I'm not a big fan of Tom Cruise. That said, I think that he can be a good actor in some films.
I pretty much only see a "Tom Cruise" film if I like something else about it. I went to see "Top Gun" because it was a fun movie. I paid more attention to Val Kilmer (hell, I even thought Anthony Edwards as "Goose" was more appealing)...
I was pleasantly surprised at his range in "Rain Man". I expected Hoffman to steal the movie (which he did), but I was impressed by Tom's acting for once.
But then he did "Days of Thunder"? Ugh. Not appealing, not really a range-buster. And while "Far and Away" was supposed to be a good movie (no, I didn't see it) I just couldn't see him as anything but Tom Cruise playing an Irishman for a school play or something. He was back to his patented 'squint your eyes and clench your jaw to show emotion' range.
Like C Roberts, I was appalled at his being cast as Lestat. But I saw the film and liked it. I even liked him. Wow! That one role, however, did not make me a fan.
I saw "Mission: Impossible" once. That was enough, I just didn't like it -- I think the plot twists were manipulative. I wasn't impressed by Tom. By the time "Minority Report" came out, I guess I can say I was "over-Cruised". Now I'll avoid a movie just because he's in it. Unfair? Sure. Overexposed? Yeah, I think he is.
Do I regret seeing "A Few Good Men"? Yeah, a little. And I may even do something about it. And I might change my mind about Tom. Again.
