The
Mission Impossible franchise is a rare one in which the series continues to strengthen itself in regards to the quality of each film since it's initial start in 1996, while creating new forms of spectacle to entertain moviegoers. The only other series that one can turn to in regards to experiencing this kind of transformation is
The Fast And The Furious series. The first
Mission Impossible film directed by Brian De Palma, worked as being a mystery spy thriller/action movie, which was also boosted by Tom Cruise's mega starpower during the 1990's era.
Mission Impossible ll despite being bigger financially was a large stepdown in quality.
Mission Impossible lll was not only a massive improvement over the second, but managed to be more thrilling than the first film largely due to JJ Abrams impressive directorial debut as well as his previous experience with the hit TV show
Alias. Ghost Protocol and
Rogue Nation continued the upward trend in quality for the
Mission Impossible series boasting clever storylines mixed with crazy stunts, that managed to outdo the ones in the previous films. With
Fallout, the franchise has quite possibly hit it's peak with it's finest installment yet both in terms of storytelling as well as action with Cruise delivering a commanding performance as Ethan Hunt, the reliable Spy that manages to complete the most impossible and difficult missions while always saving the day.
The plot for
Mission Impossible: Fallout focuses on Ethan Hunt and his IMF team combined with familiar allies in the CIA, being assigned to track and crush attempts to use nuclear weapons that made it into the black market. With
Mission Impossible: Fallout, the film proves that the franchise that began in the 1990's is still a huge hit with moviegoers as well as reaffirming Tom Cruise's status as being one of the greatest action stars of all time. What
Fallout does so well is that it takes its storyline and characters, and makes the whole experience feel fresh and exciting again rather than feel tired and worn out. The key to the longevity of the series as evidenced here, is the filmmakers manage to still make each mission a thrilling and exciting one, while creating new obstacles for Ethan Hunt and his team to overcome. Like the other previous installments in the
Mission Impossible franchise,
Fallout carries many of those films themes over such as loyalty, dedication, doing the right thing, death of loved ones, protecting civilization, the threat of nuclear weapons, terrorism, betrayal, guilt, anarchy, revenge, and relationships. The message of
Fallout that resonates with the entire
Mission Impossible franchise as a whole, says that one should think of the greater good, a reasoning that defines the character of Ethan Hunt. Written and Directed by
The Usual Suspects screenwriter and
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation helmer, Christopher McQuarrie manages to create a sixth installment in the popular franchise that's fast, sleek, fun, and lives up to expectations of surpassing the previous installment with even crazier set pieces and a storyline that's both exciting and keeps the audience guessing on the stories twists and turns.
As far as the acting performances in the film go, Tom Cruise delivers another excellent performance as Ethan Hunt, further demonstrating that he was born to play the role of Ethan Hunt as well as showing that even in his fifties, he still has what it takes to be an action star who performs the most daring of stunts himself, while possessing great dramatic range in terms of acting. Henry Cavill does an impressive job playing the CIA operative August, whose assigned to work with Ethan on his mission while providing a contrast to Hunts approach of getting things done. Cavill feels right at home with the rest of Hunt's team which includes Simon Pegg delivering a strong and humerous supporting role as well as returning faces such as the always professional Ving Rhames as Ethan's wingman Luther, Alec Baldwin returning again in a likable performance as secretary to the Impossible Missions Force and leading figure in the Central Intelligence Agency, who becomes an ally of Hunt by the end of
Rogue Nation, Rebecca Ferguson also returning from the previous film
as disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust, and Sean Harris returning as Hunts old nemesis who conveniently fits into the plot of this film. The new additions to the cast such as Angela Basset and Henry Cavill, leave strong impressions with the audience as their characters are effective with the actors making them believable and compelling. With the ensemble cast,
Fallout has everyone giving their all while showing them to be having fun as well as excited with the storyline presented.
