2020-2029, Film Review

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)

Posted on July 6, 2023May 26, 2025 by Martin: Through the Silver Screen

**© Paramount Pictures, Skydance and TC Productions**

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Film Review

Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Henry Czerny, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Synopsis: Ethan Hunt and the IMF find themselves in a race against time to prevent a new weapon from being utilised by a powerful enemy…

Review: Ever since making his first screen appearance as secret agent Ethan Hunt in 1996, the unparalleled commitment of Thomas Cruise Mapother IV to pull some truly insane and incredible stunts has made him practically unrivalled in terms of an out-and-out movie star. Here’s a man who has across nearly three decades of this franchise, among other things, climbed the tallest building in the world, hung off a plane in mid-air, performed a HALO jump and flown a helicopter for a pulsating tense chase sequence, all in the name of entertaining the audience. The success of last year’s Top Gun: Maverick, which was filled with some of the best aerial combat sequences ever captured on film, reinforced Cruise’s status as a box office draw. Now after a long and arduous journey to get to the big screen thanks to the Covid pandemic, Cruise once again suits up as Ethan Hunt for another nail-biting mission.

As the trailers kept the plot shrouded in secrecy, it would be impolite to go into massive amounts of detail about the plot. Suffice it to say, given the extraordinary amount of conversations which have been generated by the subject in question, it is extremely timely, packs what you’d normally expect from an MI adventure, and ensures the stakes for this seventh instalment somehow feel even bigger than its previous entries. When Ethan Hunt and the IMF learn of the existence of a new threat which would unleash global chaos if it fell into the wrong hands, Hunt along with trusted associates Benji (Pegg) and Luther (Rhames) and Ilsa (Ferguson) must set off another global mission to retrieve an artefact which could lead to this mysterious new weapon, while being pursued by an array of other forces who have also taken an interest in this weapon, which includes Vanessa Kirby’s Alanna Mitsopolis AKA the White Widow.

Given the remarkable longevity with which he has played this character, it will not come as a shock to learn that Cruise is once again terrific and there is genuinely no one else in the world who could possibly take on this role at this point. He continues to prove that age is just a number as despite now being into his sixties, he remains as committed as ever to throwing everything he has at the stunts this franchise has become so well known whether that be a crazy car chase, an exhilarating chase sequence or actually driving a motorbike off a cliff. While none of his IMF colleagues are involved with such extraordinary stunts, as is the case with Cruise, they have embodied these characters for so long now, they’re on reliably good form. As for new characters, the most noteworthy is Hayley Atwell’s Grace, a mysterious character who gets entangled with the IMF’s hunt for this mysterious weapon. With Sean Harris’s Solomon Lane now out of the picture, the latest villain to pose problems for the IMF comes in the form of Esai Morales’s Gabriel. While he is not the most well-developed villain in the franchise, he nevertheless proves to be a methodical antagonist who poses a substantial threat to give Ethan and the IMF a substantial headache, along with Paris (no, not the city), but instead, a sword-wielding assassin played with evil glee by Pom Klementieff.

While the stunts in this latest instalment continue to push the boundaries for what action cinema is capable of, it does come at a cost. In this entry of the franchise, more than any other which has been helmed by McQuarrie, it is noticeable that while the filmmakers go all out in terms of the action and the mind-bogglingly impressive level of stuntwork which must go into bringing them to life, McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen’s script stutters as a result. In this instalment, more so than any other film helmed by McQuarrie, it is apparent the screenplay is worked around the stunts and the unintended consequence of that is the events in the first act are a little convoluted and messy in its first act as it establishes the groundwork for what this mysterious weapon is and why it is so heavily sought after.

Once these wrinkles have been ironed out, the film kicks firmly into gear and its 163-minute run time flies by as quickly as its lead star can run. While it might not scale the heights of its predecessors (it will seriously be hard to beat that Burj Khalifa climb, the HALO jump or the jaw-dropping helicopter sequences), the intensity of the third act will have you in its grip for the entirety and will not let go until the credits have begun to roll. Time will tell just how long this franchise will have legs for, but so long as its star is willing to keep on running and pulling off more insane stunts, and its director remains committed to making them, it’s unlikely to run out of road or missions any time soon.

Following the pulsating highs of Fallout was always going to be a mission not even the IMF could accomplish. Nevertheless, the unwavering star power of Cruise and his commitment to delivering adrenaline-fuelled entertainment ensure that coming back for Part Two will be a mission audiences will be more than willing to accept.

