By Susanne Robbins

When I was asked to review this movie I didn't really jump up and down. Who hasn't had their fill of the Cruise machine in the last little while? I wasn't thrilled with MI2 by John Woo (yes, I meant for that to rhyme). While a nice combination of a hair commercial and the foreshadowing of the new bird flu epidemic, it just wasn't my cup of tea. So I sat in the seat clutching my TomKat on the motorcycle key chain, umm doesn't everyone have one? I was praying to well... I was just saying out loud please don't let this movie let me down.

JJ Abrams you have come a long way from Felicity my friend, I love you! The opening sequence of this film had me hooked and you never let me go from there. This film is non stop action, an actual plot and some great characters to boot. Philip Seymour Hoffman was a cruel, cold blooded villain and I loved every minute of it. The gadgets, as always, were great, but the non stop action was what got me. I loved that I was never really sure where the story was going, but I mean that in a positive way. Yes there are a few predictable moments, but what movie doesn't have them these days. Tom shows a few of the signature intense crying maneuvers and corner of the mouth smiles that we have grown to love. However, like Zoolander, I find that he is perfecting another look, the welling up of the tear in the left eye. Good job Tom, good show.

The film follows Ethan Hunt as he has now accepted a job as a trainer for IMF. He has a fiance (Michelle Monaghan) and what seems to be a wonderful life. Until an old friend comes a calling, Musgrave (Billy Crudup) asks Ethan to join the team for one last mission. So he gets roped into a rescue mission to save an old student and friend (Keri Russell), which then brings him back to IMF. He encounters Theodore Brassel (Laurence Fishburne) apparently the new brass at IMF and one tough cookie. Brassel has been in search of the man who was holding Felicity hostage, and is none too happy that Ethan may have just messed up their only lead to catch him. Ethan, to help save face and to get back at the man who hurt Felicity, begins his search for Owen Davain (Hoffman), a man IMF has wanted to catch for years but can't seem to get their hands on. Unfortunately, Mr. Hunt has no idea just how ruthless this man can be, and that trying to mess with his life was the worst mistake he could ever make. He does business with everyone but can't seem to be caught. The gang for this adventure includes, Luther (Ving Rhames) of course. Although now we have two new additions, Declan (Jonathan Rhys Myers) and Zhen (Maggie O), the four bring together a great team and a fun dynamic. They also bring a younger element to the movie which I think people will enjoy.

The film is littered with the normal 'trust no one' feelings. Just when you think you know someone - always know that they may have a trick or two up their sleeve. JJ has done a great job of keeping you on the edge of your seat for basically the whole movie. Let's just say no one was running to the bathroom until it was all over. You just never wanted to miss a second because you were never sure what you would miss. I may stand alone but I will say it anyway, this was by far my favorite of the three, and as long as all the characters and JJ are on board I will be waiting in line for the next one.