KNIGHT AND DAY - Cruise & Diaz Sizzle

KNIGHT AND DAY (action thriller)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Maggie Grace, Peter Sarsgaard, Marc Blucas, Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Stream and Nicole Signore
Director: James Mangold
Screenplay:Patrick O'Neill
Time: 110 mins
Rating: * * * (out of 4)


WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL: Somewhat like Mission: Impossible topped up with generous helpings of humour, globe-trotting and incredulous action, Knight And Day obviously set out to be a summer actioner and accomplishes its mission. Its strength is the pairing of Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise (last seen together in Vanilla Sky) and the chemistry is both bustling and bubbly. Don't anybody ask for more.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT: June Havens (Diaz), a 30-something Mid-West woman, is on her way to her sister's wedding, when she finds her life turned upside down after a chance encounter with Roy Miller (Cruise), a secret agent on the run from rival spies and hit-men.

HITS & MISSES: After the opening scenes, where Roy knocks out an entire jet plane of baddies (all while June is in the restroom), we realise that nothing bad is ever gonna happen to him and the sense of danger dissipates. What is left is the comedy and the touch of ridiculousness in its action pieces that rivals some of Bond's best.

I like the shootouts on motorbike and in the factory. Indeed, in a movie which starts off with a plane crash, director James Mangold seems forced to up the ante with one crazy stunt after another. Having Cruise and Diaz around helps too. Cruise has not aged a bit since his Ethan Hunt (of M:I2) days and here he looks even more suave and relaxed as he calms June down before each action piece. If not for his height, he would have made a great Bond.

Initially, Diaz does not have much to do except scream a bit but she warms up later when she gets guns in her hand. And yes, she is still hot in a bikini.

THE LOWDOWN: One of the better Summer hits.