On Mission: Impossible III
As far as I’m concerned, the Mission: Impossible franchise is a bit hit or miss. The first one being the most solid, with a cast that compliments each other and a good story line with just enough of the over the top action that keeps you hooked. M:I2, directed by John Woo, was a little more artistic. There was fast action, but the movie felt slow and rather long. After viewing the third installment I have reached a few conclusions: (There might be a SPOILER or two in there so be careful…)
1: Tom Cruise has a big ego. Its not as apparent in the older films. I don’t know for certain, but maybe I picked up the Mission: Impossible III Cruise Special Edition. Now with 28 extra minutes of footage of just Tom Cruise himself! Also, I have no idea how he ran so fast in those tight pants….
2: There were no supporting actors. Due to Tom’s large ego, there just simply wasn’t enough time to develop any of the other characters. We are to assume we know the background of the rest of his team as they are never discussed. One scene in particular that stuck out; The two members of the team in the Land Rover talking about a prayer that one said in her youth. The other asks her to teach it to him. She barely exhales and, “I’VE GOT THE RABBITS FOOT! I CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE ROOF.” Thanks Tom, we almost got some back story there. Didn’t need any of that though.
3: Hollywood needs to shake the camera a little less. Not so much a dig at the movie as just sort of general PA. I understand that camera shake adds energy and tension to the shot. But for the love of Luther Vandross, PLEASE drink a little less coffee before the shoot. I would sometimes like to see whats kind of going on.
4: I was actually digging the movie until the end. No, really I was. But I found the conclusion to be altogether hokey. We never even find out what we really wanted to know! The movie totally had promise. I honestly was on the edge of my seat for some of it. That might have been because they were going to kill Michelle Monaghan. (Michelle was also in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang which I highly recommend.)
5: Tom Cruise has a big ego. Yeah, I know I said it once but I’m saying it again for a reason. One of the previews on to the movie is a Tom Cruise collection on DVD. Every movie he starred in. Its sick. I’m not going to lie. You know its funny, I heard on the radio today that according to a recent study, he tops the list for “celebrities that get too much press and nobody would really mind if they saw less of”.
Thus concludes my conclusions. Let me know what your thoughts are if you saw the movie. Tell me if you’ll still see the movie if you haven’t yet. Otherwise, tell me your favorite Tom Cruise movie.
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by Larry
On November 6, 2006 at 9:33 pm
I doubt I’ll ever see the movie, especially given the fact that Tom Cruise is in it. Despite his personal beliefs, whatever, the guy’s a freaking nut. I can easily see why Paramount dropped him and was willing to pay the “severance package,” so to speak.
His ego is huge. Bar none, practically. There’s just no arguing that.
My major concern, however, is with Mission: Impossible II. Granted, it’s a John Woo, so it’s going to be over-the-top, physically impossible, yada yada. But two men jumping off of motorcycles to start fighting each other in midair is too much. I wanted to take the movie and burn it – literally – the first time I saw that move.
At this point in time, I think that just fuels my distaste for the actor in general. Probably not his fault on the M:I 2 thing, but meh, might as well blame the guy.
by Chris HP
On November 6, 2006 at 9:38 pm
My favorite tom Cruise movie? Let’s see… Collateral.
Because *spoiler alert* he dies.
by travis
On November 6, 2006 at 9:43 pm
I hate to stick up for a general loser, but M:I3 was actually an interesting action flick, if you can get past Tom’s dominating screen presence. The director J.J. Abrams, of Lost and Alias fame, did a good job with the movie. Tom Cruise was actually one of the producers so that would explain some of the reason we couldn’t go 5 minutes without seeing him.
Interestingly enough, Abrams is making a new Star Trek movie as well. I like Star Trek a little more than the next guy, but even I have limits. Best of luck to you John.
by Chris HP
On November 8, 2006 at 10:40 am
They’re really trying to reinvent Star Trek lately. More boobs, more guns, Data dying a lot, less Shatner, more explosive sex. Bone me up, Scotty.