This Means War (2012)

As you know, I'm not a fan romantic comedies but I like Reese Witherspoon, I have a crush on Chris Pine since I was twelve and Tom Hardy, well, he's hot, so, after putting it off literally for years, I finally gave This Means War a chance. 

The story follows two CIA agents who are also best friends, Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine), as they hit the dating scene after being benched because an international criminal, Karl Heinrich (Til Schweiger) is after them. While the first tries online dating, the latter goes for the old "picking up a lonely woman at video store" approach, and they both meet Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), a product-testing executive with no luck in love. When the two friends find out they are dating the same woman, they begin to compete with one another to win her.

The storyline alone should be enough to keep people away from this but if you are weak like me and watch anything, any sort of crap for actors you like, then you'll find yourself barely entertained by This Means War's predictable and unexciting plot filled with holes, clichés, non-clever twists and a subplot involving a German terrorist —because Germans still are the bad guys, no matter if the story is not set during WWII— that is completely wasted and adds absolutely nothing to the whole thing.

The writers didn't put a lot of thought into the characters either so all the film has to offer is shallow, clichéd characters who, if it wasn't for the actors playing them, wouldn't even be that likeable. Not to mention the number of dumb things the three main characters, especially Tuck and FDR, do throughout the film considering that they are supposed to be smart, brilliant people. It's like watching a group of retarded morons.

20th Century Fox

As I said above though, the cast does a fairly good job. Chris Pine is charming as usual as the ladies' man, and Tom Hardy also shines charisma as the desperate, divorced single father. Reese Witherspoon, on the other hand, gives a pretty flat performance as the woman craving for love and eventually getting the attention of two hot men. Chelsea Handler provides good support as Lauren's constantly horny best friend. Yes, that's all the characterization these people have.

Unfortunately, the cast is pretty much the only good thing about This Means War as the dialogue is pretty awful, the banter feels forced, the jokes are predictable and fall flat most of the time, and the action scenes lack suspense and excitement —there are fights, chases and explosions, but it's all so bland, uninspired.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Mission: Impossible is by far my favourite action franchise. With the exception of Mission: Impossible II which was a huge misfire, I loved all the entries and, I don't know how they do it, but each movie they make is better than the previous instalment, and therefore I was very excited about Mission: Impossible - Fallout. And kinda pissed too because the film's release date here was moved from the end of July to the end of August. Thankfully, the long(er) wait did pay off. 

After choosing to save his team over rescuing three plutonium cores, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is forced to work with CIA agent/assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to prevent the nuclear cores from falling into the hands of the Apostles, a terrorist group founded by the remains of the Syndicate. 

Although a little coincidental and one particular revelation came off as predictable (I'm not going to mention it but, whether you've seen the whole movie or just the trailer, I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about), Mission: Impossible - Fallout's is far from being your typical, brainless action flick plot. It is quite complex, maybe too complex for an action flick --you really need to pay attention while watching this one-- but it is so compelling and engaging, and the twists, although there's a little too much plot twisting, keep you guessing and glued to the screen from start to finish. 

The great plot isn't the only reason why this sixth instalment is better than its predecessor though. The characters play a huge role in that. After Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, I didn't think it was possible to humanize Ethan Hunt even more. Fallout proved me wrong as the Ethan Hunt we see in the film is an actual man with weaknesses and flaws --he chooses to save one life over millions-- but at the same time, he is also honourable and compassionate. However, it's not the writing but Tom Cruise's performance that makes the character more human and believable as he appears vulnerable and displays the right amount of emotions.

As for the supporting characters, Fallout does a great job by focusing on and developing the characters we already know rather than introducing plenty of new characters --there are some additions, like Henry Cavill's August Walker and Vanessa Kirby's captivating White Widow, but most of the characters are from previous movies. Ving Rhames's Luther and Simon Pegg's Benji are finally given more to do --while Luther still serves as the moral compass of the team, Benji, who finally gets to wear a mask, is no longer just a comic relief but a (more serious) man of action; Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa is still a very capable spy but there's more warmth to the character and Ferguson's chemistry with Cruise is amazing. Sean Harris returns as Solomon Lane and, although he doesn't have much to do, he still makes a pretty good, menacing villain.

Paramount Pictures

As for the action, it is simply spectacular. The sequences are more exciting and intense than ever. Jaw-dropping doesn't even come close to describing how good the action is. The fight scenes are great --although they are choreographed, the violence feels real--, and so are the car and bike chases, but it's the extended sequence of Tom Cruise running on London's rooftops --and actually breaking his ankle in the process-- and the halo jump that took my breath away --especially the latter as I was so anxious I almost forgot to breath.

The musical score by Lorne Balfe is outstanding. I still haven't read any review so I don't know how much he's been praised for it, but his score truly elevates the film as it adds suspense and fits every scene to perfection, and it's half the reason you'll be on the edge of your seat during the action.

Ultimately, Mission: Impossible - Fallout has the right balance of comedy, drama and action, it's fun and exciting, the cast share a great chemistry and Tom Cruise does all of his stunts --which makes the action so much more effective. What else could you ask for in an action flick?