2010-2019, Film Review

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Posted on July 28, 2018April 6, 2025 by Martin: Through the Silver Screen

**Image is property of Paramount, Bad Robot Productions and Skydance Media**

Mission: Impossible – Fallout – Film Review

Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby Michelle Monaghan, Henry Cavill, Sean Harris, Angela Bassett

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Synopsis: When the IMF learns of an organisation in possession of some deadly nuclear weapons, they face a race against time in order to prevent global catastrophe…

Review: Though the word Impossible is in the title, the Mission Impossible franchise continues to prove that nothing is impossible when it comes to creating mind boggling stunts, and combining that with very well crafted and compelling stories. The remarkable stunts however are in no small part down to the incredible work of Tom Cruise who goes all out in terms of giving the audience the perfect, adrenaline fuelled thrill ride. And with each new entry into this franchise, it continues to offer that, and in jaw-dropping and spectacular fashion.

With this being the sixth entry into the franchise, this can be the point where things start to run out of steam, but this can definitely not be said for Mr Cruise who is showing no signs of slowing down even well into his fifties, and long may that continue. In the wake of the events of Rogue Nation, after a mission goes awry, a sinister group threatens to unleash global nuclear catastrophe. Consequently, the IMF once again finds itself in a desperate mission to save the world once more. However, it wouldn’t be a MI film if there weren’t some solid characters, a bunch of agendas flying around, people being double-crossed, and some people with some sinister motivations.

Cruise, as he has been across all 6 films, is once again terrific as Ethan Hunt, likewise for his IMF companions in Luther (Rhames) and the tech wizard Benji (Pegg). Though the absence of Jeremy Renner’s Brandt is never really explained. Also making her return is Ilsa (Ferguson), mysterious as ever, and out on her own mission that threatens to get in the way of Hunt’s. This in turn drags Sean Harris’s nefarious Solomon Lane back into the picture, which isn’t really good news for anyone. As for the newbies, Henry Cavill, and his well publicised moustache, certainly gives Hunt another headache that he could really do without. Fresh from her work on The Crown, Vanessa Kirby’s mysterious role was an interesting one, but sadly she is somewhat underused as is Angela Bassett as the new director of the CIA.

For each new entry into the franchise, a new director accepted the mission to helm the project. However, this time McQuarrie is once again writing and directing. Given the slick style of action that he brought to the table, it is a welcome one to see him return. This film has almost every action set piece you can think of, and it’s just absolutely glorious to watch. There are some necessary breathers, which is helpful because by the time we reach the final action set piece, it really goes up a notch. The word tense REALLY just doesn’t do it justice, especially if you are afraid of heights. Sometimes you do wonder how on earth they accomplished what they did, this is action film-making at its absolute best.

The franchise has certainly seen absolutely batshit stunts like the thrilling Burj Khalifa scene in Ghost Protocol, but here Cruise might have just outdone himself with some of the stunts that are on show here, particularly in that enthralling final action scene. With each entry, this franchise just continues to just be a source of spectacular and electrifying entertainment, and arguably getting better with each instalment. The fallout of the film-making brilliance that you see on screen here means that should anyone choose to accept the mission to direct any future instalments, that itself is going to be its very own impossible mission. Good luck to whomever decides to take that challenge on.

A very well crafted and engaging story, fused with excellent action set pieces and some absolutely jaw-dropping stunts once more. Please fasten your seat-belts, you’re in for a pulsating ride.

2010-2019, Film Review

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

Posted on June 26, 2016May 16, 2025 by Martin: Through the Silver Screen

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Film Review

Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Lea Seydoux, Michael Nyqvist

Director: Brad Bird

Synopsis: The IMF is disavowed following a mission, and must use any means they can to take down a growing terrorist threat, bent on global destruction.

Review: If there is one movie star today who absolutely commits himself to every stunt he does, for the sole purpose of giving the audience the ultimate thrill, edge-of-your-seat action, then look no further than Tom Cruise. In this fourth instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise, Cruise really decided to up the “holy shit” factor by actually scaling the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and in doing so produced one of the best set pieces ever put to film.

Of course, this is one exhilarating and intense action sequence in a movie jam packed with amazing sequences and some really great characters, all under the supervision of animation veteran Brad Bird. The IMF has been disavowed after a pretty catastrophic event which they are subsequently blamed for, and it is up to them to clear their name and find the real perpetrator. From a thrilling prison break sequence in the beginning, a daring mission in Moscow, the aforementioned scaling of the Burj Khalifa, to a climatic chase in Mumbai. The action sequences are thrilling and very intense at times, and can certainly lay claim to some of the best in the franchise. Yet, there are plenty of moments to allow the audience to catch their breath.

