjoyed it, much better than MI:2 and probably on a par with MI.
avid fan
15-05-2006, 12:59
Also saw last night - thoroughly enjoyable, but I kept thinking that it would have been sooooo much easier if, given how important it was, the blonde woman couldn't have passed her little bit of information onto Ethan and the gang before her 'incident' in the helicopter.
Sorry - I'm far too lazy for spoilers and prefer to make my message sound vague to anyone who hasn't seen the film!
Also saw last night - thoroughly enjoyable, but I kept thinking that it would have been sooooo much easier if, given how important it was, the blonde woman couldn't have passed her little bit of information onto Ethan and the gang before her 'incident' in the helicopter.
Sorry - I'm far too lazy for spoilers and prefer to make my message sound vague to anyone who hasn't seen the film!
She did try to pass her info on though in the building
The Editing Room (http://www.the-editing-room.com/?script=mi3) now have their abridged version of Mission Impossible 3 online. It contains spoilers but it's also funny... :)
Spooksta
17-05-2006, 19:39
She did try to pass her info on though in the building
He means she didnt try hard enough!!!!!!
"Spy in IMF!!!!" would have been enough
eye__writ
17-05-2006, 22:50
The Editing Room (http://www.the-editing-room.com/?script=mi3) now have their abridged version of Mission Impossible 3 online. It contains spoilers but it's also funny... :)
Very good! :notworthy
Much better than the "only funny for the geeks" Star Wars spoofs that still keep popping up. :lol:
avid fan
18-05-2006, 07:01
He means she didnt try hard enough!!!!!!
"Spy in IMF!!!!" would have been enough
Exactly!! - she had enough time to say 'there's something I've got to tell you', so she could have said something else instead! :nuts:
I thought this one was a good summer action flick but nothing that will stay long in the mind. All very well done and for the duration, enjoyable, I've been trying to put my finger on why I didn't absolutely love every minute, I think it may be scale.
The scale of MI:3 bothers me, it's too small, too insular. I would love to see an IMF team involved in a big big plot, possibly relevant to modern times/politics, sadly even though this one was miles better than the second, it was still the Tom Cruise show, an entire film dedicated to the personal life of his character. As a result the ending was never in doubt, no mystery to it, very little suspense, just some great action sequences.
I would say 7/10.
raymondlin
18-05-2006, 22:14
I love this, since i am a big fan of Alias i can see a lot of reference and style right out of the show and then taken a whole new level. The Shanghai bit in how he get into the building was totally insane, but heart stopping at the same time. Bring on Mi4 !
jacquesbrel
21-05-2006, 09:42
enjoyable action spy thriller by numbers. Lots of ludicrous hokum that you can pull to pieces afterwards but a rollercoaster whilst you in the cinema. And, most importantly, a half hour shorter than Da Vinci Crap. Oh, and a lot quieter ambience-wise, with only about 4 couples in the screening I was in last (Sat) night :)
KennyVader
22-05-2006, 23:24
Finally got around to seeing this tonight, liked it a lot. Found very little to complain about. Except that maybe Cruise runs like a freak --- very upright!
8/10.
Have not seen Alias that everyone is referring to, will look out for some.
Don't know if it is a director's trademark (yet) but there were a couple of bits with slow lingering action (Cruise making lovey eyes at his wife for instance) with just single piano chords playing .... sort of dum ........... gap .......... deee ............ gap .............. daaa ............. he does that in Lost quite often, towards the ends of episodes, beach reunions etc, enjoying the happy moment. I like that.
cpheonix
24-05-2006, 23:08
Saw this tonight. Did anyone else think that Cruise's wife in the film looked like Kate from Lost? I know JJ Abrahams created Lost and directed this, but the music and the way it what shot was too similar for my liking.
Also, that bridge scene looked liked it was lifted from True Lies. Albeit more spectacular. That was my favourite part of the film. All in all a good action flick but nothing more than that.
Oh, and Keri Russell was hardly in it...I heard Scarlett Johansson was up for that part. Was that why she turned it down?
Don't know if it is a director's trademark (yet) but there were a couple of bits with slow lingering action (Cruise making lovey eyes at his wife for instance) with just single piano chords playing .... sort of dum ........... gap .......... deee ............ gap .............. daaa ............. he does that in Lost quite often, towards the ends of episodes, beach reunions etc, enjoying the happy moment. I like that.It's very 'LOST'
Saw it last night and really enjoyed it. Great start to the summer films. Okay the plot is old hat now but the action was great and the pace never let up.
Really enjoyed this too, a lot better than I was expecting. It was incredibly loud though, and I'm surprised to see everyone else found it like that too - should have some awesome reference moments on the DVD though.
Although it would have been a much better ending had they just let Cruise die, rather than the ridiculously drawn out bangs on the chest..
Suppose that would stop the infinite number of sequels they'll continue to try and churn out ;)
digitalis
31-05-2006, 17:54
Saw this with the missus last night, cinema practically empty. Good fun, but like everyone else says, couldn't have been much more like an episode of Alias if they'd dressed Tom up in a pair of high heels and a skimpy dress.
