MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT (2018)
7/29/18 - Mission Impossible - Fallout (2018) - 6-/10
I feel that this franchise has become stale and predictable, but I can’t fault it for consistently providing a level of slick dumb fun. It has grown into its own formula that almost always has a plethora of issues that make me roll my eyes. That said, it rarely derails or devolves into the substandard or stinks of garbage. Fun set pieces and action spectacle with a movie star that is always working hard. I don’t need more, but this popcorn is light and solid enough.
Ok. Things that I didn’t like about this Impossible Mission… There was way too much exposition throughout this films duration. Always explaining more and more, who these people are, what they do, have done, will do, etc, etc. This, paired with the double-crosses within double-crosses, and the twists and turns that just kept pushing me passed the point of believability and clarity. It never felt taught or even sensible.
The world may be at stake, but I still didn’t feel any emotional resonance within this plot or the chracters’ interactions. I couldn’t remember all the plot points of previous films so I felt like was missing some key puzzle pieces to make everything click, but they did try to attach some feeling tied to the franchise’s history. It didn’t work for me because there wasn’t a moment I actually feared for any of the people on screen.
It was also way too long. Probably a good half hour too long, which, for me, harped on the need for Ethan Hunt to meet the reaper. His death should have come many other times in this series of films, as it should have this go round, but it was less intensive than before. Still, the old boy has gotta eat it soon. He is so overdue. Enough.
All of that said, it was mostly harmless fun. The action, though often predictable, was well staged and well shot. Cavil, though somewhat wooden, was enjoyable and brought some life to the frenemy role. Rebecca Ferguson keeps doing a great job, when given the opportunity. This series of films is about those larger-than-life action extravaganzas and you always remember those moments. Tom risks it and rewards us.
I am tired of these films overall, but I can’t say that I didn’t have a decently good time. It has its shortcomings and franchise fatigue, but it doesn’t stop it from working as the big budget blockbuster that delivers, whether we ask for it or not.
My Mission Impossible Rankings:
MI3 - 7
Mission Impossible - 6+
MI Fallout - 6-
MI Ghost Protocol - 6-
MI Rogue Nation - 5
MI2 - 4
* Side note: I HATED the opening title sequence, as they preview scenes that will be happening over the next 2.5 hours. Dumb! I don’t need a trailer for the movie I am going to watch IN THE MOVIE I’M GOING TO WATCH!*