The stunts in
Mission Impossible are only as amazing as the actors and characters that sell them, and thankfully with
Fallout, director Christopher McQuarrie understands that with his strong writing and directing skills. Having previously worked with Tom Cruise on the
Jack Reacher films, McQuarrie understands Cruise's style as an actor as well as the dedication he delivers to his craft, and writes the character of Ethan Hunt so well in
Fallout. With Ethan, there is a certain detachment to his character, that makes him a tragic figure in a sense that he went through a great deal of loss and sacrifice during his previous missions to ensure that the world is safer while completing his job. Though he happens to succeed everytime, it doesn't come without a price and Cruise conveys that beautifully through his performance adding emotion to the story. One of the movies strongest and best decisions in terms of giving Ethan's character a feeling of vulnerability in this one, is returning to the subplot introduced in
Mission Impossible lll regarding his marriage to his ex-wife Julia (Played by Michelle Monaghan). Monaghan's return to the series with this film is a welcomed addition to the plot as it not only gives Ethan something to fight for in the film, but shows that he never fully recovered from their divorce, and realizes that he can never be happily married so long as he's out saving the world from international terrorists. For the first time since
Mission Impossible lll, Ethan Hunt's human side is explored once again whole bringing some much needed closure to that films arc.
On a technical note,
Mission Impossible: Fallout boasts impressive fight sequences as well as impressive action set-pieces, such as a sky diving sequence in the film along with a solid motorcycle chase, and a climactic helicopter chase sequence that's both exciting and thrilling. The editing of the film gives the movie a brisk pace making it move fairly quick despite its 2.5 hour running time without rushing the story nor shortchanging the character development. As an action film,
Fallout remains consistent while pushing the boundaries of its action scenes almost to the point of absurdity, making the film properly warrant the name "impossible". The films cinematography and sound effects are breathtaking making it some of the strongest works yet in the series. What makes the
Mission Impossible series thrive and improve over the years, is how the series blends the feel of a James Bond flick with an added touch of
Fast And Furious to the mix, such as the team working together to complete a mission which comes with crazy stunts and impossible odds, ultimately become the films main centerpiece. Like those series, the
Mission Impossible franchise has learned to adapt and maintain the audiences interest over the last few decades while managing to feel fresh and retaining its energy.
As far as summer blockbusters go,
Mission Impossible: Fallout is not only one of the best to come out last year, but also shows what the series as a whole is and can be if it maintains its level of quality while continuing to raise the bar.
Fallout carries the whole package of what makes a summer blockbuster great such as good storytelling, solid drama, heroes you care about and want to win, with villains you despise and want to see receive their justice. Add to that the impressive action set-pieces, and one has one of the most well-crafted action thrillers of recent times. The film is brilliantly filmed, extremely well-written, wonderfully acted by it's main cast, and remains consistent with it's action from start to finish, while managing to raise the bar up another notch for the series as a whole. Tom Cruise once again shows audiences that regardless of how they feel about his personal antics off screen, he's still one of the worlds greatest movie stars as well as one of the most talented and dedicated actors to ever grace the big screen (He usually insists on performing many of his own stunts).
Fallout shows that just when one thought the
Mission Impossible series had reached it's peak and couldn't get anymore incredible nor amazing, here comes
Fallout that's top notch with it showing how everything should be done. As for the future of the series as a whole, there is still life left in this franchise to tell more spy stories involving Ethan Hunt performing another crazy stunt, but one also feels that perhaps they should consider wrapping up Hunts story soon, as they don't want to wear out their welcome with the audience. While that is a different type of debate,
Mission Impossible: Fallout remains one of 2018's strongest films while standing as being the franchises finest work yet. For both spy fans and fans of the
Mission Impossible series, this film is a genuine treat and until it's topped by the next film (They currently are planning to shoot
Mission Impossibles 7 and 8 back to back), this is the franchises highest point thus far and the sequel to beat.
Mission Impossible: Fallout is a worthy installment in the popular franchise, while showing there's still much life left in the series to entertain and thrill audiences. One just can't help but wonder how they will find a way to top this film.
Final Verdict: For action fans as well as fans of the series,
Mission Impossible: Fallout is a must see.
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