Did anyone else think they were trying to tip the hat to a few of Tom's earlier films, or am I reading too much into it?
Apart from the obvious falling-from-a-great-height-on-a-wire-and-stopping-just-above-the-ground bit, he was making a cocktail at the party at the start of the film, and when he turned up at the airport to meet the rest of his team for the first time, riding his motorbike, I half expected "Take my breath away" by Berlin to kick in...
Maybe it's just me... :shrug:
and when he turned up at the airport to meet the rest of his team for the first time, riding his motorbike, I half expected "Take my breath away" by Berlin to kick in...
...or for him to get in an Indy stockcar
paperockscissors
01-06-2006, 15:25
Saw this with the missus last night, cinema practically empty. Good fun, but like everyone else says, couldn't have been much more like an episode of Alias if they'd dressed Tom up in a pair of high heels and a skimpy dress.
Did anyone else think they were trying to tip the hat to a few of Tom's earlier films, or am I reading too much into it?
Apart from the obvious falling-from-a-great-height-on-a-wire-and-stopping-just-above-the-ground bit, he was making a cocktail at the party at the start of the film, and when he turned up at the airport to meet the rest of his team for the first time, riding his motorbike, I half expected "Take my breath away" by Berlin to kick in...
Maybe it's just me... :shrug:
Lol, I could see it now..
My friends and I believe that those little time bomb things are still planted in Tom Cruise's head, explaining the sudden case of the crazies :cuckoo:
Didn't enjoy this. This series is getting really boring now. Same old stuff with bigger explosions......yawn.
Perhaps i stand alone but i thought II was better. I know it's derided left, right and center but for cheesy acting and cool slo mo stunts it's a riot.
I liked III, i like Lost, Alias and JJ's work but i have no immediate desire to watch III again which, to me, makes an average film.
eye__writ
25-10-2006, 21:03
for cheesy acting and cool slo mo stunts it's a riot.
Except that the slow-mo' stunts aren't cool, they're boring. It's like watching X-Treme sports without the laugh-a-minute commentary. :gag:
new forms
25-10-2006, 21:39
tom cruise needs to watch this film and realise there's a little too much tom cruise in it, only so much tom cruise an audience wants
megatron
25-10-2006, 22:00
tom cruise needs to watch this film and realise there's a little too much tom cruise in it, only so much tom cruise an audience wants
Yeah, more Maggie Q would have been nice. :luv:
I watched the film again, having only seen it once in the cinema, and quite enjoyed it the second time...surprisingly. It's pretty much non stop mindless action for the most part which is handy if you just want to switch off and veg out.
This was one of a rapidly growing list of, "I'll buy it when it comes out!" walking out of the cinema but not actually bothering when the DVD arrives.
The first one is a masterpiece. Okay, maybe not a masterpiece, but a really great action flick better than most of it's rivals (Bond) and natural evoultion to the fun series.
Maybe it was Abrams too familiar TV style or Cruise's bizarre antics (which are quite off putting) but its not a purchase for me. The M:I 1 dvd sits by itself on the shelf in the hope DePalma will return for a M:I 4
Barney_Tabasco
26-10-2006, 15:42
I think it's fantastic blockbuster fair.
As much as it is a vanity project it kind of works because of Tom Cruise - sometimes these lightweight action films need the the impact of a major movie presence to make them work.
corkbouy
12-11-2006, 07:18
Watched this the other day. A good action film, but a lousy Mission Impossible film. Where was the climax? Yes, there was an ending, but that only worked if you really cared about the characters, and frankly, they weren't developed enough for you to care. The 'Red Light/Green Light' bombastic ending of the first film beats it hands down.
Whoever scored this film deserves a smack in the face. Its really hard to screw up when you get perhaps one of the best ever themes to use in your film, but this guy does it. Outside of the main titles, I think it was used once. In the first half of the film. There's nothing like it apart from the Bond Theme to get your blood pumping, and its entirely absent. An amazing decision. Instead we get generic crap that sounds like temp music.
A good film on its own merits, but an utter waste of a Mission Impossible film...
Watched this earlier and wasn't overly impressed. Most of the cast seemed wasted and the action was either too OTT or totally lacking in any thrills. As for Ethan's wife's acting near the end, awful to say the least. Her character seemed to change a bit too although nice cleavage.
Seemed to take a lot of elements from the first film and make a total hash of them eg the Vatican wall bit was very similar to the bit with the vault at Langley where Ethan drops down on a rope and hangs just above the floor.
nwgarratt
28-11-2006, 17:22
I just watched this and liked it a lot. It combined the OTT action from the second film and similarities with the first one in terms of story.
I definitely occasionally felt I was watching a film version of Alias which was no bad thing as well as a IM film at the same time.
The only critism is not do with the film but the DVD. The picture quality was a bit disappointng and could have been sharper.
