Tom's Cruising in 'M:I3'

May 5, 2006 — -- For the record, the first two "Missions: Impossible" have grossed a billion dollars around the world.

Lots of people saw them, and I was curious. … Did anyone have any idea of what the movies were about?

I just saw "M:I3," and I don't know whether I can tell you what it's about. Then again, "Mission: Impossible" isn't about the story.

It's about the stunts. It's about the skid marks. It's about the music. It's about close calls. It's about Tom Cruise as agent Ethan Hunt in disguise at the Vatican -- as a priest.

What it's really about is summer at the movies. … And it's about time.

Last year's Oscar-winning best actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is this year's villain. He's a black market entrepreneur selling a Chinese WMD called "the Rabbit's Foot," which takes us to Shanghai, where none of the buildings has doors -- at least not for Cruise -- who makes a series of spectacular aerial entrances.

I don't think I saw Cruise walk into a doorway in the entire film. He goes through roofs. He goes in windows. He goes out windows. His parachute crash-lands in a busy intersection.

More than any other major star, Cruise challenges himself, working with the best directors he can find: Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola. This time he tried a new source -- TV -- turning to J.J. Abrams, the man behind "Alias" and "Lost," who adds a personal touch and small-screen timing that, I think, makes this the best ride of the three.

There's no snoozin' when Tom's cruisin'. That's the idea: Put your mind on Cruise control and kick back and enjoy the ride. Hey, it's summer at the movies, and this summer is starting with a roar. (Grade: B+)