I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. He's at least tolerable since shutting up about Scientology but his movies are pretty much cuts and pastes from things that have already been done. The Mission Impossible series are the worst. Just one example is I still remember the first time an impersonation mask was used in a film (maybe it was in the original series?) It was novel then. After being repeated multiple times in the the Cruise MI films it just gets expected and old.
This movie is sorta the same thing, built from the same standard libraries. Exotic/beautiful locations - check. Hot motorcycle - check. Hot car (only one I think, but lots of planes instead) - check. Hot chick - check. Bar scene - check. Stereotyped masculinity - check. Saved from dying at the last second (multiple times) - check.
But to my surprise I was drawn in. Even though the objects are the same he did a really good job of using them. Plot was a bit more complex than usual with characters not so shallow. He seemed to be doing more than the usual macho character, showing some emotion. I've always felt that he came off as an arrogant p.... in his films who I would have no interest in knowing. He was actually a sympathetic character here, showing some vulnerability. He may actually turning into a real actor.
