Mission: Impossible – Fallout is the sixth MI movie starring Tom Cruise since 1996 (the year we were married!). If you’ve never seen the original 1966 TV series, the 1988 reboot, or any of the previous movies, you might need to know how this all works. Mission: Impossible operatives are given a mission and an option to accept it. During each mission, there is at least one sub-mission and a host of diversions, impersonations, trickery, fighting, chasing, escapes and characters. Trying to keep track of who’s who and what’s real or not can be a tad confusing as I recall coming out of the theater in 1996 thinking, “What did I just watch?”
This time, Tom Cruise is joined by Henry Cavill (Superman) in a mission to stop the terrorist group called “the Apostles” (remnants of the previous MI villains, “the Syndicate”) from selling three plutonium cores to rogue factions planning to set them off at key locations in an attempt to reset civilization and bring peace to the planet. At least, that’s how I remember it.
Aaron: I’ve seen all the MI movies, but I have to admit that this one kind of felt like I was starting over. The faces looked familiar, but when they go four years between movies, which are confusing anyway, it’s difficult to remember where they left off. I guess it was good because it forced me to pay attention and try to keep up with the plot(s).
Elaine: I’ve seen all of the Tom Cruise MI movies. At least, I think I have. The plots are so complex, yet somewhat similar, that they tend to blur together. My favorite one by far, and the plot that was the most unique in the franchise, in my opinion, was Mission: Impossible 2, where they had to stop the deadly virus pandemic. I liked Fallout, too – it was definitely entertaining, which is the whole objective of going to the movies, right? There were plenty of high-speed chases, explosions, and near-death escapes to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
A: I actually enjoyed this movie despite some new characters I didn’t really care for and action that seemed to just keep going on. There were a couple of points where adrenaline-fatigue kicked in and I got kind of bored. How can he be on a motorcycle zipping through Italy (I think that’s where they were at this point) and every cop in the city was on duty and ready to be wherever he was going at every turn? Then he can just fall down a hole in the middle of the street into the boat his team had on a river under the city and escape without a sound? It all just seems so imposs… oh, right. That’s the whole point of the movie.
E: It was Paris. Haha. It does seem like they are so overly concerned about topping the last MI movie that adrenaline-fatigue is an excellent way to describe the experience of watching this. It was actually exhausting. Comic relief is called that for a reason, and although there were a few small laughs built in, it was not enough to provide relief from the rush.
Energy-sapping plot twists aside, this film had some delightfully intense chase scenes and impressive stunts, including one that I hear left Cruise with a broken ankle on set. Some of the scenes are breathtaking, the cinematography is superb, the music is fantastic, acting is good, as expected, and there are fun surprises throughout. I audibly gasped many times.
My favorite surprise was probably Rebecca Ferguson, who I have to admit I kept halfway expecting to break out into song at some point! My favorite non-surprise was Henry Cavill. I say non-surprise because I was finally getting to see the movie that caused so much controversy over the poorly-done CGI removal of Cavill’s mustache as he played the role of Superman in some reshoots for Justice League. This was unwittingly a spoiler for me because I knew Cavill’s role in Fallout had to be significant for him to refuse to shave for reshoots of another movie, and therefore I was not at all surprised by, and fully expected, some plot twists that should have been shockers. Oh, well. I was still entertained.
A: It was good to see Cavill kicking butt. He’s definitely built for it. He couldn’t shave his mustache because his contract and director wouldn’t let him. Understandable because that’s not something that grows back over a weekend, and fake ones are too easy to spot.
E: Yea, Cavill had some amazing fight scenes! I was impressed! But, the overall plot (stop the bad guys from using nuclear weapons) felt like that of a typical, old-fashioned spy movie, which disappointed me a little. Perhaps that’s part of the reason the film was filled with one over-the-top scenario after another without reprieve – not necessarily the most effective way to smash the box office, but it’ll do. It is the ninth highest-grossing film in 2018 so far, after all.
However, I loved the overall theme of what makes Ethan Hunt different, why he is the best. I loved it when the former CIA director, new IMF secretary, explained to Hunt in a moment of self-doubt that what makes him the ultimate spy is that he cares for the individual just as much as he cares for the masses.
Hunt is a very likeable spy character. His quiet but unmistakable presence along with his unthinkable ability to escape or outsmart his enemies makes it easy to enjoy the action. Yet, his uncharacteristic-of-a-spy compassion, loyalty, and love for his friends give you a sense of investment in this individual. Since I’m a fan of the seemingly invincible Hunt, I will always return to see yet another Mission: Impossible motion picture.
A: Although I’m not a huge Tom Cruise fan, I do like the Ethan Hunt character and I think Cruise does a great performance. Those qualities are what set him apart from James Bond, who kills first, makes love, and then asks questions. In that order (laughs internally). Kind of get tired of Bond just being a Hulk to his environment (including the people) to obtain his target. Ethan is more concerned with people. He diverts major plans in order to spare innocent police and civilians. He’s a good “good guy.”
E: So, there you have it. That’s our movie review for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, should you choose to accept it. This review will self-destruct in five seconds.
