Film Review: Mission Impossible: Fallout Reminds Me Why I Love Movie Theaters
Synopsis: The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.
Last night, I went to a screening of Mission Impossible: Fallout, where I had the pleasure to hear its screenwriter and director, Christopher McQuarrie, discuss making the film. While, usually, the behind the scenes of a film does not impact how I experience a movie, this time it did. When he revealed that Tom Cruise had shattered his ankle and did most of his stunts with it broken, I was left breathless. Mission Impossible: Fallout completely one ups previous films in stunts, but when you know Tom Cruise did them with a fractured body, you almost want to stop the film and shake his hand.
I probably looked like this through much of the film’s crazy, intense stunts.
I kept on saying, in my head, throughout certain scenes: “Be Careful With Your Foot!” When Tom ran across roofs to catch the bad guy, sky-dived at dawn over Paris, or leaped onto a flying helicopter to beat up baddies trying to cause a nuclear Holocaust, I could not stop thinking, “Someone get this man an Oscar and a nap-time!” You are in awe of how much physicality Tom Cruise gives to this film, which consistently feels “on the move.”
There were not too many moments throughout Mission Impossible: Fallout when you get a “break” from action sequences and plot points, but that is what people are paying for when they see the series or a movie in general. Now more than ever, people are selective in what “good” or entertaining films they choose to buy a 20 dollar ticket, and spend 40 bucks on their family in the snack station. Frankly, Mission Impossible: Fallout is worth the special night out. You know a film is good when people start clutching their neighbor’s hand or a woman starts whispering, “Oh My God!” under her breathe. Moreover, if you have the opportunity to see the film in IMAX, TAKE IT! The action sequences engulf you so much that you start to feel anxious: as if you are apart of Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise) team.
Mission Impossible: Fallout brings back some of your faves for laughs: Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, Alec Baldwin as Alan Hunley, and Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn. All work to keep moods slightly light-hearted as we go against Parisian traffic in a motorcycle chase or enter another gut-punching fight. Notice: I said the word “we”. As people clapped and cheered throughout the film, its theme of “teamwork” leapt from the screen. More than ever, Ethan Hunt has accepted that he is a man that cares for his partners and every individual on this earth, of which he is no longer fighting or diminishing his compassion. While the film builds Hunt as “the hero” anyone can back, Henry Cavill steals scenes as August Walker: the CIA Agent that terrifies you.
I was shocked by how good Henry Cavill is at playing a bad guy. While Cruise’s Hunt believes every life matters, Cavill’s Walker is sociopathic in how easy he kills others. Playing a CIA agent, you want to call the agency and question their recruit methods. Yet, that, too, is apart of Mission Impossible: Fallout’s message; can you save the world if you do not love and believe in it? Cavill’s Walker is arrogant, idealistic about his cruelty, and has absolutely no care or loyalty to anyone. His sadistic nature for this role made me forget that he is, technically, Superman. Yet, it was easy to forget everything beyond the screen in front of me because Mission Impossible: Fallout reminds people why they love going to the movie theaters.
Big, loud, visually stunning, and with so many plot twists your jaw will be left by your popcorn, Mission Impossible: Fallout helped me remember why I love theaters. Seeing strangers gasp, laugh, and lean forward in their chair caring about the same person/ character as me, Ethan Hunt, was a subtle testament to the everyday person’s compassion. For 2 hours and 27 minutes, we all cared about saving the world and that Ethan Hunt made it out alive. In a world that feels bombarded by bad news and a general feeling that, perhaps, going numb is the best way to save your heart, Mission Impossible: Fallout pumps it up again and teaches you that as long as you have a good team: you have hope. Mission Impossible: Fallout Comes Out In Theaters July 27.
