Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018 Film) Review
"Mission: Impossible - Fallout," the sixth entry in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, and Simon Pegg as Benjamin Dunn, all characters who've been in the previous installments and are continuing that streak. Rebecca Ferguson, Alec Baldwin, and Sean Harris, actors who joined this franchise in the last entry, "Rogue Nation," return as Ilsa Faust, Alan Henley, and Solomon Lane respectively. "Fallout" brings in new characters as well. Chief among them are Henry Cavill as August Walker and Angela Basset as Erica Sloane.
Normally, this franchise chooses to have a new director with each new entry. However, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote and directed "Rogue Nation," returns to write and direct "Fallout." One can only assume the reason as to why McQuarrie directed another entry, is because "Fallout" serves as somewhat of a direct continuation of "Rogue Nation." Cruise, McQuarrie, Jake Myers, and J. J. Abrams produce this latest "Mission: Impossible" film.
Introduction
In my eyes, "Mission: Impossible" has become the most consistent and reliable spy franchise in Hollywood. For a while, I believed it to be "Bourne," but after the two most recent films in that series, both which regergitated the tropes of the initial trilogy, I switched over to "Mission: Impossible." For those of you asking about the "Bond" franchise, I find that franchise to be inconsistent with the quality of its installments. Yes, the more recent films have carried an over-arching storyline, but the prominence of said story often deviates between entry. As a result, more stylistic elements often outshine things such as story and character.Overall Thoughts
That leaves "Mission: Impossible." In the beginning, it was a franchise that struggled to find its own identity. Since the third film, it's blossomed into a spy franchise that's exciting and different while honoring its roots at the same time. While each individual entry may have storylines and characters that, for the most part, are contained to that single film, director Christopher McQuarrie has found a way to weave in narrative threads from the previous entries, to make a film that may be enjoyable to the casual moviegoer, but one that will truly entertain and wow fans of the franchise. With that fact, I would recommend revisiting the third, fourth, and fifth films in the franchise if you are to see this sixth film.The true strength of "Fallout" comes from it being able to build on the formula used in every "Mission: Impossible" film, creating a story full of intrigue and moral dilemmas. As great as they were, I felt that both the third and fifth "Mission: Impossible" films had one or two uninteresting moments that bogged down the pacing. "Fallout" is more like "Ghost Protocol" where there is never a dull moment. Whether or not a chase scene is taking place, it keeps going, never ceasing to be engaging.
The Cast
Character development isn't something you'd hear anyone say the "Mission: Impossible" franchise excels at per se. When someone talks about this franchise, they bring up the fabulous action, Tom Cruise's dedication in preforming crazy stunts, and the thrill ride that each entry ends up being. Building character is one quality many viewers bring up as one of the things this franchise doesn't do. Not this viewer, though.
"Mission: Impossible - Fallout" is a thrill ride. It does have the tremendous action scenes that you'd expect, as well as Tom Cruise risking his life in the name of making a good product. The important distinction that "Fallout" has from the rest of these films, is that it values having an effective moral dilemma for our hero to face. The moral dilemma being: Can you have a normal life after being in the spy game for so long? This was a concept brought up in "Mission: Impossible III," but one that I never felt reached its full potential. "Fallout" fixes that mistake, taking that concept and making that the intellectual challenge for Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt. When we first meet him, Hunt is attempting to answer that question. Every time he thinks that he can find away to make it happen, he need only think of the consequences that would come from him not doing his part in keeping the world safe. Thus, he feels a tremendous responsibility to do his job, so that people in his social circle can have a somewhat normal life. It leads to a great deal of thought and serves as a great way for Tom Cruise to do something different in this role. Ethan Hunt has always been a charismatic and likable hero, but in "Fallout," he finally becomes an interesting protagonist. He's beaten down a bit, his age is showing, and because he's been in the game so long, he's ready to throw in the towel at any minute. Yet a sense of responsibility keeps pulling him back. Tom Cruise acts to complete perfection and he makes you weep because of his endless woes. Is it time to finally award Cruise his Oscar? He's come close, but I think his acting doesn't get any better here.
