Mission: Impossible III

Starring Tom Cruise, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Laurence Fishburne, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Billy Crudup

Rated PG-13

The “Mission: Impossible” movies don’t rank amongst the greatest film franchises of all time, but director J.J. Abrams has filled the third film with such energy and excitement that a possible fourth “Mission: Impossible” movie is certainly warranted. Tom Cruise is back as secret agent Ethan Hunt, but the most exciting character in the film is Owen Davian (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), one of the best cinematic villains in a long time.

            As “Mission: Impossible III” opens, Hunt is considering leaving his action-packed career for a quieter and more pleasant life with his new, unassuming bride, Julia (Michelle Monaghan.) But Hunt soon ventures out after Davian, who not only killed his spy protégé Lindsey (Keri Russell) but is planning to sell a lethal toxin that could cause extreme damage. Assisting Hunt on his mission is Luther (Ving Rhames), Zhen (Maggie Q), and Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and their worldwide adventures after Davian and his schemers lead them to Rome and Shanghai, among other locations. The tables soon turn when Hunt is captured by Davian, and he is forced to face the consequences as Julia’s life is threatened.

“Mission: Impossible III” has many references to the first two films, such as tricky scenarios in which characters use an advanced computer program to disguise themselves as other people. But overall, the movie is quite different and much better than its predecessors, with both the greatness of Hoffman’s villain and the uniqueness of Abrams’ directing contributing to the improvement. “Mission: Impossible III” is one of the best ways to spend time in a movie theater this summer.

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