Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Two years after the events of Rogue Nation, the Mission: Impossible franchise's sixth entry acts as a direct sequel for the first time with many returning faces and Christopher McQuarrie back in the director's seat; also a first for the series. With the exception of John Woo's odd first sequel, the series had experienced an upward trajectory but 2018's Fallout would be a true test for the series to see if it could swerve away 'sequelitis'. Rogue Nation released the same year as Spectre, when that one's returning director wasn't able to find the same magic that made the previous film a hit, so was this one mission too far for the team?

The mission begins in Belfast with Cruise and team failing to retrieve three nuclear weapons, and are then left with little choice but team-up with CIA agent Walker (a moustached Henry Cavill) and infiltrate a crime ring undercover. But more importantly, does this film answer my question from above? Well without wanting to make too many grand statements but this is without a doubt the strongest entry the series has yet to offer and ranks among this decades best action films. McQuarrie never wastes a moment in this brilliantly constructed adventure that is shot, edited and directed in a way that sets the bar almost too high for any future entries to beat.

When the action begins in the opening pre-title sequence, McQuarrie wisely keeps everything low-key for what follows next. The scale of the stunts involved, and the story of ankles bending the wrong way, is truly remarkable and has to be seen on the big screen to be believed. In the rare moments CGI is used in an explosion, it pales dramatically in comparison because everything else looks incredible. This is most evident towards the end but no spoilers here! And, a lot of this is in thanks to a hugely committed Tom Cruise whose stunt work gives Fallout that sense of realism and danger. The supporting cast also get to shine, even when not endangering their lives, particularly Cavill and his Superman-like muscular presence, which completes the film.

In a time of CGI, character-less and poorly written action films that lack imagination, Mission: Impossible - Fallout is a strong, pulse-pounding breath of fresh air and I'm glad I saw this on the big screen. I really hope that whatever follows next, keeps this level of commitment and holds onto the talented crew who made this such an experience. If they ever made an Oscar for stunt work, this would be the winner.