Mission: Impossible III MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q. Action/adventure. Written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & J. J. Abrams. Directed by J. J. Abrams.

FILM SNYOPSIS: Tom Cruise returns as Special Agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission of his life when his bride to be is kidnapped by a vengeful super crook, a madman attempting to develop a computer virus that will not only destroy the Internet, but mankind as well.

PREVIEW REVIEW: This Mission has had more obstacles than found in the entire TV series. Directors and cast came and went out of creative differences, the studio moved its intended 2005 release nearly a year beyond, and many in the industry began to wonder if the stars erratic personal behavior would hurt the films boxoffice. To top it off, now that we can see it, the writers of the convoluted script expect us to disavow any connection with plausibility. Trying to make sense out of the convoluted script would take a special decoder device evidently handed out only to the films producer. That said, this is the best action adventure film Ive seen in years.

Special effects abound, the action is breakneck, and its star remains charismatic, with a seductive smile granted by the gods of Thespian only to movie stars. And of course, theres that score. The Mission Impossible theme remains one of the best, topped only by 007s. The arrangement/orchestration here may even be better than the original. Lively, intense, the film accomplishes its mission. However, please read the content before deciding to attend.

Video Alternative: If you do not wish to support a film containing the profane use of Gods name, try renting the 1965 espionage caper, The Ipcress File with Michael Caine. Although it suggests some sexual activity, it doesn't bombard your senses with a lot of rough language or sexuality like much of today's cinema, but rather focuses on a great spy story.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Paramount