(Originally published November 9th, 2018)For this episode of Parking Lot Critiques, Jeffrey and I continue through #ayearofspies with J. J. Abrams' film, Mission: Impossible 3.

Abrams' film is a huge stylistic shift from previous films in the franchise, having a more serious, grounded, contemporary tone. It felt to us, in many respects, kind of like the first "new" Mission: Impossible film, sharing much more in common with the latest entries in the franchise than with Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible or John Woo's sequel to that film.

Listen to Jeffrey and I discuss the film's complex narrative structure (perhaps the most complex in the series due to its nonlinear aspects), the remarkable performances of the cast, and the best Luther/Ethan bonding moments.

Overall, we found this to be an excellent entry in the franchise and a significant step in a wonderful direction.

Check back next week for our review of Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, which is, in my view, the first masterpiece of the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Thanks for listening!

-Andy