Story

But it doesn’t start that well for Ethan Hunt. After he receives mysterious package which informs him of his mission (should he choose to accept it) and self-destructs in five seconds, Ethan faces big dilemma. He needs to choose between life of his friend and lives of possibly billions of people. Ethan without much deliberation decides to save his buddy. In result, he now has to live with consequences of this choice which leads to his own government berating him and forcing to fix his mistakes. Now he and his team of IMF operatives and such have to race against the time. They travel to Paris to meet with mysterious arms dealer, White Widow, who might or might not be able to help Ethan with his problem. But it the world of spies, Ethan should remember that nothing is what it seems to be.

Writing

Christopher McQuarrie returns to write and direct “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. And if you thought that previous installments were getting all “Fast and Furious”, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is “Fast and Furious” on steroids, but without any ridiculousness. I like how Ethan Hunt’s character is more tamed in this film. Yes, he still punches walls and survives all kind of transportation accidents, but all these are not as stupid as it was in previous films. Main selling point of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is, of course, relentless action sequences. But even without them film is satisfyingly good to watch. There is a coherent script, that seems more fluid than previous films. Screenplay no longer throws Ethan to random exotic locations just for the sake of it, just like in “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol“.

Spy games

But there are several things I didn’t like about screenplay. Firstly, the whole film’s premise is built on Ethan’s decision to save his friend instead of saving millions of people. In the world of spies, secret agents and operatives it is so unbelievable and inconceivable that an operative as experienced as Ethan Hunt will choose to save his friend and risk deaths of millions. Film justifies this choice by painting Ethan as humane operative. And making everyone care and like Ethan more. Even his boss understands and commends him for his choice. It was so stupid, it almost ruined the whole movie, because I kept saying to myself “well, this is good BUT it wouldn’t have happened have Ethan made the correct choice”.

Then there is weirdly complex plot. I left theater thinking I understood everything, but when my father (whom I’ve seen this film with) asked me who is White Widow and what exactly she was doing there, I suddenly realized that I couldn’t give him a coherent answer. And for next fifteen minutes of drive home I was trying to remember what happened and who double-crossed whom and who is secret agent and who is bad guy and realized that I literally couldn’t make any sense of the plotline. It’s not that it is overly complicated, vice versa, it seems pretty straightforward but just then doesn’t make much sense.

Hunt (Cruise) hangs for his life

Directing

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” hides all these shortcomings with over the top action scenes. And what action scenes are these! Beautifully staged, intricately choreographed, generously filmed and elegantly presented. In the era when CGI and green screens dominate the films, it is a miracle to see “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” which uses a lot of practical effects and rely on incredibly complicated stunts. The motorcycle chase through Paris and helicopter ride through Himalayas, I am sure will stay in memories for long time.

Besides crazy stunts, McQuarrie manages to get viewers on the edge of the seat and keep him there from first scene all the way to the end credits. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” boasts 2.5 hours runtime, but it NEVER bores you. I have to compliment McQuarrie that even in the slower scenes he keeps everyone entertained.

Hunt (Cruise) and Walker (Cavill) trying to find White Widow

Acting

Unlike previous films I actually did enjoy Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. He doesn’t dominate the screen time as before and his portrayal is more down-to-Earth. Yes, he is still same James Bond, macho guy, but he feels like more matured, evolved version of himself. Cruise did his own stunts, as usual, and it only magnifies his performance. Hunt’s team members are Ving Rhames as Luther and Simon Pegg as Benji. Both of them bring nothing new, albeit serving as much needed relief from the Cruise. Rebecca Ferguson reprises her role as MI6 operative. But she looks SO much alike Michelle Monaghan, who returns as Ethan’s wife, Julia, that I honestly confused them several times during the film. Henry Cavill appears as CIA operative August Walker and he makes more believable agent than a Superman. Maybe he should stick to this kind of roles.

Summary

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is clearly not only the best film of the series, but also one of the best action films since “Mad Max: Fury Road”. It is amazingly well-made action film, that will keep you biting your nails through its long runtime. Intricate stunts that are masterfully filmed and edited are a wonder to watch and manage to mask out ridiculousness and complexity of the plot.

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Unlike the first movie, “Game of Shadows” tries not be compliant with the source anymore. Instead it tries to look like its predecessor, so that viewers DON’T compare it to the books. And that actually gives much more perspective – first of all, there’s nothing to compare, almost everything is different. Secondly, it gives director much more control in terms of “actionalazing” the topic, that in reality doesn’t have much action in it.

The story follows Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) who is in pursuit of criminal anarchist super-mind Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). His long-time accomplice Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is missing on action tho – he is trying to get happily married. Although this is not what Holmes wants, but he has to go with it. Unfortunately, Moriarty is not the person who possesses high emotions for romance, so Watson and his newlywed wife get involved in his complicated plot to throw Holmes away from his path. Being such a perfect opponent to Holmes, soon this game of shadows turns into a complicated chess game.

Robert Downey Jr. creates the same crazy persona of Holmes as in previous movie. Essentially its the same Holmes described on the pages of the book – insane, smart, strong, and extraordinary. He likes disguises. He likes games. He likes worthy opponents. He likes chaotic life he lives in, where he finds peace in every single element. Needless to say that he tries to deny the whole notion of wedding of his dearest companion Watson. And his emotions on the wedding day are genuine. I was thinking who would have played a better Holmes, in the given setup. Maybe Johnny Depp. Or maybe Brad Pitt. But Downey Jr. shows the exact amount of quirkiness needed by the character. Not less, not more.

I really enjoyed the supporting cast this time, more than the previous movie. Dr.Watson played by Jude Law looks more believable than the first part. The main villain – Moriarty is portrayed by Jared Harris and he, I should say, does his job outstandingly. His Moriarty is an evil genius and his whole presence in the scene gives exact message “do not even attempt to outsmart me”. I was really surprised of inclusion of Stephen Fry as Mycroft – the older brother of Sherlock. He adds some good laughs to the film.

This I can’t say about compulsory female characters in the movie. I hated Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) in the first one, and was kind of relieved she was not included to the plot of this one. Mrs.Watson (Kelly Reilly) looks better this time and she performs her part perfectly. Gypsy fortune teller/french anarchist Madam Simza Heron (played by Noomi Rapace – the original Girl with Dragon Tattoo) was an interesting character, played really well, but her whole point in the movie was kind of ambiguous and rather felt a little out of place.

This is the biggest production of Guy Ritchie so far and he utilizes all the powers he has in his hands to show all the stuff he wanted to show before. There are a lot of CGI in the process, let it be green screen matte paintings of London, Paris or Switzerland, or the incredible shootout in the forest. Fight sequences are craftily choreographed. Fast editing and inclusion of thought process of Holmes is an interesting touch. Watch out for Little Hansel, this small sequence includes all the directorial trademarks by Guy Ritchie.

I enjoyed the movie. Its nothing compare to the much beloved Soviet version, but it has its own uniqueness that provides an interesting approach to the whole Holmes persona. I give it 8/10.

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