Tag: christopher mcquarrie

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – Our Favorite Highlights From Tom Cruise And Director Christopher McQuarrie’s Movie

Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie on the set of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

“There is never an easy day on Mission: Impossible. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Cruise’s legendary superspy Ethan Hunt has by now made both their names synonymous with achieving the unimaginable. But in The Final Reckoning, an eighth entry that is the jaw-dropping, satisfying arc to a now 30-year story, the pair of them are facing their most dangerous and narratively complex challenge ever. Simply put the film is EPIC!

The 9th movie is the culmination of Hunt’s journey, bringing back characters and plot threads from the franchise’s very beginning while delivering the spectacular action fans have come to expect.

Read Cate Marquis’s review: https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2025/05/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning/

Here are a few of the brilliant highlights from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING.

Tom Cruise’s Unmissable Theatrical Experience: This is why we go to the movies! As always with “Mission: Impossible,” the film is designed for the big screen. The scale of the stunts and the immersive nature of the filmmaking demand a theatrical viewing. Cruise is truly a global cultural icon who has made an immeasurable impact on cinema by creating some of the most memorable characters of all time. The star issued this statement on Tuesday morning.

The “Mission: Impossible” franchise is renowned for its practical and breathtaking stunts. The previous installment, “Dead Reckoning Part One,” featured a highly publicized motorcycle jump off a cliff and a massive train sequence. The new film has some of the most daring set pieces in cinema.

The aerial sequence against Gabriel: The basis of the story in the aerial sequence in The Final Reckoning finds Esai Morales’ Gabriel has just flown off in a classic Stearman biplane, forcing Ethan to give chase in a second one, transfer to its undercarriage and climb onto the wing of Gabriel’s plane, to fight him. In the real world, this staggering sequence was filmed at 10,000 feet above sea level, with Cruise battling hurricane-force winds, and a pilot trying his very best to throw him off. Co-star Henry Czerny probably says it simplest. “What Tom does up there is something you’ll never forget, for the rest of your life.”

Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

Diving The Sevastopol: For Cruise, shooting The Sevastopol sequence was physically exhausting, to a level that he could only really discover by getting in the tank and finding out firsthand. McQuarrie says, “Despite their best-laid plans, the sequence proved to be a scheduling nightmare, with them able to set aside ten days to shoot. For the director and star and producer, that number wasn’tnearly enough to put what they knew they were truly capable of up on screen. “The accepted limit for shooting underwater was six shots per day. So, I designed a sequence that would comprise twenty shots total. This ensured that ten days was more than enough time. It also ensured Tom would have to work much harder and hold his breath longer to get the shots required. Such is Mission.”

Historic Box Office: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” had a strong opening, and “The Final Reckoning” is the conclusion of Ethan Hunt’s story. THR reported that the film opened to a series-best $79 million domestically and a franchise-high $191 million globally, according to weekend actuals (M:I’s final domestic tally was up from Sunday’s estimate of $77.5 million). The numbers include a three-day weekend gross of $64 million for Final Reckoning. “

Music Score: The music for “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (and by extension, “The Final Reckoning” as it’s a two-part story) was composed by Lorne Balfe. Max Aruj, after providing additional music for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, and Alfie Godfrey took the baton for The Final Reckoning and made it even more thrilling! Their powerful and propulsive score incorporates Lalo Schifrin’s classic theme. Listen to the score here: https://missionimpossible.lnk.to/thefinalreckoningAY

Actress Hannah Waddingham as Admiral Neely: Hannah Waddingham is indeed a new addition to “The Final Reckoning” cast, playing the character of Admiral Neely, in charge of the USS George H.W. Bush. She is very much patterned after the first woman to command a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier – Captain Amy Bauernschmidt – who took command of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in August 2021. https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-05-24/abraham-lincoln-change-command-10221945.html

Hannah Waddingham plays Admiral Neely in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

Shea Whigham as Jim Phelps, Jr.: This is a confirmed and significant reveal in “The Final Reckoning.” Shea Whigham’s character, Jasper Briggs, is revealed to be Jim Phelps Jr., the son of Jon Voight’s villainous character from the original 1996 “Mission: Impossible” film. This adds a deeply personal layer to Briggs’ pursuit of Ethan Hunt.

