One of the reasons that M:Is action works so well is the nature of the man whos in the midst of all the excitement. The crucial thing is this: Ethan Hunt does not want to climb the Burj. You can tell that hed rather be anyplace else. While engaging in or running away from violence, Hunts eyes bug out and his jaw trembles. Put this together with the hilarious way Hunt has of running, and its like Tom Cruise is clowning or channeling Wile E. Coyote. Hunt is a stupidly brave yet reluctant human being thrust into the role of superspy. He loves his wife and he treasures his team. Hunt is a sympathetic hero through and through. The Craig Bond films acknowledge that Bond does not care about killing, or for the most part about anyone in his life. He is praised and insulted as a blunt instrument. And yes, he wouldnt be good at his job if he minded killing. Sure. But a character that spends a film not minding what hes doing doesnt make an involving story. The most you get out of Bond while hes running around cutting people down is a raised eyebrow and a jiggling cheek. Bond doesnt care about whats happening, so neither do I. Though the Bond films have teased out some of his flaws and truer feelings through interactions with Vesper and M, the character just spends too much time in default mode to stay interesting. As always, this thing comes down to taste. I like my heroes a bit more vulnerable. I like Ethan Hunt because he grumbles and whines, because he looks so peculiar in motion, and because he so obviously cares.
