adminType of film: International action
Running time: 122 minutes
Age restriction: Adults only
Reviewed by Prof Joel White
Tom Cruise, now entering his 50s, and born in New York, has been around for a quarter century; still an acquired taste which many film-goers have not acquired.
The current film under review, also known by its subtitle “Mission Impossible,” is the fourth of the series. Cruise, in the role of Ethan Hunt initiated the sequence in 1996 with John Woo as director. The current film is reputed to have cost over US$100 million to make. Therefore, considering its great cost and admitted production values, it
will undoubtedly seem like quibbling to do anything but sing its praises. But quibble I must.
Overloading the film with scenes of the rawest action, improbability and lapses of sequence abound. It reminds of the circus story of the man who was bound in chains from head to toe. Of whom it was then said: “With one mighty leap he bound free.”
On the other hand, and always appealing to me now that my travelling days are over, viewers of the film will get to spend considerable time in, first, Dubai, which currently boasts the tallest building in the world. Ethan (Cruise) has to worm his way into the building; and then he descends slowly and dangerously sliding down its exterior.
The film’s opening takes place in Moscow, where Cruise has gained not only entrance, but having donned a moustache and officer’s clothing he is soon outed and, as frequently in the film, runs (literally) for his life.
Is this film shown in Russia? It opens with Cruise and his cohort easily infiltrating the Kremlin and then blowing it up. How would Americans react to a film which
depicted the destruction of, say, the White House.
As the film ends it is clear that we have not seen the end of this series. Mission Impossible No. 5 is already being planned. And we already have some insight as to its content. It is clear that Ethan Hunt (Cruise) will reunited with his — she’s not dead after all —wife and I’m wondering who the (lucky) actress will be.
Highly recommended for action-loving fans.
Online Reporter