Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT Delivers The Most Insane Action Sequences This Year
Villain has a thing that will destroy the humanity. Ethan Hunt must get the thing before the villain uses it. Ethan and villain go on a wild goose around the world, all while Hunt (who has been framed for whatever reason) is trying to clear his name. In the end, Ethan Hunt saves the world, captures the villain, and all is right in the world.
Having described all six Mission: Impossible films, is there a reason to see the sixth Mission: Impossible-Fallout? Yes, if for nothing else the insanity of the stunts. These films are entertaining as hell, but they never cover new ground. There is nothing wrong with repeating the wheel, but as a viewer, it can get boring. How are fans excited to see the same film over and over just with different titles every few years? Seriously, how does Tom Cruise do it?
As a sequel to Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation, Fallout follows The Apostles (formerly known as The Syndicate) led by mystery man John Lark. No one knows who John Lark is, but he has a reputation for being deadly. The Apostles objective is to acquire plutonium for nuclear bombs. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) tries to intercept a sale of the plutonium by manages to screw it up, and Apostles capture the plutonium cores. Determined to get the cores back in safe hands the CIA agrees but only if he takes August Walker (Henry Cavill) with him. With the plutonium exchanging hands across the globe, Ethan must track down the dangerous element while avoiding Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and saving the world, again.
Tom Cruise's career trajectory is fascinating. He's devoted to every role he chooses, but the decision to ditch the Oscar bait for action cinema has reaped enormous benefits for his fans, and for his pockets. His ability to master every stunt is what keeps the Mission Impossible franchise in business. Cruise never ceases to impress with his level of dedication and authenticity of all his action roles by doing without assistance. With each film, he aims to outdo himself--so where does it go from here? It's exciting to think about how wild things could get in the next installment.
One of the best additions to the franchise is Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust. The character is treated as an equal to Ethan Hunt and nothing less. Dance training comes in handy for the actress as she's able to execute expertly choreographed fight scenes without the help of stunt doubles or ugly special effects. In fact, Ferguson is so good in Rogue Nation that she manages to upstage Cruise. Is this the reason her role and level of action felt reduced in Fallout? Or is my mind playing tricks on me? We need more Ilsa Faust, not less!
With all the good things going for it, some things are unforgivable. It's trippy how these movies take themselves seriously yet get away with the dullest tropes because the script says so. The key to making a film that makes sense is knowing where they stand within the realm of reality. Painting a realistic world that doesn't live up to realistic expectations moves a movie from plausibility to nonsense. Did writers Christopher McQuarrie, and Bruce Geller expect audiences to buy the whole 45 min third act takes place while there are 15 mins left on the doomsday movie clock? It's something viewers should come to expect but why must it be so dang cheesy.
Ghost Protocol is still my favorite, but Mission:Impossible-Fallout is a close second. The memorable moments lie in its non-stop, balls to the wall action sequences that up-the-ante in the genre. If you can accept for the movie what it is, then you'll be happy you paid the price of admission.