Benji, Ilsa, and Luther have little development as characters in this entry. To be fair, I believe that Benji and Ilsa's characters were fully-formed in "Rogue Nation" which means there's no need to develop them any further. Luther continues to do what he has always done in this franchise and even in his sixth appearance, his routine of tossing out humorous one-liners while carrying an emotional center doesn't get stale. Ving Rhames doesn't have the most meaningful part in "Fallout," and I don't have problem with that. The same goes for Alec Baldwin and Angela Basset. They are two talented actors that don't have meaningful roles, yet they still shine and entertain in the time that they have.
Sean Harris continues to be the best villain the "Mission: Impossible" franchise has had. Solomon Lane isn't a physically-opposing individual, but his intellect and conviction for his heinous deeds are all that he needs to be a threatening antagonist. Henry Cavill is the complete opposite. He is a physically-opposing individual and his August Walker ends up beating Ethan up quite grusemely. Though his motivation is a little unclear, he does point out his perspective in one particular scene that you've seen a little bit of in the trailers. While not as interesting as Lane, Cavill's August Walker was an entertaining secondary antagonist. If you think I just I spoiled it for you, the film intentionally lets you know he's the villain through subtle hints and actions.
Action (IMAX)/Score
One of the things that you're likely wanting to see in "Mission: Impossible - Fallout," is to see energetic and brutal action sequences unfold in a glorious IMAX auditorium. In fact. let's start this section by talking about the action sequences with the use of the IMAX format.
Since "Ghost Protocol" started utilizing IMAX cameras to film its action sequences, the series has continued that strategy. Because it made such an impression in that film, it's practically become a requirement to see every "Mission: Impossible" film in the IMAX format. Like Christopher Nolan films, it's become something that you just do, you don't see the film any other way. With "Fallout," while the IMAX scenes are worth the added expense, it's not used as much as I thought it would. The only sequences that were filmed in IMAX cameras, were the HALO jump and the third-act finale with the helicopter chase and following brawl. I know that these particular cameras are hard to carry and operate, but I'm surprised that they didn't use them more, especially with the number of chase scenes and fistfights in the film. I loved those two sequences so much, that I could've used a few more, especially with how engrossing the action sequences were on their own.
Prior to seeing "Fallout," I would've said that "Ghost Protocol" has the best action sequences in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. I remember seeing that film with my Dad and older brother in IMAX, and getting nervous during the Burj Khalifa sequence. Having seen "Fallout," I believe that the title for "Best Action Sequences In A 'Mission: Impossible' Film" is now in question. From the HALO jump, to the helicopter chase, I refused to look away from the screen because the scenes were so involving. Each action scene was better than the last, ultimately ending with the peak of the action set pieces. Christopher McQuarrie already knew how to do action well with "Rogue Nation," but he perfected his craft with "Fallout.
Where it's debatable whether or not "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" has the best action sequences, this film has the best score of the franchise. Some of you readers will remember that in my first entry of Five Best Film Scores, where I talked Michael Giacchino, I called the score for "Mission: Impossible III" the best score in the franchise. Well, "M: I III," you had a good reign, but now another score from your franchise has surpassed you.
Lorne Balfe crafted the best possible score for "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." The well-known theme has been used to great effect, but Balfe, like other composers before him, updates the theme. This time, giving it a darker edge. Where Balfe truly deviates from previous franchise composers like Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, and Michael Giacchino, is how he fills out the rest of score. His score implements the use of snares, percussion, and bongos to create a lively and dramatic score. The combination was music to my ears and the score may be one of my favorites of the year.
Grade: A-
Because of deeper drama for its main protagonist, a breakneck pace, and enthralling action sequences bolstered by Lorne Balfe's score, Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise may have created the best "Mission: Impossible" film with "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." I recommend this film to everyone, "Mission: Impossible" fan or not. If you do, see it in IMAX. There's no better way to watch this film.
Conclusion
I appreciate you taking the time to read my review of "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." Feel free to share your thoughts on my review in the comments below. Also, let me know what film you'd like me to review next. I'm serious, I want to be able to review films that you'd like to read my thoughts on too, so share that in the comments as well. Share this review with your friends and family. Thanks for reading, I'm Dallin, the Film Fanatic, bye-bye.
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