Mission: Impossible - Fallout Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Here it is - the movie that caused much controversy over a moustache, the sixth instalment in an ongoing action franchise. The question is… is it any good?

Genre: Action / Adventure / Thriller

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Cast: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Angela Bassett, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Vanessa Kirby & Michelle Monaghan.

Run Time: 147 min.

US Release: 27 July 2018

UK Release: 25 July 2018

German Release: 02 August 2018

And here we go again… If you read my previous reviews for all the foregoing M:I flicks, you’d know by now that I am a huge fan of the franchise, ever since watching the first part and reruns of the series as a young boy. That said, five sequels are a lot; as such, I went into the cinema a little worried. After such a long time, after so many parts, the franchise would surely start to wear off, right? Wrong! Mission: Impossible has never been stronger, with great performances, breathtaking stunts and a story that couldn’t be any more tense.

Ethan Hunt’s new mission, should he choose to accept it, is to stop a fanatic group of terrorists from obtaining three plutonium cores. Time is running out, as three cities are in danger of a simultaneous attack. Can Hunt stop them in time?

While the other chapters acknowledged the previous operations in some way, each sequel was a standalone adventure. Ghost Protocol was the first to directly mention aspects of its predecessor, while Rogue Nation was all about the assignment that Hunt mentions at the end of the 4th film. Still, each of these could be enjoyed by itself, without the need to watch the others. This is where Fallout breaks with tradition, as it is a direct sequel to M:I-5, as well as partially to the fourth plus third movies. 

This ain’t a bad thing, though, as it feels like a culmination of Hunt’s past assignments. The stakes have never been this high, feeling in parts highly personal, while the cat-and-mouse game is as tense as it has ever been. This is top-notch writing by McQuarrie himself, who also wrote the script to this high-octane action spectacle. Contrary to Mad Max: Fury Road, this is an action blockbuster with a tightly knit plot that demands constant attention, since there are quite a few clever twists plus turns, similar to the first one. 

Though over two hours long, it captures the audience's attention with ease, by making every scene, every dialogue feel meaningful. As such, one hundred and forty-seven minutes pass by like nothing. Tense moments are broken up by quieter mysteries, though these still segments don’t allow for relaxation, as danger is constantly looming in the shadows. 

This would be an absolute masterpiece of an action piece if it weren’t cannibalising parts of its predecessor’s screenplays, just like recycling plots from other franchises that we all saw before. However, that is its only fault, as it repackages it in a fresh tapestry. 

The dialogue is meticulous, carrying a weight to the overall arc, plus humour that breaks the rigidity of the story. Conversations not only forward the narrative, they include enigmas that demand that audiences use their wits to solve them.

Tom Cruise is, as always, fantastic as Ethan Hunt. He puts so much physicality in his character, by doing his own stunts… it is truly crazy what he puts on display in front of the camera. It isn’t just his crazy stunts that hook viewers; Cruise has a charm when playing this particular agent, plus his chemistry with his co-stars is indisputable. He becomes Hunt in all senses, radiating a feeling of enjoyment as he embodies him. 

Ving Rhames, as well as Simon Pegg, return as Luther Stickell and Benji Dunn, respectively. Both give impeccable, nuanced comedic vibes, playing off each other, while also maintaining a natural, friendly atmosphere with Cruise’s Hunt. By now, these two actors are as much of a staple of the franchise as its lead.

Henry Cavill replaces Jeremy Renner in an undisclosed role, giving his character an unhinged, threatening feel. He is the mirror image of Hunt, bringing in a solid rival chemistry, which makes coworking between the two characters quite difficult. A fantastic performance by the British actor, which I won’t go into further detail as not to reveal too much.  

Rebecca Ferguson also makes a return as Ilsa Faust. Not only does she kick butt again, but by now she is a realistic, romantic counterpart to Ethan Hunt. A strong female persona that can keep up with its male counterparts, if not outshine them at times in wits plus badassery.

From a technical perspective, M:I-6 is flawless, setting new highs for camera executions in the action genre. Rob Hardy, who was the DP for Fallout, captured the grandness of the screenplay's globe-trotting scenery perfectly on film. Showcasing beautiful panoramic shots, mixed with visceral, energetic action, every frame has been planned to perfection. The camera makes use of smooth tracking shots, aerial shots, just like handheld camera sequence, though most impressive is the kinetic energy behind every action segment. 

The colour palette is more restrained, using more sterile colours, underlining the more down-to-earth vibe that contrasts with other parts of this franchise. The stunts are once again sweat-inducing. Tom Cruise’s commitment to doing his stunts gives the whole premise a more grounded, realistic touch. CGI is only used to enhance the magnificent practical effects.

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Verdict: Christopher McQuarrie is the first director to film two Mission: Impossible flicks, knocking it out of the park once again. Not only did he direct a fabulous action-spy flick, he outdid himself, in my opinion, enticing viewers with the best part of the series. The screenplay is fantastic, containing the minor flaw of recycling something most have already seen in a previous or different movie. Yet, it feels fresh enough to hook one instantly. Cruise and Co. are once again fantastic. The stunts are out of this world, and the cinematography is gorgeous to look at. I can’t believe I am saying this, however, Fallout is my favourite entry of this spy franchise, replacing 2015’s Rogue Nation. It seems that this series is defying the basic law of sequels; Instead of becoming worse, they are getting better! With ultimate minor flaws in screenplay and music, Mission: Impossible - Fallout deserves a solid 9.5 out of 10! 

Honestly, this is worth checking out in theatres, so don’t miss it! If you have already seen it, let me know what you thought in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!