Review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) by Paige B — 03 Nov 2018

Incredible movie! It was one of those few that I wound up chasing all over the state of California, as it left one theater but remained at another, because I wanted to catch every movie showing of it that I could.

I had watched the Rogue Nation one, in theaters, over and over again, and this time, my sister joined me for Fallout, trying to catch multiple screenings, on the big screen. As exciting and thrilling as every action sequence was, as mysterious and surprising as every plot twist or double-crossing was, what I appreciated the most about this movie was how much was subtly communicated by a mere raising of an eyebrow, or barely a wink.

Slight changes in facial expressions told so much. Perhaps it's just me, but when Sloane describes Walker as "a hammer", I wondered if he got his high position, within the CIA, through some kind of sexual act.

But that's probably just my dirty mind, there. It took me a few viewings to catch every subtle non-spoken gesture, but when I finally did, the movie became even more entertaining; when the IMF are detaining both Walker and Solomon Lane in cuffs, and then Walker nods, just slightly, towards Solomon Lane, Walker is reassuring Lane that he has completely infiltrated the CIA, so nothing Sloane has ordered will be carried through successfully.

When Benji and Luther are glaring; angry at Walker, while cramped into the backseat of the tiny car, it is because it is dawning on them that Walker only secured a car big enough for 4 men, not 5, because he expected Ethan Hunt would've been captured and arrested by that time; framed as John Lark.

Then my favorite: Ethan asks Julia if her husband, Eric, knows who he is, and Julia quickly shakes her head "no", but as Ethan and Eric talk to each-other, it becomes clear that Eric DOES know who Ethan is, that Eric HAS heard of Ethan.

Julia only denied that because she is trying to protect Eric from the same danger that she and Ethan have constantly found themselves in, because of who Ethan is. At the end, when Ethan is in a hospital tent, and Eric advises Ethan not to move, and he tells him that Sloane had arrived "right in front of half the Indian army", he adds: "See you later, Doc," and he winks at Ethan.

It's so quick, don't blink or you'll miss it. Eric is making it clear: by that time, he has figured out who Ethan is. In a few of the earlier scenes, Eric seems a little bit uncomfortable or he has a very concerned expression on his face, but his concern is that Ethan's presence signals danger to himself and his wife.

He knows that enemies of Ethan have tried to harm Julia before. No matter what draws you to this movie, whether it's the very dangerous action scenes, the death-defying stunts, the love story, the mystery and suspense, it totally satisfies on all levels.

I also truly appreciate the messages regarding morality and empathy. As always, Ethan Hunt is a fearless, boundless gentleman; a total class act.