When in doubt, Tom Cruise will save us all.
If there's one thing the past five Mission: Impossible films and the latest one, Mission: Impossible-Fallout, promise, it's that where there's danger, there's Cruise.
Cruise's Ethan Hunt gives the ridiculous and outrageous a much-needed depth, because without it, we'd be watching a guilty pleasure summer blend. Yes, the Mission: Impossible films are what the Fast and Furious films would be like with a brain attached.
Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie gives these films something extra, and the last sequel-2015's Rogue Nation-was the most complete Mission film yet. There were high speed chases, deadly femme fatales (Rebecca Ferguson!), and a satisfying conclusion. It had Hunt's IMF team going up against the Syndicate, a terrorist organization led by Solomon Lane (Sean Harris). While Hunt got his man in the end, Fallout picks up not long after the last film, with Lane in custody, but not quite finished with his plan. For the first time in this series, two films are attached by one single plot, with new threads added. McQuarrie wisely continues his story here, mixing in a few sinister players.
When Hunt allows a plutonium shipment to fall into the wrong hands and Lane breaks out of capture, CIA Chief Sloan (Angela Bassett) assigns a mysterious agent (Henry Cavill, mustache intact) to keep an eye on Hunt's team as they attempt to cover up their mistakes.
Now, it wouldn't be a Mission film without various double-crosses that are attached to other betrayals and twists, so please understand that if you don't trust Cavill's August Walker the minute you lay eyes on him, it's for a good reason. He's bad news for Hunt, and a two hour staredown between the two actors kicks off rather quick.
Ferguson's MI6 agent is back in the mix, playing both sides for her own gain. Vanessa Kirby's "broker" is lined up to possibly help Ethan find the explosive devices, but you won't know what angle she's playing. Alec Baldwin is back as Hunt's boss, and gets more to do here than he did last time. You will get to see a Baldwin brother get into a fight and do rather well. Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames add comic relief and unexpected gravitas as Hunt's most trusted teammates.
Just remember this: the one person in the film you can trust is Cruise. As a moviegoer, that is the same idea. The 56-year-old renegade performer does all his own stunts once again, and that includes jumping off buildings, being thrown from motorcycles, all the hand-to-hand fight scenes, and a raucously entertaining helicopter chase that caps the finale of the film.
Cruise is the quintessential action star who doesn't take for granted the fact that his name is on the poster. He doesn't let any stunt performer steal his thunder, or have all the fun. There's a certain delight and trust factor in knowing that Cruise sacrifices limb and soul for his movies. One of the jumps broke his ankle-halting production for two months-and it was left in the film. That's a true commitment to your fans.
There are a couple other things that make these films so well-done and precise. First, it's the understated humor in the adventures. When Hunt is running off to do something remarkably impossible, the rest of the crew cringe and say something that resembles a David versus Goliath joke. Cruise also gets in on the action, whether it's hesitating to jump off a building or figuring out how to fly a helicopter on the fly. A fight scene in a bathroom is lighter than the usual knockdown drag out brawl. "I'll figure it out," becomes Hunt's rally cry, and the subtle effect of the line is never without a laugh.
Secondly, McQuarrie's script adds a depth to the over-the-top action sequences. Hunt's career is bound by putting the life of one over the lives of millions, and there's a cost to those decisions. A lot of what he deals with in this film comes from past decisions coming back to haunt him, something that Harris' anarchist and Cavill's secretive assassin enlighten him on constantly.
Having a good adversary always helps a hero tale. Cavill is one of those actors that some directors don't know how to use, but McQuarrie puts the Brit's charm and presence to perfect use here. We know Walker is a storm cloud, but that doesn't mean he can't serve a number of purposes over the course of the 155 minute film. You need someone that can hold his/her own with Cruise in physical moments and in verbal showdowns. Cavill is impressive here, making you wish he turned heel more often.
There's something sexy and unknown about Ferguson in these films. While you know there's a line she won't cross, there's a deceptiveness to her behavior that keeps you guessing. The actress helps that indecision with a performance that makes you want her Ilsa Faust to stick around.
While the cast is strong, it's Cruise's film once again. I'll say it again: the man is a marvel. He doesn't need superhero tights or a space ship. Just good knees, loose oversight, and a willing team. Yes, Cruise runs and runs some more here. He is simply marvelous.
However, the true MVP of this film is the stunt team. They create high-risk yet wildly entertaining sequences that fulfill the action lover's mind. The entire film is essentially one long chase, and the stunt crew treats that like a kid walking down a street on Halloween with an empty basket. It is the type of work that makes you wish the Academy would recognize great stunt work.
Fallout is the sixth film in a series that isn't losing any steam. Cruise and McQuarrie have worked together on seven films now, and the two creators have a great rapport. There's definitely more story to play with when it comes to the IMF team. It's a spy series after all.
Here's the real reason these films have endless legs: they are cleverly crafted action thrillers. There are crazy stunts and action moments, but the great acting and depth of the scripts never let the outrageous overwhelm the viewer. There's reasons for the madness, and it keeps the engine in this Paramount car humming. It's the reason the studio can tell Warner Brothers no when asked to borrow Cavill for reshoots. 22 years and six hugely successful films gives them the confidence to do so. This movie is a a near flawless delight that makes 155 minutes seem like it's not enough time. Few movies can do that.
Mission: Impossible-Fallout is the action thriller we need, but probably don't deserve.
