The summer movie season is finally here as several big budget films prepare for release in hopes of huge box office success. Most of these films are good for what they are - simple popcorn entertainment. This is what made films such as The Fast & The Furious so successful. These films don't rely on plot or performances, but make up for it with awesome action sequences and strong special effects. The first and second Mission: Impossible films fell into this category. Both were very strong for what they were, but they were not "great" films. The third film in the franchise is the exception. Mission: Impossible III is an excellent film.

Several years have passed since the events of the second film and Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has started a new life. Retired from his job as a spy for the IMF, he now trains up-and-coming agents while living with his loving fiancee Julia (Michelle Monaghan). But when one of Ethan's former students named Lindsey Ferris (Keri Russell) is kidnapped by the sadistic arms dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his team, he is called back to the field in an attempt to rescue her. He assembles a new team for the mission, including old friend Luther Strickell (Ving Rhames) and newcomers Declan (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) and Zhen (Maggie Q). But when the rescue attempt goes horribly wrong, Ethan must discover what Davian is really up to - and who he can really trust.

The film is directed by J.J. Abrams, famous for creating TV's spy drama "Alias" and deserted-island thriller "Lost." Both of these shows are brilliant - balancing well-written storylines and developed characters with lots of action and thrills. M:I3 is no exception. Abrams, who also co-wrote the screenplay, creates a storyline that is actually fairly easy to understand and adds a lot of wit and energy to the mix. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously for its entire duration, which allows several successful comedic moments to come into play. The characters are also richer than ever before, with many dialogue-based scenes present for the sole purpose of developing each one. This is something that the first two films failed to do for the most part, and the improvement really shows. You actually become fairly attached to these characters and understand what they are really going through.

Abrams is also brilliant when it comes to direction. M:I3 is full of memorable moments that are exciting and visually stunning. A scene that takes place on a highway bridge is sure to be one of the year's best action sequences. It feels completely real and not computer-generated, as most films seem these days. The scenery is also used to perfection, with the visual beauty of the various locations prominently on display. He also makes a very wise decision on how to start the film. It is a particularly jarring sequence very similar to what was once seen on "Alias" that immediately grabs hold of the viewer's attention.

The performances here are also great for an action film, thanks to the talent of the all-star cast. Tom Cruise, despite all the media frenzy, is actually quite a solid actor, and this role is no exception. He seems very comfortable with this character now and knows his various strengths and weaknesses. He is undeniably charismatic, but is also able to handle dramatic sequences in a believable manner. Philip Seymour Hoffman is terrifying here, playing against type as a deranged madman. Any memory of his past work will vanish once this character really gets under your skin. Michelle Monaghan is great as well, after excellent work in last year's underrated Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. She is extremely charming and likable, and her chemistry with Cruise is completely believable. Their scenes together are some of the film's most memorable moments.

Supporting performances are also very good. Ving Rhames, like Cruise, is a veteran to this franchise and once again excels as Luther. He injects the character with a great deal of wit and provides some of the film's more comedic moments. Billy Crudup, as Ethan's close friend and co-worker at the IMF, is better-than-average thanks to strong dialogue. Keri Russell makes the most of her limited screen time by really making an impression on the audience, leaving them wanting more. Laurence Fishburne, after giving a brilliant performance in Akeelah And The Bee, is good here as the mysterious chief of staff, but his character isn't as developed as the others. Simon Pegg of Shaun Of The Dead fame is hilarious in a small role. Unfortunately, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Maggie Q are underused, but both of them still deliver decent performances for the most part.

Despite a few small flaws, this is the perfect summer action film. It is not only fast-paced and full of excellent action sequences, but it also features great performances and spectacular direction. J.J. Abrams is officially a genius.