Mission: Impossible – Fallout Film Review: The Best Action Movie In A Decade
Content Editor, Film Critic and Writer for ComiConverse.com, the Founder and co-host of the official Nerdcast Network Podcast
Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Fallout
When an IMF mission ends badly and Solomon Lane escapes custody, the world is faced with dire consequences. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill his original briefing, the CIA begins to question his loyalty and his motives. Hunt finds himself in a race against time, hunted by assassins and former allies while trying to prevent a global catastrophe.
Who would have thought an old American 1960's TV programme, could have spawned a billion dollar franchise? Nobody knew. Mission: Impossible (1996) blew everyone away with excellent uses of special effects and impressive set piece moments, despite having a convoluted plot that had zero personality. It was a product of the times, allowing audiences to shut their minds off for several hours to enjoy dumb action scenes.
However, it was the sequels that took risks, some good and evil with Mission: Impossible III (2006) being among greats with a beautiful focus on the story instead of unnecessary explosions. The film garnered a modest $397.8 million at the box office, but due to scheduling conflicts, it took several years to return Tom Cruise in his true glory.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) reinvented the series, with quick looks at terrorism and society's lust for high-tech gadgets. Ghost Protocol brought back a sense of excitement with gripping but stylish set pieces, with director Brad Bird bringing a classic movie franchise back from the brink of death. Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt) delivered more crazy stunts, with one, in particular, is set on the newly developed Burj Khalifa building in Dubai. That looked stunning in the IMAX format, pushing technology to its limits and engrossing fans in a wild cinematic moment.
So after the last two impossible (and implausible) missions reinvented a historic franchise, it seems like odds are stacked high for Mission Impossible: Fallout. How do you succeed in following up Tom Cruise hanging of an aeroplane? The answer is taking risks, exploring failure, and questioning Ethan Hunt’s loyalty. Mission: Impossible - Fallout is a unique instalment, which doesn’t focus on the insane stunts but the entire idea of the IMF. Director Christopher McQuarrie (Rogue Nation) perfects his formula, giving us groundbreaking action scenes and impressive storytelling. Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible) delivers more of his trademark charisma and works in favour of his great cast members.
The pulse-pounding, tense and dark tone from the trailers have glittered throughout the run-time. Allowing for each stunt to have a thematic impact, changing the story going forward. Mission: Impossible - Fallout is also the most emotionally driven instalment, with Ethan question his friends and career. These changes made for a better filmgoing experience, as McQuarrie (Rogue Nation) answers many franchise problems in the two-hour runtime, questioning the validity of Hunt's IMF roots. Treating audiences with respect in the process, by not relying heavily on action cliches instead pushes boundaries on so many levels.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout is a groundbreaking sequel, with its emotional tone and impressive action standing out in the competition full of grand summer blockbusters. It tells a story about trust and the fallout of unfortunate situations, giving us consequences for these incredible set pieces. Christopher McQuarrie (Rogue Nation) fully understands how to direct action and surprisingly emotional moments, which pushes the franchise of the edge and into the big leagues. Fallout pays homage to classic spy films while looking at more modern approaches to thrillers as inspiration. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Rebbeca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust) deliver the goods, improving the deep on-screen connection seen in the last film.
Written by Christopher McQuarrie (Rogue Nation) is about failures and trust, something which has never been explored in the franchise before. It’s darker tone works in favours, making each set piece have needed weight but doesn’t detract from franchise morales. A change which is required to allow for character progression, as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) learns from his honest mistakes. There are still moments with funny comedic moments. But they do not take a full centre in proceedings.
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is now on the run from IMF operatives after his morals have got in the way of a critical mission. New issues arise when his latest catch, escapes prison and is prized to make the world pay for his actions. But will this fallout be his toughest task yet? These questions are sprinkled throughout the two-hour epic and develops him further. Tom Cruise (Rogue Nation) remains in the driving seat, providing pulse-pounding action and brings his electric charm to the forefront.
August Walker (Henry Cavil) joins proceedings as the antagonist to Ethan Hunt, who is fed up with the IMF agents field theatrics. I adored this character as he works in a right balance of the over-the-top Ethan, seeing his no bullshit attitude was a fresh take on the villainous role. Henry Cavil somehow losses his wooden acting chops, and finally has fun in a position that allows him to use his physical attributes in shocking action scenes. See his role as a surprisingly positive element of Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
Ilsa Faust (Rebbeca Ferguson) returns in as the now iconic IMF agent who surprised many in Mission: Impossible - Fallout, while her role is smaller this time. Christopher McQuarrie still allows Faust (Rebbeca Ferguson) to share some of the best emotional moments with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), I loved these scenes as each character is given severe development. Rebbeca Ferguson delivers another magnificent performance, kicking ass and taking names which work wonders alongside the great Tom Cruise. I’m hoping we see more of this character; perhaps a spin-off is in order? Because I’d be all over that.
Verdict
Mission: Impossible - Fallout is the most shocking, thrilling and unique instalment in the series focusing on character development instead of explosions every second. It's a perfect action movie with tons of emotional pull and genre-defining set pieces, and Tom Cruise is given another solid instalment. It offers a brilliant conclusion to one of the best trilogies of recent memory; there is something for everyone including creative action and impressive tonal beats.
Christopher McQuarrie (Rogue Nation) delivers on each element, improving upon the series downfalls and perfecting them from audiences. Allowing for more emotional moments which aid the insane action scenes and give added weight to proceedings.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout hits theatres worldwide on July 25th