(rated PG-13, 2 hrs. 7 mins.)
I have one thought. If I were going to be stranded in the woods/or on an island I’m convinced that Tom Cruise would be the perfect year 2000 technology-driven-boy scout to be stranded with. In 90 seconds, (no less) he produces out of his Gap khaki pockets all the elements to kill off the bad guys: Duct tape, hand grenades, funky computer chips, tape recorders, guns, knives and masks (for whoever he is trying to imitate). I’m not quite sure what Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is trying to accomplish/win/do/chase, but who cares. This cliff hanging (does his own stunts), rock climbing, karate kicking, sliding across broken glass stud of a man is so entertaining, and actually funny at times, it was pure enjoyment for the quickest 2 hours and 7 minutes I ever sat through! I believe the premise has something to do with Cruise rescuing/sparing the world from some deadly virus that kills people within 36 hours. So, Cruise behaves like the Duracelle bunny. He keeps going and going and going to a point where we say “ok, we know you can kick box already.” Or, in the car chase scene we beg, “pull over before she goes over the cliff and you never get to sleep with her!” Her… being his love interest and thief, Thandie Newton, who portrays Nyah Hall. Anthony Hopkins has a small role, but again, I’m not sure who he is except some boss type guy that Ethan Hunt reports to. The effective cinematography and stylish visuals will blow you away. And, the hip, sensual soundtrack makes you want to roll over your car hood and karate chop before starting your ignition on the drive home. But it’s the constant “mask” scenes that got me. I fell for it 4 times. You will too but I can’t tell you why or I’ll ruin the surprises. And, this is a movie that is full of them. Director John Woo has really done it this time in an over the top Memorial Day blockbuster flick that has Cruise accomplishing such ridiculous feats that could only happen “in the movies.” Mission Accomplished.
I have one thought. If I were going to be stranded in the woods/or on an island I’m convinced that Tom Cruise would be the perfect year 2000 technology-driven-boy scout to be stranded with. In 90 seconds, (no less) he produces out of his Gap khaki pockets all the elements to kill off the bad guys: Duct tape, hand grenades, funky computer chips, tape recorders, guns, knives and masks (for whoever he is trying to imitate). I’m not quite sure what Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is trying to accomplish/win/do/chase, but who cares. This cliff hanging (does his own stunts), rock climbing, karate kicking, sliding across broken glass stud of a man is so entertaining, and actually funny at times, it was pure enjoyment for the quickest 2 hours and 7 minutes I ever sat through! I believe the premise has something to do with Cruise rescuing/sparing the world from some deadly virus that kills people within 36 hours. So, Cruise behaves like the Duracelle bunny. He keeps going and going and going to a point where we say “ok, we know you can kick box already.” Or, in the car chase scene we beg, “pull over before she goes over the cliff and you never get to sleep with her!” Her… being his love interest and thief, Thandie Newton, who portrays Nyah Hall. Anthony Hopkins has a small role, but again, I’m not sure who he is except some boss type guy that Ethan Hunt reports to. The effective cinematography and stylish visuals will blow you away. And, the hip, sensual soundtrack makes you want to roll over your car hood and karate chop before starting your ignition on the drive home. But it’s the constant “mask” scenes that got me. I fell for it 4 times. You will too but I can’t tell you why or I’ll ruin the surprises. And, this is a movie that is full of them. Director John Woo has really done it this time in an over the top Memorial Day blockbuster flick that has Cruise accomplishing such ridiculous feats that could only happen “in the movies.” Mission Accomplished.