Shea Whigham plays Briggs in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

The Return of William Donloe: Yes, Rolf Saxon reprises his role as William Donloe, the CIA analyst from the first “Mission: Impossible” movie. His return connects directly to the events of the original film and provides an unexpected and important supporting role in The Final Reckoning.

Read the NY Times interview with Saxon: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/movies/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-william-donloe-rolf-saxon.html

“When Saxon, 69, first got wind that McQuarrie wanted to meet with him on a video call, he thought that a friend was playing an elaborate prank. “In fact, when Chris told me that, I thought it was a way of getting me to do it,” he said. “I thought he was being nice and generous.”

In the summer of 2023, after he shot his initial scenes, Saxon got a call from McQuarrie and braced for the worst. But the director was not getting in touch about axed scenes. Instead, he was informing him that they wanted him to come back to work. They had added him into the last section of the movie.

“We wrote a small part for him, and we just kept expanding, it kept growing,” McQuarrie said. “I called Tom and I said, ‘You know, I think we’re doing ourselves a disservice if we let this character leave the movie midway through.’ Tom said, ‘I completely agree; he should be there in the third act.’”

Saxon was nervous when he first got to set, but he said Cruise, whom he had interacted with only briefly during the first movie, quickly put him at ease.”

Rolf Saxon plays William Donloe in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

By Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson

With The Odds Impossible, The Mission Falls To Tom Cruise: Watch The First Teaser For MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING

When the need for certainty is absolute
And the odds are deemed impossible
The mission falls to him

Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in the follow-up to 2023’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE and to start the week, Paramount Pictures has released a first poster and teaser for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING.

Official Synopsis: “Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.“

In 2024, Cruise appeared in the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony to promote Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics, by jumping from the roof of the Stade de France stadium in Paris. He took the flag from Mayor Karen Bass and athlete Simone Biles to Hollywood.

As seen in the trailer, Cruise wears the same wardrobe as Ethan Hunt in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING that he did performing the epic stunt on August 11, 2024.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE sits at an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The franchise has grossed over $4 billion worldwide, with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT having the highest ticket sales with $220,159,104.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and produced by Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller, composer Lorne Balfe returns to score the movie.

The film also stars Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING opens in theaters on MAY 23, 2025.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE – Review

With this week’s release of an entry in a blockbuster action franchise the old adage of seven being a lucky number will truly be put to the test. Now it’s not the highest number franchise as we’ve gotten FAST X or the longest running like the big flick from almost two weeks ago, INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (way back in 1981). Of course, we can add on the inspiration for this series, actually a TV series (overseen by Lucy…really) which exploded onto the airwaves way back in the prehistoric era (nah, merely 1966). Oh, but this “tentpole” has catapulted well past its “network” roots. Still, it’s tough not to hear that infectious theme music from Lalo Schifrin when taking in this rather long title (but thanks, Paramount, for being “upfront” about it) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. And now I’m seeing that sizzling fuse in my head.


Surprisingly this new installment doesn’t begin with the finale of another caper involving the IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Nope, we’re on board for the last cruise (‘natch) of an “invisible” Russian submarine. Advanced top-secret stealth capabilities really, completely undetectable. But not indestructible as two prized interlocking keys are left floating in its wreckage. This leads to a new mission, which he “chooses to accept”, for IMF ace Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), who is sent to the Namib desert for a deadly reunion with old cohort Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). Soon he’s back in the States as a “hush-hush” meeting of “the Community” outlines the urgent need for said keys. It’s the only way to stop a now rogue AI program called “the Entity”, which has become sentient and desires to use the world wide web to take over the planet. Hunt’s boss Kitteridge (Henry Czerny) is present, along with his superior, DNI head Denlinger (Cary Elwes). Learning of Hunt’s involvement, he sends out a team led by Briggs (Shea Whigham) and Degas (Greg Tarzan Davies) to stop the IMF. Reuniting with his teammates and pals, Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg), Hunt travels to the Abu Dhabi airport to intercept a key transfer. Said item is snatched away by pro pickpocket/ “drop-pocket” Grace (Hayley Atwell). But Hunt also has to deal with the return of an old enemy, the ruthless and deadly Gabriel (Esai Morales), who’s helping the Entity. This leads to a globetrotting race for the keys, with stops in Rome and Venice, battles with Gabriel’s aide, the deadly Paris (Pom Klementieff), and a tense showdown by another woman from Hunt’s past, Alanna AKA “the White Widow” (Vanessa Kirby). Eventually, everything and everyone converge on a heart-stopping ride aboard the Orient Express (with no Belgian master detective to help). Perhaps this is a mission that’s truly impossible.

