bill bodkin chooses to accept this mission…
Release Date: May 5, 2006
First Saw It: Netflix rentals at my first apartment in Red Bank, N.J., circa 2007
What Drew Me to See It: I had seen the first two films (and liked only the first one) and I figured “what the heck, why not?”
Why Is It Lost?: Let’s face it, Mission: Impossible II was embarrassingly bad and Tom Cruise was in the midst of his “I’m in love with Katie Holmes” couch jumping PR disaster. Plus tons of negative news was coming out of the film’s camp during productions with a number of actors and directors dropping out of the project due to clashes with Cruise. The film underperformed at the US box office because of this, but still made bank worldwide.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Crudup, Laurence Fishburne, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Maggie Q, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Before-They-Were-Stars Appearances: Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad has a minor role as Michelle Monaghan’s brother.
Almost Starring…and directed by: Scarlett Johansson, Ricky Gervais and Kenneth Branagh were cast originally but all pulled out due to scheduling conflicts. They were replaced by Keri Russell, Simon Pegg and Phillip Seymour Hoffman respectively. The director’s chair was filled by both David Fincher and Joe Carnahan at point, J.J. Abrams eventually replaced them.
The Best Performance: Despite being on screen for a criminally short amount of time, Phillip Seymour Hoffman was an excellent villain. While he may not strike fear in the hearts of men physically, Seymour’s Davian was dangerous because he was a master manipulator and had a brilliant criminal mind. No one can go from peace to rage like Hoffman and he expertly executes that talent here.
The Supporting Scene Stealer: The Peggster himself, Simon Pegg as the neurotic computer tech Benji Dunn. Pegg brought the perfect amount of levity to MI:3. Without him, this film would’ve suffered from being deadly serious. He also has a wonderful chemistry with Cruise.
The Moment to Remember: The bridge scene. Ethan Hunt and company are transporting Owen Davian back to the US and are on a narrow two lane bridge in Florida. They are ambushed by Davian’s forces. All hell breaks loose, people are dying and Hunt makes an absolutely insane jump across the crumbling bridge.
The Memorable Quote: “Who are you? What’s you’re name? Do you have a wife? A girlfriend? Because if you do, I’m gonna find her. I’m gonna hurt her. I’m gonna make her bleed, and cry, and call out your name. And then I’m gonna find you,and kill you right in front of her.” — Owen Davian. This line here shows how fearsome Hoffman makes Davian.
The Groan Moment: The wedding scene between Hunt and his girlfriend Jules (Michelle Monaghan). Schmaltz-tastic.
Why I Can’t Stop Watching It: It’s not the best Mission film, one and four take that honor, but this film is one of those really solid, fun action films that you can catch on cable and just flat out enjoy.
great stuff… i loved this one… JJ really made it feel like I was watching an episode of Alias… a great show at the time. anyway, thanks for writing this… brings me back!!!