Review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) by Ted N — 26 Jul 2018

Mission: Impossible is a franchise that, much like its protagonist Ethan Hunt, just doesn't quit. While the first three entries in the film series ranged from "alright" to "pretty meh," the most recent three films have set new high bars for action films and have exhibited some of the most impressive stunts ever done for a movie. Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation are two of my favorite films and have showcased Tom Cruise at his best and most daring. Fallout continues this trend. You would think that a franchise that is six films in would have started to slow down, but Mission: Impossible has impossibly kept the momentum and excitement with its most recent entry.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout features the same actors and characters that have become familiar to fans of the series. Tom Cruise is of course back as Ethan Hunt, the skilled and seasoned agent of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) who has prevented world-changing disasters more times than he probably ever wanted to. Cruise is somehow still at the top of his game in Fallout, and it's hard not to respect the man for the dedication he gives to his craft. As per usual, the insane stunts that you see Hunt perform in the film are done by Cruise himself, and this is something that continues to bolster the film's already-incredible action. Shots of Cruise piloting a helicopter through mountains, jumping from a C17, or leaping across buildings look completely real because they ARE completely real. Even though he's getting old (56 years old as of July 2018), I hope he continues to do what he does for just a few more years.

Cruise is joined by many of the franchise's recurring favorite characters. Ving Rhames returns as Luther Stickell, who is finally given more to do in the film and serves as a permanent member of the IMF team of agents rather than as a brief cameo or supporting role. Simon Pegg is back as Benji Dunn, another IMF agent, and Pegg does an excellent job again even though the writing dials back the character's humor this time around. Rebecca Ferguson continues her role as Ilsa Faust, an MI6 agent and love interest (?) of Hunt's, and she delivers another convincing performance. Henry Cavill joins the cast of Fallout as well, portraying a tough and burly CIA assassin who is tasked by the CIA's director (Angela Bassett) to supervise the IMF team. Every performance in Mission: Impossible - Fallout is superb, and no one (except for Cruise) really outshines the others. This is especially important when considering the team dynamic in the film, something that Ghost Protocol in particular nailed on the head. Everyone on the IMF team feels as capable as the rest, and each contributes their own unique skills and personality that make them compelling and worthy additions to the team.

Now let's get into the meat of the film: the action. The Mission: Impossible franchise has always been about the high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting action. This is something that Fallout doubles down on, and I can confidently say that it features the best action of the franchise. I'll even venture to say that it features some of the best action of all time. Its hand-to-hand combat sequences are brutal: the edits and camera angles bring out the force of every punch, kick, jab, and block, and the fight choreography is directed beautifully. Vehicular chase scenes are filmed in a way that you never lose track of where characters are in relation to each other and the landscape feels familiar and easy to follow. Gunfights are intense and made powerful by the sound editing and cuts. The action is simply marvelous to behold and assembled masterfully by a director, Christopher McQuarrie, who proves that he has harnessed his craft. These scenes, which are memorable to say the least, have been replaying in my head over and over since I walked out of the theater, giving me the urge to watch the film again.

Aside from the film's stellar action, the other aspects of Mission: Impossible - Fallout are great as well. The writing is superb. It fills the plot with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat (and probably confuse you a bit). It adds development to characters in ways that you wouldn't expect from an action film. It also makes the most ridiculous things seem plausible and believable in the film's context, something I cannot elaborate on without spoiling things. The acting, as I already mentioned, is top-notch, and the entire cast contributes greatly to the movie. The cinematography is excellent as well: beautiful wide shots of cities, mountains, and landscapes are present throughout, and the camerawork during the film's most gut-wrenching moments enhances the intensity and emotion.

Can I name any flaws with Mission: Impossible - Fallout? I have one, single flaw that comprises a single second of the film. There is a single shot of computer-generated rocks tumbling over the edge of a cliff, and this shot looked really bad, like something out of a 1980s video game.

That's it. The only real flaw with Mission: Impossible - Fallout is a second-long, unfinished CGI shot. You could argue that the film's twists and turns that I mentioned could be too much or be too confusing, but that is purely a preferential issue with the film and one that did not affect me. One could also point out the clichéd last-second resolutions that happen a few times and the deus ex machina that is scattered throughout, but I honestly thought these were handled so well in the script that they were not a problem at all.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout is the rare action film that is smartly written, beautifully directed, well-acted, memorable, and an absolute joy to watch. This is the first film I have seen all summer that I've loved and had no significant issues with. Without a doubt it is the best film in the franchise and one of the best action films I have ever seen, and I have every intention of seeing it again, buying it on Blu-Ray, and convincing as many people as possible to see it. This is a franchise that I hope continues to pump out excellent films as long as Tom Cruise is willing to work on them. Rest assured that you will find me in line to see it on its opening night whenever it is released. Mission: Impossible - Fallout gets 5 out of 5 stars.