This thriller boasts an impressive acting ensemble, but once again this is Mr. Cruise’s show. In the previous sextet, he’s more than proved his skills in selling spectacular action stunts. However, Ethan is not merely a “daredevil. We see some of his warmth and committment to his team, while forging a couple of possible romances. Plus he injects humor into these dire predictaments as he quickly “switches gears” when plans go awry, and even shows a sign of panic as he works up the “nerve” to plunge forward. And then Cruise shows us that the “superspy” is a man of principals when he decides to block the “higher-ups” who lust after the Entity. As mentioned earlier, his sometimes squabbling duo has is back. Rhames as Luther is often the wise and grounded elder mentor, sort of the “cool uncle” , while Pegg as Benji is the often over-excited and exasperated “kid brother” who only gets “in the field” when absolutely needed. Ferguson is quite dynamic and decisive as the skilled Faust, while Kirby is slinky and sexy as the unpredictable “wild card” Alanna. Probably the best of the “newbies” is Atwell, upending her MCU Peggy Carter persona, as the “in it for the bucks” Grace who slowly starts to regain her ethics due to the influence of the IMF and especially Hunt (and yes, there’s a playful chemistry between them). As for the “opponants”, Wigham and Davis are very good as the “by the books” partners who seem to always be a step or two behind Hunt, earning a begrudging respect from the elder agent. But the biggest “baddie” is Gabriel played with a chilling dead-eyed glare by Morales. He’s a near-unstoppable force of villainy, who doesn’t hesitate in inflicting violence against anyone, especially Hunt’s friends (it appears to be his only source of pleasure). A good counterpoint to this “weapon” is Klementieff’s Paris who does derive lots of joy from the chaos she creates. Czerny is quite effective as the morally ambiguous IMF chief, who seems to have his own sinister agenda, while Elwes is “carving a niche” for himself as a smarmy bureaucrat who’s in need of a comeuppance.

Taking the directing chair for the third time is Christopher McQuarrie who keeps the story moving with nearly as much energy as one of Cruise’s manic sprints (yup, he’s burning up the “shoe leather” once again) making it feel like half of its163-minute runtime. Yes, the bulk of the flick consists of several big action sequences, but McQuarrie doesn’t let them veer too much into the “silly” or needlessly repetitive. The Rome chase is full of twists and even allows for some nice “interplay” between Hunt and Grace (hear that, FAST X). And the “tiny car” comedy outdoes Indy’s trek in Tangiers. Speaking of Dr. Jones, the Orient Express train sequence easily bests the DIAL WWII prologue (which is perhaps its best moment). And the Venice “techno dance arena” here has more gravitas than the similar setting in the recent John Wick opus. But unlike many of those other recent blockbusters, there’s lots of fun to be had in between the fighting and driving as we get a greater understanding of the bond between the IMF, who now seems to be a mix of the A-Team, the Lone Ranger, the Magnificent Seven, and a touch of the Avengers (movies and TV show). Sure the locations are stunning, but the main selling point continues to be Cruise’s insistence in doing as much of the stunt work as possible. He wants us to know that he’s not “chilling” in his trailer. It’s almost as though he’s the modern-day version of the silent movie “thrill” comic actors. Of course, Jackie Chan touched on that with his Chaplin-like agility in his early career, but Cruise takes it a bit further. In GHOST PROTOCOL, he’s riffing on Harold Llyod in SAFETY LAST as he climbs that towering skyscraper. With the big railway finale here, I was reminded of Buster Keaton’s THE GENERAL. And like those classics, many of the scenes will have you gripping those armrests. In short, this is a most worthy addition to the series, mixing a “ripped from the headlines” menace/McGuffin (Y’know, AI “creating art”) with new locales and deadlier dangers. Oh, and again, extra kudos for stating that the story is continued, right up front in the titles and promotions. FAST X, ends on a cliffhanger leading to a couple more flicks (sheesh), and I love the new SPIDER-VERSE dearly, but they shouldn’t have lost the “sprayed-on graffiti-style” Part One after the first couple of teasers and a few toys. So, be like this flick and “put it out there”, studios! If only all the Summer blockbusters were as forthright, exciting, and fun as MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. Now, when does two arrive?

