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Mission: Impossible-Fallout
(Paramount Pictures/Skydance/Bad Robot)
By Lucas Allen
Since mega-filmmaker J.J. Abrams first took over the series as co-producer after directing the third movie in 2006, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise (based on the classic 1966-73 TV series) has grown into a bigger and better action franchise than ever before.
More action, more intrigue, and more of Tom Cruise endangering himself for our amusement; it’s a testament of how great entertainment can be measured. For the first time, writer/director Christopher McQuarrie follows up his previous effort “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” by aiming higher than what the other directors could achieve. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” puts you in the driver’s seat for an exciting two and a half hour thrill ride.
In Berlin, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his teammates Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) are trying to prevent three plutonium orbs from falling into the hands of a terrorist group, The Apostles. But things go awry and the weapons are about to be sold by the group’s broker dubbed the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby).
In hopes of averting the sale from happening, IMF boss Alan Huntley (Alec Baldwin) has to allow Ethan to be joined up by CIA agent August Walker (Henry Cavill) under the supervision of his superior Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett). In Paris, the two agents infiltrate the Widow’s gang with Hunt going undercover as the mysterious buyer.
ut things get more complicated when they have to break out the imprisoned Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) as part of the deal, and rogue MI6 agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) has to kill the ex-Syndicate leader to gain back her agency’s trust. But as always, Ethan and his team have aces up their sleeves using their classic tricks of the trade.
But some sudden twists and turns lead our heroes to Northern India where Ethan has to save both the world and his ex-wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan).
The stakes are certainly higher than before as Cruise and McQuarrie both managed to come up with a more engaging story and more dangerous stunts to excite the summer crowd.
Although it is a bit too long for its own good, nothing about this movie feels slow and uneventful as you’re left exhausted but happy by the end. There’s enough surprise twists to keep the viewer on edge not to mention some deep character moments that show why fans still love watching these movies after two decades of awe-inspiring scenes. Think of the villain’s plot as the extreme version of Thanos’ plot from “Avengers: Infinity War” and you’ll see why this franchise still tops itself with each film.
Obviously, more people will talk about the action scenes than the story itself. The fight scenes between Cruise and Cavill are intense enough, but it’s the high-wired stunts that really stole the show. The motorcycle/car chase in Paris, the foot chase in London that Cruise broke his leg during filming, and the helicopter battle in Kashmir will leave you gasping and screaming very loudly.
Afterwards, you’ll wonder how they will top these exciting moments in the next film. Despite the severe lack of Jeremy Renner, the cast is still in top form incredibly.
or the first time since M:I III, Cruise gives Hunt much more emotional depth finally delivering a much nuanced performance that’ll move even the most cynical viewer. Cavill brings more of his Superman muscle to his character and he can be both charismatic and intimidating amazingly at the same time.
Rhames, Pegg, and Ferguson brought much more effort as teammates, while Baldwin and Bassett have added authority to the story.
Not only the best movie of the summer, but “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” can be seen as one of the highpoints of the action genre alongside “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Baby Driver.” But because of its running time, be sure not to consume too much of your drink size of choice at once. Hopefully another one should be on the way as long as Cruise still runs very fast in his late 50s.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for violence and intense sequences of action, and for brief strong language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.75 Stars (Out of Four)
