Review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) by Jill O — 03 Aug 2018

It is staggering to see that these Mission: Impossible flicks actually seem to keep getting better. On the surface, this sixth entry in its high-octane, fast-paced, yet patiently-conceived, thrill-fest of a franchise is a rocket launcher with enough firepower to skyrocket any action junkie into divine explosive sensations of adrenalized intoxication.

However, this astronomical energy is further complimented by a rich dosage of both character value and transparency. This movie manages, in an admirable fashion, to project the weight of the struggles, emotions, decisions, and consequences of its characters in a manner that feels genuinely substantial and even palpable to the audience -- a very rare feat to such extent in an action blockbuster.

Here, the filmmakers want these characters to be understood as people instead of just being applauded for looking cool, and the distinct effectiveness of these efforts is solidified through three main aspects: 1) the ultimate threat against humanity in the film, the sheer scope of destruction and terror infused in it, is heavily based in reality to where the uprising of a similar danger in our modern society is entirely believable; 2) the characters are individually and cohesively motivated to save people simply for the sakes of humanity and their loved ones rather than be coerced by a stereotypical call-to-arms scenario (revenge, rescuing the damsel in distress, etc.

); and 3) the movie quickly and clearly establishes that failure is a definite possibility, presenting a whole new, fully-loaded tension tablet for the audience to swallow. In short, the movie honorably convinces its audience that there are deeper reasons to care for these characters and the outcomes of their missions.

.....which is more than can be said for most movies of a similar caliber. Movies like this are noteworthy and prove that action blockbusters can be much more than fluffy, explosive, popcorn, summer money-makers.