Review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) by Brian R — 27 Aug 2018

More like, "Mission: Implausible". Seriously, this is the 6th movie in the franchise, at some point you have to wonder if maybe these missions are actually possible. Unrealistic premises aside, this is actually a really good action movie.

For me, it's still not up to par with 2011's Ghost Protocol, but you can't deny the pure unadulterated entertainment of this movie. The film is a fantastic mix of intrigue and action, and you have to pay attention to keep everything straight, there is a lot going on and the plot points get pretty muddled.

Just trying to keep up with who is on whose side was enough to make my head spin. The nearly constant action sequences serve nicely to distract you from the less than seamless story. The movie is packed with car chases (sponsored by BMW!), foot chases, fights, and incredible stunts (sponsored by Tom Cruise!).

As with Rogue Nation, the players have changed a bit, but as long as Benji (Simon Pegg) is still part of the team, I'm in - he is the heart of these movies, and they wouldn't work without him.

Jeremy Renner's Brandt has been unceremoniously deleted without explanation this go-round (in the same way Paula Patton was omitted without fanfare after Ghost Protocol), but Henry Cavill is a worthy replacement as good/bad guy Walker.

This dude has swag that he has never shown as Superman, and most of the time, I was rooting for him. Now I understand why Cavill refused to shave his mustache for the Justice League reshoots... this is a meatier role in a worthier movie.

The film's weak point is its length - it's too long, and by the time the climactic action sequence rolls around, you're kind of numb to it all. But with every installment, this franchise has been more and more successful at blending the spy thriller with the action movie, which makes these movies rise above the standard "shoot 'em up" popcorn flick to become a truly satisfying movie-going experience.