There is something about Tom Cruise that has the “wow factor” written all over him. Is it his insane stunts, or could it be his charming looks? Almost there. How about his talent to go above and beyond every actor and defy the expectations of filmmaking? I think the answer would be a mixture of all the above—and the wow factor doesn’t stop there.
In the sixth film in the franchise, there is no slowing down Cruise with the latest installment, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” Director Christopher McQuarrie (“Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation”) takes everything that made the originals tick—amazing stunts, great action, heart pounding fight scenes and a whole lot of twists—building on them with a new style that is funny, fresh and stands as one of the best action films of all time.
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” follows IMF Agent Ethan Hunt and his gang of operatives, played by Simon Pegg (“Star Trek”), Rebecca Ferguson (“The White Queen“) and Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”), as they race against the clock to stop a nuclear fallout from wiping the Vatican, Jerusalem, Mecca and Saudi Arabia from the face of the planet.
Now without spoiling too much, there is a scene in the movie where we see a completely different side of Ethan Hunt—when he tries to get his hands on the parts to the nuclear bombs. Ethan Hunt is seen as relentless, impulsive, violent and absurdly maniacal, which adds to the almost dark and unsettling tone of the film.
That is the trick of the film: “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” has so many different genre defying aspects to it. Take what you love about action films and triple that, add on one of the best car chases that has non-stop action, as well as an amazing cast, with a villain that makes “Skyfall’s” (Javier Bardem) look like a joke; now you have the equation to the impossible.
One cannot review “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” without mentioning its unique and amazing camera work and editing. It reminds one of “Mad Max: Fury Road,” with everything so nicely split and greatly combined. Right when you think the action is over, the dust is clear and settled, intense and perfectly timed cuts make for scenes that continue with the over-the-top and suspenseful action, always keeping the high-octane rhythm and movement up. If that isn’t enough for you, add truly scenic establishing shots of the cold mountains in India and an astonishing shot of the characters in Trocadero overlooking the Eiffel Tower.
Seeing “Mission Impossible – Fallout” in IMAX has a ton of perks. Besides the gigantic screen and the booming Dolby Atmos sound, the picture is incredible. You feel as if you are a part of the film, as the streets of Paris whiz by you as Ethan Hunt roars down the narrow and winding streets while cars crash and swerve from left to right. What’s so amazing about “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is its ability to bring the viewer into the film, which is unlike any action movie before it. Every moment on screen is crafted with an incredible, mind-boggling stunt aided by a stellar soundtrack done by Lorne Balfe (“Churchill”).
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is by far the best film of the Mission: Impossible franchise and a true summer blockbuster. Tom Cruise adds every last once of blood and sweat he can muster to deliver one of his best performances of all time. The screenplay is handcrafted to work in every moment of the film, with nonstop visceral action, great cinematography and profound editing work. Couple that with a riveting cast and tons of twists and turns that will floor movie goers and you have the recipe for one of the best action films around.
Though at first some moviegoers may be held back by the two hours and 27 minute running time, there is not a dull moment in the movie, which is a huge accomplishment alone. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is a triumph of every action film before it, one that not only reinvents the franchise, but reinvents the wheel for all future blockbuster films. This is one mission that needs to be accepted.