3.5 Out of 4

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE is now playing in theatres everywhere

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE New Video Features Tom Cruise In Rome Car Chase And Tickets On Sale Now

Paramount Pictures has released a look behind the scenes of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE.

The studio has also announced a Mission: Impossible –  Dead Reckoning Part One Early Access Fan Event to celebrate the theatrical release of the film opening nationwide exclusively in theatres. The Early Access Fan Event will include one show on July 10th at 7:00PM local time at participating theatres across the country, in advance of the film’s nationwide debut on July 12th. The show will be presented in an array of premium theatrical formats including Dolby Cinema and IMAX.

Check out this feature where Tom Cruise drives and drifts one-handed through the streets of Rome.

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, starring and produced by Tom Cruise and once again written, directed, and produced by Christopher McQuarrie, Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Tickets for the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Early Access Fan Event and general Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One tickets are on sale today. To purchase tickets for the Early Access Fan Event Screening and for participating theatre listings in your area, go to missionimpossible.com/earlyaccess. 

General tickets are also on sale at missionimpossible.com. Tickets for all shows also on sale at exhibitors’ websites & mobile apps and at participating theatre box offices nationwide.

Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

Ticketholders seeing Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One at this advance Early Access Fan Event screening will also see special bonus content curated for this event, plus will receive limited-edition collectibles including a collector’s print and IMF enamel pin given away at their local theatre on the date of the event, while supplies last.

Says Paramount Pictures President of Domestic Distribution Chris Aronson, “Five years after the release of Mission: Impossible—Fallout, fans everywhere have been patiently awaiting this seventh installment and we’re thrilled to be able to show audiences the most daring and action-packed mission yet. It’s a film that demands to be seen on the big screen and we’re excited to showcase it in premium formats featuring the most dynamic picture and immersive sound in advance of its release.”

Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE IS ONLY IN THEATRES, DOLBY CINEMA, PREMIUM LARGE FORMATS, AND IMAX ON JULY 12, 2023.

Tom Cruise Means Business In Action-Packed Trailer For MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE

“If anything happens to them… there’s no place I won’t go to kill you. THAT is written.”

Oh man, Tom Cruise is the absolute best (and total badass) when he gets that look in his eye.

Check it out for yourselves in the first spectacular trailer for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE, from director Christopher McQuarrie.

This trailer is INSANE and holy crap! that death-defying stunt Cruise does with the motorcycle off the cliff will be worth the ticket price alone!

In case you missed the behind-the-scenes video on that incredible jump, check it out below.

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

The film also stars Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt, Cary Elwes, Mark Gatiss, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE is written by Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen and based on the Television Series Created by Bruce Geller. The score is from composer Lorne Balfe (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE FALLOUT, BLACK ADAM, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, and Apple TV’s GHOSTED and TETRIS.

Produced by Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE is only in theaters, Dolby Cinema, Premium Large Format, and IMAX on July 12, 2023.

Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

©2023 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.

Watch Tom Cruise Perform A Death-Defying Stunt In First Teaser For MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE

Next year Tom Cruise returns as Impossible Missions Force (IMF) team leader Ethan Hunt in the long awaited next chapter in the successful franchise, with Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

The cast includes Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Henry Czerny, Rob Delaney, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Mark Gatiss, Charles Parnell, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt.

Check out this first look at MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE.

Cruise, who launched the franchise in 1996, is truly an entertainer who wants to give audiences a film more thrilling and intense than its predecessor. This is the third film in the series that Cruise and McQuarrie have collaborated on following MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION (2015), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (2018) and now MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. McQuarrie, an Oscar winner for his screenplay for The Usual Suspects, and Cruise previously teamed up for the 2012 film JACK REACHER.

Fans of the popular franchise will be glad to see the return on Ving Rhames, who has played the character of Luther Stickell since the first Mission: Impossible film in 1996, as well as Benji Dunn, played by actor, comedian and filmmaker Simon Pegg.

