Armed with a plot containing enigmatic essence and all the things that have made the franchise such an enormous success: eye-opening action, heart-pounding thrills and shuddering chills; this worthy contender cannot be ignored without admiring the overall execution of film, from the unique lighting to the impressive ensemble of actors who managed to level out the playing field by balancing their dramatic abilities with their physically demanding roles. It's definitely no easy task to attain an ample amount of both elements in an action film, yet it was a risk they would have to take in order to establish the film as a valuable entry not only in the entire franchise, but the upper echelons of the action genre as well.
After a few high-profile missions which included nothing but turmoil and peril, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has chosen to retire from the IMF and marry the woman of his life, Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Very much in love and happy with his current situation, Ethan has nothing to worry about anymore and hopes to put his past as an agent behind him, choosing to focus on his future with Julia and the start of a new chapter in his own life. However, just as his new life has begun to sink in, the past has suddenly crawled back into his lap and is just as tormenting and vehement as it ever was, threatening both his life as well as Julia's now that they are together. Apprehensive of the dangers which await him back on the field, Ethan has chosen to take on the mission of rescuing his most commended pupil, Lindsey Farris (Kerri Russell), after she was captured by the world's most dangerous and elusive criminal, Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who uses a sadistic approach when dealing with his adversaries and pursuers. The mission isn't exactly a piece of cake, so Ethan is assigned a new team with an old friend who's been there from the very beginning. Now, with the team's diverse expertise in technology, strategy and combat, they are ready to not only rescue Lindsey, but also infiltrate Davian's agenda to find out what exactly his plans are involving an object which could possibly be utilized to perform mass destruction in the form of an atom bomb, only more severe. Upon conclusion, the mission turns out to be a debacle and there is very little hope that the agency will be able to recover any fresh clues about Davian's malicious plans. Ethan also starts to doubt whether risking his and his girlfriend's life is even remotely worth the strain put on him by the agency, but chooses to go with his gut and continue investigating and ultimately devising a plan to kidnap Davian in order to set things straight. The question is, can he follow through on this mission and keep his identity a secret from Davian in order to avoid anymore harm inflicted on someone who he cares deeply about?
I would have to say that this is a phenomenally shot film and a wonderful addition to the action genre which no doubt surpasses its predecessors by a million miles in terms of technological advancements and the elaborate scheming and manipulation of the plotline. Filled with so many intense twists and turns that keep you at the edge of your seat, I'm sincere when I say that the editing and special effects of the film were above average and absolutely mind-blowing to witness. The photography and diversity of the various locations was absolutely stunning, while pairing it with the exotic vibe of the intricately choreographed action sequences and beautifully made sets makes it an undeniable pleasure to see on-screen. The cinematography was absolutely top-notch; achieved to the peak of perfection for each and every scene whether it be cutting edge, mysterious, macabre or serene, each emotion was seamlessly conveyed through the use of lighting and distinct camera angles implemented during each particular scene of the film. I really appreciate how much careful consideration was put into the palette choices of each scene, transferring effortlessly to the screen without a single thought about it being calculated or contrived. It's a strenuous task to accomplish while trying not to make the film look overly stylized or lurid, but this crew clearly knows how to perform such duties with a finesse which upholds the theory of yin and yang.
Now, because there is a more serious relationship taking presence in this film between Ethan and Julia it was really heart-warming and unexpected to see not only the stunning chemistry between Cruise and Monaghan, but also how the lighting was executed during those emotional moments between the couple. There is one scene on the roof between the couple when there is nothing but darkness around them, yet only a tender light is shining on their faces which reflects the dynamic of their bond and how delicate and unconditional their love really is towards each other. Conveyed with such fragility and purity, it was enough to make even the coldest hearts melt with empathy. Of all action films, its hard to come by one which values humanity and relationships over mindless and explosive action performances as much as this one does.
Also, when it comes to having an ensemble cast, it's very important to establish a discernible bond between each character even though they may be from very different backgrounds. I would say the script and screenplay made this aspect a success in the viewers' eyes because of the interaction between all the characters, no matter how small. It's just those little moments in time that create a firm connection between characters and maintain that unity for the rest of the story; this also makes the characters more relatable and prone to sympathy from the viewers, which is a major success for any film because by luring us in and exploiting our feelings, it brings out the best in us and forces us to put ourselves in the shoes of these agents, who risk their lives in the hopes of protecting so many others.
The lesson to be learned from this film is most obviously the struggles of juggling a career and family. Although Ethan's career involves so much risk not only on his part, especially now that he has fallen in love, he depends solely on his training and pragmatic nature as opposed to how his feelings have evolved with Julia by his side. It's a tough stew to cook without it boiling over and giving you a burn, but it looks like anything is possible when Ethan Hunt has lived through it. His character can be interpreted as a real life superman despite his tendency to make mistakes, like all human tend to do, but it's admiring to see that a man like him can go through life with the coolness and attitude to make it work. Let's see you try keeping all of his burdens in your head without having a mental breakdown, when one wrong move on a mission can cost you your livelihood as well as your team's. Don't forget to add the pressure of protecting innocent civilians from the malice and sordid behavior of the world's top criminals and you'll see why Agent Hunt is such a reliable asset for the IMF. Can you imagine the level of composure you'd have to master to be at the top of your game in such physically and mentally competitive field? This counts towards your journey in life as well as your professional progression through the years, but take from it what you will when I say that Ethan Hunt is a man for all seasons.
Overall, mission accomplished. What more could an action junkie want from a film with such vibrant and memorable events and revelations that increase in shock value as the movie unfolds. Plus, you have the added benefit of bringing along others who enjoy movies that lean towards sentimentality and dramatic performances. This movie has managed to fit it all in for your convenience and viewing pleasure no matter what kind of genre fits your fancy, and I strongly recommend you see it if you haven't already.
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