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'Mission: Impossible III': Like Cruise, weird but watchable

See Tom.

See Tom run.

See Tom run and run and run.

Paramount Pictures 'Mission: Impossible III' B- The verdict: Probably the best "Mission" yet, with a manic Tom Cruise and excellent supporting cast. Director: J.J. Abrams Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan Run time: 126 minutes Release date: May 5, 2006 Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images and some sensuality. See showtimes Sneak peek! Preview the "Misson: Impossible III" action with these stills from the movie. Mission: Comparables Atlanta Journal-Constitution film critic Bob Longino compares all three MI movies side-by-side. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Mission: Impossible III'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

There's something distinctly elementary about Tom Cruise's new super-spy, summer blasting-cap "Mission: Impossible III."

It lags behind the smarter, more compelling Jason Bourne cinematic thrillers, but "Mission III" is a solid enough popcorn movie, firmly popped and professionally packaged to kick off the summer season.

"III" is probably the best action movie so far out of the "Impossible" pipeline. Which isn't too bold a statement. The original, all Brian De Palma glossy and European, bore an impenetrable plot. "II" was way over-the-top John Woo (which means too much slo-mo and a persistent flock of pigeons for atmosphere). "III" cost a lot of cash — about $150 million — but it's got the money shots, eye-candy locations (China, Italy), bits of humor, special effects bravado and acting prowess to suggest the outlay has been worth it.

Director J.J. Abrams (TV's "Lost") keeps us interested in this latest version, even when his story — about some secret something that threatens the world and must be found by Cruise's good-guy spy, Ethan Hunt, as he battles a sadistic arms dealer (Philip Seymour Hoffman) — goes a little haywire. Abrams seems to understand pacing and can handle intimate scenes with the same finesse he shows with high-adrenaline action sequences.

Still, while all the action is heart-pounding with huge explosions, waves of bullets and car-crunching chase scenes, one wonders just how a high-powered missile can explode on a bridge behind Cruise (yes, he's running at the time) and blow him sideways, smashing him into a stopped vehicle.

But everything about Cruise here is unbelievable and excessive.

Outracing even "Run Lola Run," he runs and runs in such a full sprint, one can only imagine the wind parting to get out of the way.

Nobody's eyes bulge with such intensity in hand-to-hand combat. Nobody's sigh is meant to express love any deeper.

Those sighs are aimed at Cruise's new "Mission" love interest, Michelle Monaghan ("The Bourne Supremacy"), who, bizarrely enough, has been made to look almost identical to Katie Holmes.

While Cruise is, as producer and lead actor, the focus of "III," at least he's also smart enough to surround himself with undeniable talent.

Hoffman (Oscar's best actor for "Capote") is simply terrific, going against his usual screen type to display an unnervingly vicious mean streak.

Billy Crudup and Laurence Fishburne are spot-on as tightly wound government suits. So is Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("Match Point"), who has little to do but makes the most out of what would normally be a throwaway role — Impossible Mission Force van and copter driver.

Ving Rhames is back as a member of Hunt's IMF team and has all the funny lines. Keri Russell (TV's "Felicity") is efficient and believable in a short role as an IMF agent. And as a slightly quirky and bright IMF lab staffer, Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead") has only two small scenes, but he makes each stand out in a very busy two-hour movie.

These actors don't overshadow Cruise but balance him out. His off-screen celebrity has reached King of Pop helter-skelter status. It infects the intensity he brings to his love scenes with his Katie-esque co-star, the manic essence with which his body shakes in his scenes with Hoffman.

Cruise's ultra-acting style could be enough to wreck most movies. But Abrams keeps the film on course.

He allows Cruise to be Cruise. Which means the movie can feel a little weird. Like when Cruise shows up in a disguise that's a dead ringer for his character in "Born on the Fourth of July" and starts speaking in Czech.

It's like Abrams understands the public perception of Cruise's kooky celebrity. So why not embrace it.

Now let's watch Cruise jump off a high Shanghai building. Because he's crazy enough to do it. And, what luck for us, it makes for a watchable action movie.