andrewiangillies

I've read some of the other critical reviews, and agree with a lot of them, so I'll try and add something new. Those around in the 90s might remember Oasis' first 3 albums. The first brilliant. The second, a very worthy follow up. The third...hmm....the greatness still lurked within there, but it was just too bloated. And that's how I feel about this film. It's just too bloated. It's too climatic. It tries to be too great. And so we lose some of what made some of the other MI films so watchable. Crucially, we lose some of the lightness and fun, and oddly, some of the sense of adventure. Rather than try and make a cinematic 'Nolan style' epic, they should have stuck to a rip roaring 2 hour adventure. Still....with all that said, it's still a really good film, and I might happily re-watch it at some point. We really shouldn't be too harsh on it, given the general state of action-cinema in recent years.

If I don't give this film a 10, I'm not giving anything a 10. The only other film that rivals it for me is Shawn Of The Dead. Interestingly, when I first saw it, I certainly liked it, but can't say I loved it. But it's a film I've come back to again, and again. I must have seen it 20-30 times now, and each time, I love it again. And I'm not a wine drinker. Maybe it's because when I first saw it, I was a hopeful 30 year old.... I had to grow into middle age and relate to the existential angst that both characters share, albeit in different ways.....''you don't understand my plight''. But this isn't a miserable film, for all the character's woes, I find it deeply optimistic and brimming with life. Most importantly, it's very real. Very human. It's funny. And the soundtrack is perfect. Over the years I've recommended this film to many people....many of which ignore the recommendation. And some of those that watch it, do like it....but don't love it. So it's always a lovely thing to talk to someone who loves this film like I do. Sort of feels like being in an exclusive club.

It's easy to understand why film divides people. What can be great in one person's eyes, can be dull in another person's. This film is by no means a brilliant film, but I find it hard to believe that anyone could dislike it, and that's a pretty rare thing. Absolutely full of character, charm and humor. Cage is typically wonderful, but for me, Pascal just about steals it. But only because Cage gives him the perfect platform to shine. It took me a couple of years to get round to seeing this.... I kept prevaricating for some reason....but I'm glad that I've seen it, and might watch it again sometime.