'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' review: Tom Cruise's death-defying stunts, captivating story is a must watch

Movie: Mission: Impossible – Fallout

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

Direction: Christopher McQuarrie

Duration: 2 hours, 27 minutes

Genre: Action-suspense

Language: English (U/A)

Story:

It’s a race against time as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team along with a few allies get ready to save the world from deadly nuclear explosions. 

Review:

It’s not as if we haven’t seen Ethan Hunt dangle from the umpteenth cliff or escape unharmed in high-speed chases in earlier instalments of the franchise, but this time, the thrills go up notches higher and you’re left clutching the sides of your seat as Ethan hunts the bad guys or is hunted by them. The picturesque streets of London and Paris become his playground for the death-defying stunts.

But Mission: Impossible – Fallout is not just about jumping from one action scene to another. There is a lot more storytelling, drama and suspense that builds up to those adrenaline-pumping sequences. Ethan and his trusted team, Luther (Ving) and Benji (Simon), need to get their hands on the plutonium that can cause destruction at the hands of Sean Harris, who reprises his role as Solomon Lane. With his twisted theory of ‘the greater the suffering, the greater the peace’, he’s out to create havoc but Ethan and his allies are not going to make it easy for him. 

At 56, Tom Cruise gives it his all. By now, we all know about the stunt that led to an ankle fracture. But never does Tom’s Ethan hesitate to rush headlong into walls or jump from one tall building to another. He delivers a knockout performance, playing a man on a mission, even if it means letting go of personal desires, for the greater good. By now, the audience trusts him to save the world, even if he looks bewildered for a second before blurting ‘I’ll figure it out’ when asked what he plans to do next. 

Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames give him ample support. As CIA agent August Walker, Henry Cavill is in full beefcake-avatar, displaying his punching skills and acting prowess behind an ample stubble and cool demeanour. If reports about him being considered for the role of James Bond are true, then the filmmakers have the right man in mind for the suave and charming Brit spy. 

Verdict:

With a script that does justice to its larger-than-life scenario, heart-racing action stunts and good performances, Fallout is certainly right up there with some of the best instalments in the movie franchise.

Critic’s Rating: 4/5