In this well done piece building on the story made famous on television (a rare but exciting reversal in film/television relationships), Tom Cruise produces and stars in a slick film full of action, and even a little romance and hearty portions of intrigue.
The stars alongside Cruise make the story come alive, especially with some excellent type casting of our French looking "The Professional" star who plays as the wheel man, procurrer and heavy as part of Cruise's "disavowed" team.
The plot is pretty clear about one third of the way into the story, and your suspects are few, with the ending not being all that surprising.
However, a few facial shots of Cruise as he anquishes about the death of his mentor, the role the mentor's wife has played, and finally the discovery of telling facts, all lead us into discovering the true answers and their confirmation right along with our protagonist.
Unfortunately, as is the case with many over-hyped movies, we see all the great action scenes in the previews and therefore are left with just the filler, no great scenes lie in wait...well save one in the first thirty minutes of the movie...lots of water.
There are a few interesting tidbits however, and a waltz into CIA headquarters in Langley, VA. is fun to imagine, let alone visualize, especially as we see an excellent photo from the air of the highly secret facility.
Overall, the movie is a good time at the theatre, especially if the sound system is digital and loud. Cruise comes off quite well in the story, making use of his well practiced haunted look, as well as a few shots showing the anger and determination. What is added to the Cruise persona now is the cool collected, man-in-charge, but with that same boyish vulnerability we have come to appreciate. Casting ensured no one overshadowed him in this film, yet the others provide an excellent dramatic background combined with precise interests to draw you away from the main line of the story at just the appropriate places.
Aside from the great sound track at the theatre, however, we could have waited for the video.