Over the past two decades, Tom Cruise has produced, starred in and performed in the most mind-blowing stunts in the Mission: Impossible films, a global cultural phenomenon that has grossed more than $2.8 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful franchises in movie history. With TOP GUN: MAVERICK opening this weekend, both films solidify Tom Cruise’s status as the biggest movie star on the planet.

Based on the TV series by Bruce Geller, the seventh MI film is set to hit theaters on July 14, 2023.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT – Review

Oh no, those dreaded “back to school” commercials and sales flyers are suddenly popping up everywhere. Action film fans must realize that the Summer movie season will be over in a few short weeks. Serious cinema will be on its way post Labor Day. SKYSCRAPER was weeks away, while the return of Denzel as THE EQUALIZER may be too brutal for the pre-teen date crowds (it”s rated “R” for “really rough”). The superheroes have packed away their tights and capes for a few months. How about some spies, instead? Well, we won’t be seeing the “JB” duo, Bond and Bourne, anytime soon. So, blockbuster thriller fans will have to rely on another franchise, now in its 22nd year and its sixth installment. And all from a broadcast network TV show, which had a pretty good run of seven seasons, along with one of the greatest opening title music tracks ever (as instantly recognizable as Monty Norman’s 007 intro riff). Of course having one of the biggest movie stars of the last four decades helps. Multiplexes may need to install safety belts to their theatre seats as Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt to lead his IMF (Impossible Missions Force) in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-FALLOUT.

This mission begins with Hunt (Cruise) getting his latest assignment via the signature device (a compact reel to reel tape deck) from the TV show (the second best holdover from the series other than Lalo Schifrin’s iconic theme). If course it’s “tricked-out” with a video projector and a pop-up needle to grab a blood sample ID (ouch). Hunt learns of the underground terror organization known as “the Apostles” and its mysterious leader “John Lark” (a phony name for an individual whose face is unknown). They plan to change civilazation through chaos (“the bigger the war, the bigger the peace”) and are targeting three cities with great religious significance (naturally). Seems that three globes of plutonium have been smuggled out of the former Soviet Union, and Lark has plans for them as part of three portable explosive devices. Ethan accepts the mission (was there any doubt) and soon his team, Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg), are posing as buyers for the globes. Unfortunately an unknown third party disrupts the dark alley deal, and the globes are “in the wind”. After a nifty bit of deception pulled on a radical scientist, the IMF learns that the globes are in Paris, the property of a lauded philanthropist/secret arms provider known as the “White Widow” (Vanessa Kirby). But just as Ethan’s boss, former CIA head Hunley (Alec Baldwin), is about to send Hunt to a meeting with the Widow, the current CIA director Sloan (Angela Bassett) arrives on the tarmac with her number one operative August Walker (Henry Cavill). Sloan informs Hunley that the president is tired of the IMF’s “Halloween” games, and since they lost the globes, the CIA will now take over. After some fast negotiations, the operation becomes a joint mission between the two agencies with Hunt and Walker now a team (the two are most reluctant ). The men continue to butt heads during the Paris meet, even as they are suddenly joined by a former acquaintance of Hunt’s, MI-6 agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who we saw in the last film MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION. The quest for the deadly globes soon involves a former IMF foe, master terrorist Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) from MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL, and even Hunt’s former wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Perhaps the film’s subtitle should’ve been “Homecoming”.

