Mission: Impossible III

The summer movie season is off and running, starting with a better-than-average action flick that comes close to greatness but falls just short. If nothing else, "Mission: Impossible III" is better overall than the typical opening summer acts where you have all special effects and no story. It's only when the action stops that you realize the story itself is a romance movie in disguise.

Tom Cruise reprises his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt. His mission this time, whether he wants to accept it or not, is to recover the Rabbit's Foot for Owen Davian, a very, very bad guy (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Why would he do this? Turns out he is holding the newly-married Mrs. Hunt (Michelle Monaghan) hostage somewhere in Shanghai. Ethan will get his wife back if he recovers the Rabbit's Foot within 48 hours.

Now, let's back up for a second. A lot happens -- a LOT happens -- within the first 45 minutes that sets Hunt up for this situation as he had managed to capture Davian in a little adventure at the Vatican but loses him in an ambush stateside. It is here that Hunt realizes there is someone within the government agency helping Davian in his dirty deeds.

So, all of that sets us up for one last thrilling series of events for a final showdown between Hunt and Davian. Will Ethan get the supposedly-deadly prize to Davian before his wife is killed? "M:I III" is a solid action/adventure that throws some great scenes at you, including the blowing up of a bridge, a leap from one skyscraper to another, and too many explosions to count. The surprising element for me was the emotional piece. More time than you may want is spent building Ethan up as a loving husband wanting to lead a simple life, yet knowing he cannot compromise his double life. His true mission, which he easily accepts, is to save the love of his life.

Maybe a little more romance than you want to see in an action movie, but it manages to entertain throughout. Plus, while the action makes it easier to forget about Cruise's recent off-screen antics, Hoffman once again demonstrates his ability to command every scene he's in. I give "Mission: Impossible III" a B+.

"Mission: Impossible III" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 126 minutes.