Review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) by Chris B — 17 Aug 2018

The action sequences in this movie are really good, I admit it. But the actual storytelling is flimsy because it's all cardboard cutouts. Taking a cue from the narrative structure of video games, the movie shifts abruptly from chase scene to chase scene, broken up by short bursts of pure exposition (thank goodness for these committee meetings!).

The characters are one-dimensional caricatures, and the plot is driven by a series of arbitrary situations, predictably explained and then solved by our hero. The situations, twists, and solutions are equally out of the blue and ridiculous.

The reveals in the larger plot are sadly circular and self-referential - it turns out that office politics, petty revenge, and incompetence are the main motivators. I had some hopes for this movie because the trailer seemed to be playing up a lot of stumbles by Ethan Hunt, but that feeling didn't make it into the movie; instead he is a demi-god that can literally do any physical, mental, or skill-based task better than anyone.

..and that's pretty boring. But those action sequences are cool!