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One Movie Punch


Jul 30, 2018

Welcome back to Matinee Mondays!

I feel like some weekends there’s nothing worth seeing at the theater and other weekends there are too many movies to see and definitely not enough days for the reviews. Case in point, this weekend had six films I want to see in my area. However, to keep on format, I went with the newest release for this week, and will be working in the other films throughout August 2018. Assuming there’s not another avalanche of excellent films.

Speaking of August 2018, One Movie Punch will be rolling out a new themed day called Takeover Tuesday, where I’ll be working with listeners and fellow podcasters to guest write and record their own short reviews, including a promo for whatever they would like to plug. I’m still working out all the details, but if you are listening to this and are interested in participating, then reach out to me on social media or head on over to the contact page at onemoviepunch.com.

And now...

Today’s movie is “Mission: Impossible - Fallout“ (2018), the sixth entry into the popular movie franchise, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The film follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the rest of the IMF in the aftermath of a failed mission placing three plutonium warheads onto the black market. The team must work with CIA supervision to meet with the seller, while also trying to outrun their past.

Spoilers ahead.

I really wish that all sequels were just like this film in terms of scope and execution. The “Mission: Impossible” franchise has come a long way since 1996, continuing to refine the right mix of tension and action that goes all the way back to the original television show. It is what has made the intellectual property so endearing, along with Tom Cruise’s dedication to the role of Ethan Hunt and his insistence on doing his own stunt work. And based upon this entry, the franchise shows no signs of slowing at all.

Now, let’s talk about the aggressive marketing campaign. I think I saw a trailer for “Fallout” in 75% of the films I’ve seen in the theaters this year. I could almost quote each version of the trailer, making me not even want to see the film until I saw the incredibly positive early reviews. It definitely worked to get butts in seats, but it also made me spend a good deal of the film trying to figure out the order of the remaining scenes I saw in the trailer, especially when we would see Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan). I will say that the trailer does a nice job of both misdirection and leaving quite a bit of the best action bits for the full film, but I also think leaving her inclusion in the film a secret would have had greater impact.

Speaking of the end sequence, I began to get action fatigue, especially after over two hours of action adrenaline, and knowing deep down that the team was going to make it, as they always do, because that’s the job. The action sequences are well shot and incredible intense, especially around the tight streets of Europe for more than one car chase. The cast is in top form with the right amount of double and triple crosses that make each transition so exciting. But two and a half hours can feel like a bit much, no matter how great it all is.

“Mission: Impossible - Fallout“ (2018) is another classic “Mission: Impossible” story taking advantage of all the advances in fight and action choreography and stunt work, and leaving everything wide open for further adventures. Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise continue to up the ante without jumping the shark, at least not too much. Fans of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise or fans of action or spy movies in general should definitely check out this film. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (CERTIFIED)

Metacritic: 86

One Movie Punch: 8.2/10

“Mission: Impossible - Fallout“ (2018) is rated PG-13 and is currently playing in theaters.