Mission: Impossible - Fallout

M:I's Fallout is a behemoth of an action movie. It charges at the speed of a cheetah, but ultimately packs the punch of an elephant. Not only does it deserve to be regarded as one of the most adventurous and explosive movies in the franchise, but should also undoubtedly go down as having pulled off the best feats in movie history overall. Lorne Balfe's absolutely stellar soundtrack goes hand in hand with the thumping of Ethan Hunt's footsteps. Christopher McQuarrie follows pursuit with visually breathtaking cinematography, and delivers some of the most captivating and tense action sequences to ever see the light of day. These sequences are long, but never drawn out, engaging in their entirety and as shocking as they are fun. Whether it's scaling along the rooftops of London or the mountains of Kashmir (Norway), the film digs its heels into some seriously exotic locations and makes the most of them. Tom Cruise shows off his athletic prowess relentlessly, and who can blame him? In every M:I film, he's been committed to giving 110% for the viewer, even if it kills him. Say what you want about the man, but he's a perfectionist, and inspires the other actors around him to have a similar drive. Henry Cavill matches his energy perfectly in the bathroom scene, all the way through to the mountains. He is very easily one of the most memorable villains in this franchise, and he makes it look effortless. All the other characters get plenty to do without relying on the main character, and have discernible input / stakes of their own. Take notes, James Bond franchise ❤️ A side note that I quite like about Fallout in particular: they address the fact Ethan has to go rogue in a lot of these films, and work against the organisation he's been hired by. It's an interesting thing to touch upon, and explore the idea that maybe they've pushed him too far (which obviously isn't the case, because he's a nice guy). After watching the previous Mission: Impossible movies now, it is also safe to say that the inclusion of Ethan's wife is executed satisfyingly. Their chemistry and connection, although feeling slightly random in M:I - 3, feels fitting here, and the way she's embroiled in the plot doesn't feel forced nor out of place. Particularly in action movies, romance feels like something that can be shoehorned in with very little care, and barely any development. Maybe this movie will do well to influence others. I see absolutely no reason why it shouldn't.