madelinehind

I like the attempt to flesh out palmers character and background. I like the idea of being more faithful to the book. Unfortunately I cannot take the lead actor seriously. He looks like Joe 90 and is about as animated. You cannot make a series of a classic book with a main actor who literally makes the audience cringe. To add insult to injury the opening scenes are similar to the opening of the 60s movie which just invites direct comparison between Joe Cole and Michael Caine. Comparison which is not favourable to Mr Cole.

Jessica Chasrain supposedly turned down a role in the Tom Cruise Mission Impossible film series so it is easy to see where the idea comes from for the 355. Chastain tries to rectify her error by being involved in the creation of this wannabe franchise.

Unfortunately for her the film is a perfect example of bland. The pacing is pedestrian, the plot non existent and the characters, for the most part, cypher. Chastain, as the main character, is the least interesting character and is far less charismatic than Lupita, Cruz and Kruger.

All this could be compensated for if the film had spectacular action scenes like those performed by Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible series. The action is unimaginative and the exciting bits are obviously performed by stunt doubles. When the actors.

Awful. This is a lazy cynical cash grab which I suspect didn't grab any cash.

Budget is microscopic, writing is horrible, acting is cringeworthy and the director either didn't care or has no talent. Probably both.

It's not even rubbish in an entertaining way. It's just a drag.