Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team’s mission to stop plutonium from falling into the hands of a dangerous party fails. As a result, the world faces the consequences. Ethan and his team contend with assassins, attempting to prevent further collateral damage.

Review:

With Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Tom Cruise continues to find new ways to impress his fans.

Fallout has it all. This could be skydiving from a cargo plane or piloting a helicopter through a narrow valley.

While the previous film, Rogue Nation, had good action sequences, they soon began to falter.

This was due to a lack of plot momentum. Fallout improves upon Rogue Nation in every aspect.

This includes its plot, main antagonists, character development, and action sequences.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout is a film that showcases what action sequences should be.

This ranges from its wide angles to its impactful, seamless choreography.

Each of these qualities is in full force during a fight sequence in the bathroom of a Paris nightclub.

Every strike uses precise angles. This happens as each character pummels each other through bathroom mirrors and walls.

This is also the sequence where Henry Cavill’s August Walker shines.

His methods are more brutal when compared with Ethan Hunt’s methodical approach.

Cavill also has an imposing presence whenever his character is on screen. He makes August Walker almost unstoppable in this sequence.

This scene also includes the infamous reloading of the arms.

Combined with the character’s brute strength, Cavill is a highlight in this film.

Making her first appearance in this franchise is Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis. She's referred to by the underworld as the “White Widow.”

Vanessa brings a mysterious presence to her character. She does this by masking her true allegiances behind her striking features.

She’s a welcome character whose purpose is clearer as the film progresses.

Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is also given more agency this time around. As the film progresses, Ethan finds his limits pushed.

Fallout also reintroduces Rogue Nation’s antagonist, Solomon Lane (Sean Harris).

With Solomon returning, he tests Ethan’s moral compass even further.

What is also appreciated is that Sean Harris has more quality material in this entry. As an example, his character becomes more integral during the film’s conclusion.

Despite having a more meaningful role in this film, some of Lane’s dialogue can harm the film’s pacing.

Aside from this, though, most other scenes involving dialogue are good.

Yet another character linked to Solomon Lane returns. This is in the form of Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust.

As with Solomon Lane, Isla Faust has more agency in Fallout. This shows her conflicted nature in seeking revenge against Lane and her loyalties to Ethan.

Each of these character traits is also well demonstrated through Rebecca’s performance.

Franchise mainstays Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) also return. With it, both actors serve their purpose during the plot to competent levels.

As with Fallout’s visuals, director Christopher McQuarrie offers many highlights throughout.

This entry does not disappoint when capturing the exhilarating action or locations.

Lorne Balfe’s score is another positive aspect of this film. Lorne takes a more grandiose approach with his compositions. This is evident during the film’s opening title sequence.

Conclusion:

Director Christopher McQuarrie has created an action blockbuster that will entertain most fans.

This is evident from McQuarrie’s careful approach to action sequences. With them, he ensures that each one has a distinct style.

Fallout’s action sequences are easy to comprehend and follow. This is due to the wide, precise camera angles.

This precise editing technique also enforces the impact of each strike thrown.

Each of these techniques is in full force during the bathroom action sequence.

As mentioned in the review, this is the scene where Henry Cavill’s August Walker is the standout.

Cavill’s commitment to stunts and his imposing presence are qualities he presents well throughout.

Fallout’s visual style also brings these sequences to the viewer’s forefront. They do this whilst demonstrating this film’s many locales with care.

Lorne Balfe’s operatic score also provides many entertaining moments. These include his use of horns during Fallout’s opening title sequence.

This film also includes several good performances from franchise mainstays.

As an example, Fallout contains one of Cruise’s most committed performances yet.

As a direct continuation, Fallout improves on every aspect of Rogue Nation. This includes its plot direction and action.

It is an action film that provides many exhilarating sequences and is more than recommended for franchise fans.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 7.5/10

Story - 7/10

Action - 8/10

Visuals - 7.5/10

Soundtrack - 7.5/10

Overall score: 7.5 out of 10