Mission: Impossible-Fallout
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Cavill
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Rated: PG-13
Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to read this review then make your way to the theater to see Mission: Impossible-Fallout. If you fail to carry out your mission, you will miss out on the best action movie of the year. Not to mention, some of the best storytelling in an action franchise. This message will continue below in 5 seconds:
Mission: Impossible-Fallout is not a standalone film that you can walk into without backstory. You need to know what took place in the previous films to appreciate what is happening here. I wouldn't say you need to go back and watch all of the movies, but you need to at least seeRogue Nation since the Fallout picks up right where it left off. With that being said, it's very impressive that director Christopher McQuarrie has interwoven elements from Mission: Impossible 3, Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation and placed them into the plot of Fallout to make an exciting, character driven story. The stakes have never been higher for Ethan Hunt. For fans of the franchise, it feels as if all of the films have been leading to this moment.
We all know one of the biggest draws of these films are the action sequences. Let me tell you, they get more impressive with each passing installment. Not one action sequence is wasted throughout the movie. Every moment keeps you on the edge of your seat with brilliant tension. These action sequences left my heart pounding. Tom Cruise is known for doing his own stunts and there are moments when that seems almost impossible to believe. Motorcycle hunt? Check. Plane dive? Yep. High speed helicopter chase? Of course! These moments give the film an added kick of adrenaline to know Tom Cruise is the one out there doing the stunts.
The action may be the main draw, but we can't forget about the team! Fallout boasts a great ensemble cast. Tom Cruise leads the pack as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. This time around, Hunt is haunted by Solomon Lane, the depraved leader of the Syndicate. Hunt struggles in a no-win scenario in order to save the lives of millions. How can he overcome the impossible mission? You'll have to see the movie to find out. Cruise gives a fantastic performance here. Between his dedication to the stunts and impressive dramatic performance, I'd argue he's doing a much better job than Daniel Craig as James Bond right now.
Rebecca Ferguson returns as Ilsa Faust, a British agent. We never know if she's trustworthy and that's what makes her storyline so interesting. Ferguson does a great job playing the character, creating an intriguing dynamic between Ethan Hunt and Ilsa Faust.
Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg play Luther and Benji, members of Ethan's IMF team. They're integral members of the mission and are always prepared to help Ethan when he needs it. It's nice to see Ving Rhames used more in this film. He was more of a side character in Rogue Nation, but he has a lot more major scenes in Fallout.
Henry Cavill is a new member of the cast as Agent Walker, a CIA Assassin who is sent to monitor Ethan's team. Cavill casts a looming presence as the very stubborn Walker. His constant monitoring is a thorn in the ever independent Ethan Hunt's side.
This film creates moments of tension like no other. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how I could feel so tense in a movie theater. That tension is used cleverly though. After certain moments where you feel like you just can't handle anymore, a twist is revealed that changes the audience perspective on the whole situation. (I would give examples, but I don't want to spoil!)
Fallout is a fantastic addition to the Mission: Impossible series that builds on previous chapters brilliantly. Its heart pounding action, clever twists, and intriguing character development make it one of the best films of the year.
My Rating: 10/10