Seemed to take a lot of elements from the first film and make a total hash of them eg the Vatican wall bit was very similar to the bit with the vault at Langley where Ethan drops down on a rope and hangs just above the floor.
That just proves they have equipment they know how to use. I liked that scene actually.
I would give it 7.5/10.
robzinski
17-11-2007, 21:59
I'm undecided on this at the minute.
I didn't dislike it, but i'm not prepared to put my foot on the other side of the line either.
The Vatican bit was right out of Alias. The score in the revival scene was ripped straight out of 'Win one for the reaper/life and death' from the Lost OST, and it distracted me as I kept thinking 'Poor Boone :('.
PSH did alright with what little he had to play with, but Lawrence Fishbourne and Simon Degg's characters kept reminding me of Dixon and Marshall.
So, 'Hang on' you say, 'If it kept reminding you of Lost and S1 or S2 of Alias, then how can it be bad?' Well thats exactly the problem. It seemed to go on for a lot longer than the 2 hour running time.
40 minutes of Sydney infiltrating stuff, getting double crossed, 'saving the day whilst either her or someone close nearly dies' used to be great, but it brings about two negative points.
1) Tom Cruise is no Jennifer Garner(Nevermind JG in some random underwear/saucy costume)
2) I found it difficult to concentrate as I constantly expecting Ron Rifkin to walk out and proclaim that the 'Rabbits Foot' was a mystery part of the Rambaldi device.
So, on its own its a decent acton film. But as an 'Old School' Alias fan, it just didn't sit right.
I'm still standing by this after re-watching it just on Sky. Its not a good film, but its not a bad film either. It just exists.
I loved the S1/S2 Alias formula, but eventually got tired that every damn thing was linked to Rambaldi/Sydney's mother. I was quite happy with the fact that it's Mission Impossible with the same formula, and that Fishbourne and Pegg WERE Dixon/Jack and Marshall.
Better than some of the later Alias episodes, and lightyears ahead of MI2 (which isn't hard, granted). I was very happy with it.
Douglas R
17-11-2007, 23:06
Just saw this for the first time on Sky HD. A typical modern action film with a nonsensical plot and ludicrous stunts - most of which I can forgive because they at least make for an entertaining couple of hours, as long as you ignore the huge plot holes. What I can't forgive is Tom Cruise going around with a stupid grin on his face the whole time and that awful happy, happy ending with all the cast gathered to laugh and wave at each other. At that moment I just wished that the villain would reappear and wipe them all out.
Ah, Mission: Impossible 3 is a funny ol' film.
See, it hits all the beats of a typical Hollywood blockbuster bang on the nose, and it actually does it rather well. However, perhaps due to its pandering to the numbers, what results is a film that leaves you feeling a little apathetic at the end.
DePalma's Mission: Impossible is probably one of the most underrated movies of the '90s - easily one of my all time favourites and manages to remain gripping on subsequent viewings. The second movie was just plain tits. The third one was a step up from the second, but it lacked that extra...something.
I just thought it was a well-rounded bog standard action film. I'm just glad they didn't screw it up like they did with MI:2
And i agree about MI:1 totally underrated
Is there a decent MI:1 out on DVD?
marcburrage82
18-11-2007, 10:59
There's a decent R1 2disc special edition thats pretty cheap now. Can't remember if they've done the same for R2 yet.
Fred2002
18-11-2007, 22:58
Am I the sole voice in the wilderness in saying I actually quite liked MI:2??? Not as good as the masterpiece that is the original of course (the terribly done Channel Tunnel nonsense not withstanding).
Niceguygeoff
19-11-2007, 00:05
The Channel Tunnel bit might be outlandish in the extreme, but it sure is exciting. Verisimilitude isn't the byword for these flicks anyway. With that in mind, I have to say that I really like Mi2. John Woo doing PG-13 sure is odd, but again, it's so silly I can't help myself.
But Mi2 is SOOOOOOOO boring!
SIMON ADEBISI
19-11-2007, 13:41
But Mi2 is SOOOOOOOO boring!
The scrap at the end was pretty good though.
The scrap at the end was pretty good though.It was a confusing mess - a John Woo trade mark may i add.
One minute they are riding motorbike on in a forest, then the next shot they are on the beach, WTF!!?! :thinking:
It was a confusing mess - a John Woo trade mark may i add.
One minute they are riding motorbike on in a forest, then the next shot they are on the beach, WTF!!?! :thinking:
Whilst that may be true for MI2 I can't really think of any other Woo films that could be considered a confusing mess.
Another fan of MI2 here, i loved it!
Liked Mi2 and Mi3.
John Woo makes great films but they are usually let down by dialogue. Even his chinese films.
Jedibitch
04-02-2008, 22:05
Watched this last night on Sky.
In my top 10 worst films. Just a horrible horrible film.
It made me want to punch Tom Cruise until my arm fell off, then pick my arm up and beat him with that.