The fantastic action sequences and team charm typical of the franchise are overshadowed by a tortuously jumbled, drawn out story line with too many despicably wicked characters keeping the upper hand throughout, even in the fight scenes, staying a step ahead of Cruise & crew all the way through by the skin-of-their-teeth to the last second. Utterly ridiculous in the extreme, it succeeds only as mindlessly thrilling fantasy entertainment, with apparently no expense spared on effects.