Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence and menace, disturbing images and some sensuality.
Directed by J.J. Abrams (TV’s Lost, and Alias)
Starring Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne…
How often does the third film in the series trump its predecessors? In my book, MI3 does just that.
I love a movie that puts you on the edge of your seat immediately. Let me expand on that: I hate movies that don’t grab me right away. I don’t want to boost your expectations too high, but strictly referring to the first 5 minutes of the film, MI3 delivered one of the best film intro’s I’ve seen in the last decade. The writing was phenomenal. And the film maintained my interest from start to finish.
In this film, Ethan Hunt comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer (Hoffman) while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his girlfriend.
Hoffman is fabulous. He’s always been great, but MI3 might have just launched him from “that character actor that you recognize from Cold Mountain, Red Dragon and Almost Famous” to an actual “name.” (Because how many people really saw Copote?)
Yes, the audience was still asked to believe “the impossible” at times throughout this film, but nothing like MI2’s slow mo, one-armed, motorcycle stoppy, twisting while shooting with the other arm… give me a freaking break!
The action was much less “Woo,” but never less entertaining. And Abrams’ influence on the script was a vast improvement over the past films.
And I’ll be the first to admit that Cruise is not my favorite person. He’s kinda freaky actually. But setting my prejudice aside, he did a great job in this film, just as he did in Collateral, The Last Samurai, Jerry McGuire… lets face it, the guy is good at what he does.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The film is filled with violence, an implied sex scene where a couple kiss and the woman strips to her bra, and an assortment of colorful words scattered throughout.
You can check out specific content on www.KidsInMind.com
Side Note:
We don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
