Geek Review – Mission: Impossible – Fallout

At a time where sequels can be seen as tired rehashes of old elements, the Mission: Impossible has rewritten the rules of engagement to constantly top itself, to deliver bigger and better installments that leave audiences clamouring for more.

In this sixth installment in Tom Cruise-led film series based on the classic TV show, the world is at risk of being destroyed by a global crime network. The plan involves using plutonium to create nuclear bombs because the radical group believes that “there cannot be peace without first a great suffering”.

Cue the entry of Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his IMF team to save the day. The ever-reliable Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan and Alec Baldwin, all who at one point or other were present in at least one of the previous movies, are also back for the ride, this time joined by newcomers who serve as a foil, but aren’t necessarily villains, thanks to an opinionated CIA director (Angela Bassett), her shady assassin (Henry Cavill), a fanatical criminal (Sean Harris) and a seductive dealer (Vanessa Kirby).

Christopher McQuarrie returns, the first director to do so for the franchise, to write and direct after 2015’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. Just when you thought the previous entry in the franchise was impressive, wait till you watch this one.

The filmmakers are aware enough to know that there is no need to re-invent the genre by introducing gimmicky ideas. This highly recommended summer blockbuster uses every element that has worked in the past five movies, and puts them together that makes things feel creative and fresh. Considering that the movie runs for almost two and a half hours, it is highly engaging and there is never a dull moment.

Oh, and don’t take a break in the movie by going to the washroom – you might just miss the best bathroom fight scene in the history of movies.

Early in the film, you see Cruise performing an actual high altitude, low opening (HALO) jump from an aircraft. The thrill doesn’t end there. He chases bad guys on a motorcycle through the streets of Paris! He runs (but of course) like there’s no tomorrow on the rooftops of London! He flies a helicopter and hangs on a cliff in Kashmir! We take our hats off to the very hardworking celebrity.

Cavill’s much talked about moustache is also on display here, while he pulls some mean punches and kicks some asses. Pegg and Rhames inject humour into the movie, while the ladies (Ferguson, Kirby, Bassett and Monaghan) are not just pretty vases. Baldwin adds dramatic weight to the story, while Harris is just chilling as a bad guy.

The storyline doesn’t take viewers intelligence for granted. There are enough twists and turns to make you sit up and pay attention. When the villain gets his way, you grunt and hope the good guys take him down soon. When characters double-cross each other, you grind your teeth and aren’t sure who to believe. When the team races against time to defuse the nuclear bomb in the film’s remarkably nail-biting finale, you pray that the world will be in one piece after the credits roll.

Kudos to the production team, especially cinematographer Rob Hary, composer Lorne Balfe and editor Eddie Hamilton for creating an extremely tense but entertaining movie. Not only will your pulses be set racing, you will also care for the characters who are genuinely convicted in their respective causes.

This is simply the best summer blockbuster of 2018.