I wasn’t impressed with the big-screen
adaptation of Mission: Impossible and its sequel. Director Brian De Palma’s
take on Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Missions Force was needlessly
convoluted and employed so many plot twists and turns that it made
a Slinky look like an exercise in linear design by comparison. Even
though John Woo’s follow-up was easier to understand, in the
end it was nothing more than a souped-up remake of Hitchcock’
far superior Notorious that used slow-motion photography and
conspicuous flocks of doves to accentuate its overwrought action
scenes. In the end, both of these films underperformed, with both
directors using cinematic smoke and mirrors to cover up the obvious:
Their films were nothing but exercises in style with very little
substance. For the inevitable third part of the series,
Tom Cruise tapped veteran TV director J.J. Abrams of Alias and Lost fame to try
to make a film worthy of the classic show. Not only did Abrams have
the law of diminishing returns playing against them, he also had to
contend with the public’s perception of his film’s
star. Cruise may be the most popular film actor in the world, but
there’s no question that his reputation has taken its hits, with
recent over-the-top displays of affection for his new bride and his
tendency to preach the virtues of Scientology. Abrams’ mission,
which he chose to accept, was to make a successful action film to
rejuvenate Cruise’s career, show that he is ready to helm
megabudget big-screen movies, and provide a decent escapist vehicle for
the masses. Mission accomplished. Although it will never be confused for high
art, MI3 is
a worthy and distinctive entry in the already overcrowded
action-film arena that manages to improve on the first two parts of
the series by adhering to some basic rules of the genre. Abrams and
co-writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman not only finally give
Hunt a worthy villain with whom to go mano-a-mano, they also lend a
degree of gravity to the proceedings by delving into Hunt’s
personal life and giving our hero a genuine reason to risk life and
limb at various exotic locations around the globe. The result is a
full-throttle start to the summer film season that the competition
will be hard pressed to top. The film is plot-heavy, but it is never
purposely confusing, as the first movie was, and is constantly
moving forward, building a head of steam with each of its
increasingly fantastic set pieces. Abrams and his cast and crew go
all out to top themselves throughout the movie, and they succeed
handsomely, delivering the sort of thrills and excitement that once
were the cornerstones of the James Bond films. A helicopter chase
through a field of modern windmills gives way to an eimprssive
kidnapping scene behind the walls of the Vatican that is topped by
magnificent ambush on a bridge. All of these sequences are
elaborate, bone-rattling moments that would be the highlight of any
normal action film, but Cruise has always been one who lives to
push boundaries, and the scenes in this movie are no exception. Also in theaters this week. . .
Akeelah & The Bee [PG-13] The nail-biting world of spelling bees gains a
spirited contender when Akeelah Anderson from southern Los Angeles
sets her eyes on the prize. ShowPlace
East
An American Haunting [PG-13] Documented as the first death of a human caused
by a spirit, the story of a 19th century Tennessee family and the
mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of their daughter. ShowPlace East
The Benchwarmers [PG-13]
A trio of middle-aged has-beens forms a baseball team to compete
against area Little League teams in a feeble attempt to gain some
dignity. ShowPlace West, Route 66
Drive-In
Hoot [PG] Three
middle-school kids take a stand against some foul play regarding a
group of endangered owls. ShowPlace
West, ShowPlace East
Ice Age: The Meltdown [PG] The Ice Age is officially over and Diego, Manny and
Sid must alert the others before the ice melts and the valley is
destroyed. ShowPlace West
R.V. [PG] The
Munro family try their luck at an old-fashioned family camping trip
to the Rockies, but a group of cracked campers beat them to the
punch. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace
East
The Sentinel [PG-13] Special Agent Pete
Garrison is determined to nail a traitor before the president of
the United States gets hit. ShowPlace
West
Silent Hill [R] On
a road trip to help save her ailing daughter, Rose Da Silva stops
in Silent Hill, a desolate town with an evil presence. Rose’s
daughter goes missing, but in Silent Hill things aren’t
always as they seem. ShowPlace West,
Route 66 Drive-In
Stick It [PG-13]
Rebellious Haley leaves her life of trouble after a clash with the
police to return to a prim and polished existence as a top gymnast
with the celebrated coach, Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges). ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Take the Lead [PG-13]
Ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane takes on a bunch of New York City
school kids, and when the footwork of ballroom and hip-hop collide,
a new style is born. White Oaks
United 93 [R] The
story of the men and women on the fourth hijacked plane, United 93,
that didn’t reach its target on 9/11. ShowPlace West
The Wild [G] A
young lion departs from New York Zoo for the vast lands of Africa
leaving behind a few friends who are determined to get him back. ShowPlace West, Route 66 Drive-In
This article appears in May 4-10, 2006.
