Showing posts with label Mission Impossible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mission Impossible. Show all posts

Wednesday, 5 September 2018

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?

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Genre


Director


Country

United States | United Arab Emirates | Czech Republic

Cast

Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Samuli Edelmann, Ivan Shvedoff, Anil Kapoor, Léa Seydoux, Josh Holloway, Pavel Kříž, Miraj Grbić, Ilia Volok, Tom Wilkinson, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Lavell Crawford, Mike Dopud, Ivo Novák, Brian Caspe, April Stewart, Nicola Anderson

Plot

The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization's name. No help, no contact, off the grid.

Opinion

Brad Bird's debut in a non-animated film is a success, as a matter of fact Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the best film in the series. The film is enjoyable, captivating and thrilling, and it is impossible to take your eyes off the screen. Less masks, less explosions, but still cool gadgets and fantastic cars - BMW's i8 deserves a special mention. 
This time, Agent Hunt - more humanized and aged - really needs his team's help to accomplish the mission. Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg, returns and a new agent arrives, William Brandt, played by Jeremy Renner.
The acting is pretty much good. Tom Cruise is always great as Ethan Hunt. Simon Pegg is very enjoyable as Benji. Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner - I wonder if he will ever replace Cruise - also give some great performances. 


Quotes

William Brandt: Next time, I get to seduce the rich guy.

Benji Dunn: Easy way to remember: blue is glue.
Ethan Hunt: And when it's red?
Benji Dunn: Dead.

Rating

7.5/10

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Maggie Q, Simon Pegg, Eddie Marsan, Laurence Fishburne, Bellamy Young, Jeff Chase, Bahar Soomekh, George Cheung, Ty Williams, Sasha Alexander, Aaron Paul

Plot
IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is forced back into the field just when he was planning on marrying his girlfriend, Julia (Michelle Monaghan). The agency asks Hunt to save an operative (Keri Russell) he trained after weapons dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) kidnaps her. With the help of his field team, Hunt achieves his goal, but becomes involved in a web of double-crosses that leave him wondering if he can trust his superiors.

Opinion
Making a sequel to Mission: Impossible II wasn't hard, but I have to say this film pretty impressed me. Mission: Impossible III is thrilling and entertaining, and, although it is not up to any film of the Bourne trilogy, it is a good spy film.
Once again there are lots of explosions, and gadgets explode in five seconds, but there is not an overuse of masks - we finally get to know how they make those things - and the impossible stunts, that have characterized the previous films, are finally gone, and I guess I have to thank J.J. Abrams for that.
The acting is good. Tom Cruise does a good job in the action scenes, where his facial expressions are pretty much convincing, but he fails in having chemistry with Michelle Monaghan (True Detectives). Philip Seymour Hoffman does an excellent job as villain Owen Davian, bringing some terror to the character.


Quotes

Brassel: Mr. Musgrave, please don't interrupt me when I'm asking rhetorical questions.

Rating

7.2/10

Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton , Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, Roland Krönmeyer, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Rade Šerbedžija, William Mapother, Dominic Purcell, Matthew Wilkinson, Nicholas Bell, Cristina Brogers, Kee Chan, Kim Fleming, Sam Jones, Tory Mussett

Plot

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera". His mission is made impossible due the fact that a gang of international terrorists, lead by Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), is after samples of the disease so to complete their plant of infecting the whole world.

Opinion

De Palma is gone and you can tell. Mission: Impossible II is nothing but a misfire. John Woo was definitely not a good choice. The plot isn't much original, it is just the same story told over and over again. The script is awful. There are too many masks. The action scenes, not bad as the rest of the film, are partially destroyed by the constant impossible stunts, the unrealistic explosions, and the abuse of special effects.
Ethan Hunt is now a clone of James Bond. He has gadgets, great sports cars and motorbikes, a beautiful woman and a megalomaniac villain.
Let's talk about the cast, shall we? Dougray Scott is not a great villain: he wouldn't even scare a child. Thandie Newton, who plays the woman, is certainly beautiful but not a good actress. On the other hand, Tom Cruise is not that bad, and Anthony Hopkins is great.


Quotes

Dr. Nekhorvich: Every search for a hero must begin with something which every hero requires, a villain.

Sean Ambrose: You know, that was the hardest part about having to portray you, grinning like an idiot every fifteen minutes.

Rating

4.0/10

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė, Emilio Estevez, Karel Dobrý, Olegar Fedoro, Dale Dye

Plot

Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) is sent to Prague for a mission to prevent the theft of classified material. Unfortunately, something goes wrong and the mission fails, leaving Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) the lone survivor. When he reports the failed mission, Kettridge (Henry Czerny) the head of the agency suspects Ethan of being the culprit for the failed mission. Now, Ethan uses unorthodox methods to try to find who set him up and to clear his name.

Opinion

A popular belief says this film is confusing, and nearly impossible to follow: I'm not quite sure I've seen the same film. Mission: Impossible is an entertaining film, with some moments of tension and suspense.
Brian De Palma's direction is good, and he manages to keep the viewer glued to the screen without putting lot of efforts.
Tom Cruise is certainly not Sean Connery, but he performs well, although during the dialogues only one thing is moving: his jaw. The support from Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart and Jean Reno is strong, but the latter's character is not very interesting.

Buy/Rent on Amazon Instant Video

Quotes

Ethan Hunt: Can I ask you something, Kittridge? If you're dealing with a man who has crushed, shot, stabbed, and detonated five members of his own IMF team, how devastated do you think you're gonna make him by hauling Mom and Uncle Donald down to the county courthouse?

Rating

7.0/10