The “golden boy”, who’s now 56, bounces back from his last two action flick disasters (AMERICAN MADE was a character “dramedy”, while THE MUMMY and the second Jack Reacher debacles stopped two franchises dead in their tracks), much as Ethan seems to bounces off any surface with the slightest of injuries (a limp that lasts seconds till he’s back to full flexibility). His ability to “sell” a stunt or “action gag” is still a marvel, but Cruise is no mere “mint” action figure toy. We get to see a bit more of what makes Hunt “tick”. Yes, he’s a confident, always charging (primo Cruise running meme material here) dynamo, but there’s an inner conflict. He doesn’t want to harm an innocent, or “civilian”, no matter the stakes . He’s paying a big price here for his humanity. His “missions” have cost him a new romance (with Ilsa or even the sultry Widow) and his former wife. Plus there’s the continued frustration of having his loyalties doubted via a really elaborate “frame”. Cruise shows us Hunt’s physicality and conflicted soul, which gives all the shooting, jumping, dangling, and punching an extra “oomph”. As for his teammates, Rhames also shows his warmer side, being more than just “the man in the van”. Unfortunately the gifted Pegg has less opportunity to showcase his comedic gifts in this outing, but he gets in on the stunts a bit more. Ferguson still generates some sparks with Cruise, as his female counterpart whose motives always seem questionable. She’s out for herself, despite the helping hand she offers. Baldwin’s an endearing “hard case”, who goes from strict taskmaster to supportive father-like mentor. Harris is pure dead-eyed evil, his words spitting from his beard like a snake’s venom-tipped tongue. Bassett is “cold as ice’ as the smooth, demanding rival. The great surprise here is Cavill, the man from Krypton who’s truly  playing against type as the arrogant, back-stabbing (literally) ruthless Walker, almost the “anti-Ethan”. With his glaring eyes and thick mustache (no CGI there), he’s the bullying jock as ultimate blunt force weapon. Even though he’s on “our side”, he’s just as dangerous as any of the thugs and assassins.

Writer/director Christopher McQuarrie is another returning IMF vet having helmed the last installment (he’s the first director of two MI flicks). He keeps things moving at a brisk pace, improving on his work in ROGUE NATION (though the series best remains MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL from INCREDIBLES 2’s Brad Bird), making sure the time between action set pieces is brief. This is one film that requires you to get your snacks (and do your bathroom business) before it begins, so as to not take a chance on missing some incredible stunt work. As for the script, it doesn’t feel as though the plot was shoe-horned into said stunt scenes, rather it has a more natural flow. But, as with many entries in this franchise, there are a few too many double, triple and quadruple crosses, stretching plausibility for the team to predict and prepare for any outcome (one character actually says something close to “Why must it always be so difficult?”). And as said earlier, we just have to believe that Cruise and company have endless stamina and Wolverine-like healing abilities (if the FAST AND THE FURIOUS series can ignore the laws of gravity, then…). After all, audiences return again and again to see what crazy bits of derring-do will try and top previous installments. McQuarrie and crew promise thrills and they certainly deliver, along with gorgeous exotic locations and impeccably tailored heroes and villains. Right now, the biggest “bang for your buck”, action-wise is the sixth, but far from final dangerous assignment, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT. Somewhere the spirits of those first film action stars, Fairbanks, Keaton, and Lloyd must be pleased to see that the “thrill’ spectacles live on.

4 Out of 5 Stars

Director Christopher McQuarrie And Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg Talk MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT

Director Christopher McQuarrie and stars Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames & Simon Pegg discuss the non-stop thrill ride of the upcoming MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT in the latest behind the scenes look at the movie.

The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

Experience MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT in theatres, RealD 3D and IMAX on July 27, 2018.

Get tickets here: https://www.missionimpossible.com/

Left to right: Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT

© 2018 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.

Watch Tom Cruise Do The Awesome HALO JUMP Stunt From 25,000 Feet For MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT

Some missions are not a choice. Watch the official featurette from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT starring Tom Cruise where he completes a High Altitude Low Open skydive jump from over 25,000 feet while the plane is travelling at 165mph.

It’s an insane stunt, but Cruise pulls it off – awesome!

The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise – “Top Gun,” “American Made,” “The Mummy”) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin – “Saturday Night Live,” “The Boss Baby,” “Beetlejuice,” Simon Pegg – “Star Trek,” “Ready Player One,” Ving Rhames – “Pulp Fiction,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson – “The Greatest Showman,” ”The Girl on the Train,” Michelle Monaghan – “The Bourne Supremacy,” “The Heartbreak Kid”) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong.

Henry Cavill (“Justice League,” “Man of Steel”), Angela Bassett (“Black Panther,” “American Horror Story”), and Vanessa Kirby (“Me Before You,” “The Crown”) also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie (“Jack Reacher”) returning to the helm.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT is in theatres July 27, 2018.

Visit the official site: facebook.com/MissionImpossibleMovie

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
© 2018 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.

See Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Angela Bassett And Alec Baldwin In Big Game Spot For MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT

Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in the thrilling new Big Game TV spot for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT.

The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT opens in theaters on July 27, 2018.

For more exclusives and behind the scenes content visit Tom Cruise’s Official Instagram.