Four out of Five stars
Running time: 125 mins

An impressive big screen debut for Lost creator J.J. Abrams, this is a blockbuster that’s actually worthy of the name, featuring non-stop action, spectacular set-pieces, superb performances and a decent plot – the summer starts here.

What’s it all about?
Tom Cruise returns as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt, who has decided to step down from active duty and stick to training, intending to lead the quiet life with his new wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan).

However, when a former student of his (Keri Russell) goes missing, Ethan finds himself recalled to action and hot on the trail of deadly arms dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Unfortunately for Ethan, things don’t go quite according to plan and his actions inadvertently put Julia’s life in danger.

The Good
J.J. Abrams is an old hand at the spies‘n’stunts genre, having been the creator and driving force behind TV’s Alias, and he makes an impressive big screen debut here. The film is, literally, non-stop action from beginning to end, with barely a pause for breath in between.

The Great
Cruise proves once again that, no matter what your opinion of the man, he’s a simply fantastic movie star. He even gets to flex his acting muscles a bit and boy, can he run, the running sequence is a particular highlight.

There’s also strong support from Michelle Monaghan, while Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a superb villain.

Worth seeing?
Mission: Impossible 3 is that rarest of things – a blockbuster threequel that’s actually better than the previous two films. Highly recommended.