Aptly for the fourth film in the franchise, the IMF has four key players, Cruise’s Ethan Hunt, Benji Dunn (Pegg), and newbies Jane Carter (Patton) and William Brandt (Renner). Together the four of them make a pretty effective team, although it’s not always happy times, as Agent Carter has a vendetta, specifically against the secondary antagonist played brilliantly by Lea Seydoux. Each of the actors give excellent performances. Sure Cruise’s Hunt is the main character but the team play an important role too and that is stressed throughout out this movie, they are a team, and they get stuff done as a team. Pegg’s Benji is there to provide the humour, and he does so wonderfully well. Lea Seydoux appears as a secondary antagonist, but she is a much more compelling villain.

The real trouble here is the main villain, Nyqvist is fine in the role, but he is a bit generic. A madman who wants to wreak global nuclear destruction, not exactly anything new in the genre of spies and espionage movies. However, it serves to help the plot move forward, which also in itself is a little bit generic, as it tries to create a new Cold War, except this one wouldn’t be so cold as to very very hot one. Nevertheless, it remains a very exciting movie to watch, and a stylish one at that! When a franchise reaches its fourth instalment, there are times when a franchise needs to be put to bed, or it proves to provide awesome entertainment that ensures it keeps going. The latter is applicable here and when the fifth instalment came out last year, it went on to produce even more greatness for the franchise.

Gripping action sequences, with top performances from its cast, especially from Cruise, the Mission Impossible franchise continues to accept its missions, and with great style too!

2010-2019, Film Review

Skyfall (2012)

Posted on October 27, 2015May 29, 2017 by Martin: Through the Silver Screen

Skyfall – Film Review

Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomi Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Bérénice Marlohe

Director: Sam Mendes

Synopsis: When MI6 comes under attack from an unknown threat, Bond finds his loyalty to the organisation and M, put under extreme pressure. Shaken from a near death experience, Bond must put aside questions and hunt down the ominous threat looming over MI6.

Review: Dr No, the first time a suave and charismatic agent known as James Bond came onto screens and audiences got their first look at what has since become an iconic character and franchise. In those fifty years, 23 films arrived, and on the fiftieth anniversary of the franchise, the 23rd film in this remarkable franchise blasted its way onto our screens and in doing so with Daniel Craig’s third outing as 007 cemented itself as one of the best the series has ever seen in its long and illustrious history, and for Craig to once again reinforce himself as one of the finest actors to ever don the 007 tuxedo and hold that license to kill.

In this latest adventure, Mr 007 has been through some trouble and in a brilliant opening chase sequence, is after an important piece of hardware that has some top secret information on it (as par the norm with Bond!) Yet when things go awry and it is only due to desperate need that he returns to espionage duty when a large threat is hanging over the British Secret Service. Yet he is not in the best of shape and must get back into the game. As per the course, we have our usual Bond elements, beautiful women, gadgets, and the so on. However what Skyfall does so brilliantly is make Bond a human being and a man with layers to him. He is not a superhero, he is mortal and at his heart he’s a very wounded man. You really feel Bond’s mortality in this story, he could very easily die and credit for that must go to screenwriters Robert Wade, Neal Purvis and John Logan.

As well as making Bond a very wounded and human character, the screen-writing team also deliver an astounding script with a very good story that keeps you engaged. With each passing film Craig cements himself as the perfect actor to play Bond. In addition, Dame Judi Dench as M probably gives the best performance she ever has in the role. She has dark secrets that she has been keeping from Bond and it really tests the relationship she has with him. With our heroes in place, a good villain is paramount and an essential ingredient of any Bond movie. Enter Oscar winner Javier Bardem as the ruthless, cold, Raoul Silva, a former MI6 agent who threatens to unleash chaos on the world. A brilliant and masterful portrayal from the man who chilled everybody to the bone in No Country For Old Men. Here he delivers another wounded performance that is certainly up there with the very best villains that this franchise has ever seen. Another stellar addition to the cast is the addition of a youthful Q, played by the brilliant Ben Whishaw, who provides some sharp and witty banter with Bond when presenting him with his innovative new gadgets. The cast all play their roles exceptionally well.

With the addition of Roger Deakins as cinematography, the film is visually beautiful with some remarkable shots of astounding beauty and brilliance. In addition to this Sam Mendes did a masterful job behind the camera with some breathtaking direction. With Thomas Newman’s top notch score to boot, all of the elements mesh perfectly to create a brilliant, exhilarating and enthralling adventure that ticks all the boxes a Bond film should have but adds darker elements in there with the traditional, to brilliant results. What’s more, the film has an Oscar winning theme song to boot! Vodka Martini shaken and stirred to perfection Mr Bond!