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Found the first three films ones that had a lot to like (namely the action, the visuals, good casting on the whole and Philip Seymour Hoffmann's superb villain in the third) but also their faults (plot convolution in the first and third and the characters could have been written better in the second and third).
'Ghost Protocool' to me was a great film and the best of the series since the original, and actually better than it, mainly because the story even though somewhat familiar seemed more focused and far less convoluted. 'Rogue Nation' was on 'Ghost Protocool's' very high level. Sure, there was a little bit of familiarity and the basic structure was somewhat formulaic, but 'Rogue Nation' had enough freshness and so much fast and furious excitement and thrills it doesn't feel like an issue.
Contrary to the critical consensus that 'Mission Impossible-Fallout' is the best 'Mission Impossible' film, personally don't quite agree. It is definitely one of the best ones, and perhaps third place behind 'Ghost Protocool' and 'Rogue Nation' (my personal favourite).
It does have a little too much going on in places and things get too complicated in spots. Ving Rhames is underused and doesn't seem to be enjoying himself in a basically nothing role.
Some of the dialogue is also somewhat forced.
Visually, 'Mission Impossible-Fallout' is even slicker and even more stylish than 'Ghost Protocool' and 'Rogue Nation', surpassing the latter as perhaps the most audacious of all six films put together. The locations, from sinister drabness to stunningly colourful, are a feast for the eye and the effect dazzle. The music doesn't overbear the action and such at all while making a pulsating impact thanks to the thrillingly authentic sound.
The action is bigger, bolder and more dynamic than any other action scenes seen before in the previous four instalments. Many are breath-taking in their excitement and also nuances, hard to pick a favourite with such spectacular stunts and action scenes between the lightning storm, the motorcycle chase, the helicopter battle, the car chase, the London sprints and the toilet martial arts fight. Christopher McQuarrie's directing is again some of the best he's ever done, with a great sense of visual style and a real grasp of the storytelling.
'Mission Impossible-Fallout' script is generally sharp, knowingly sophisticated with the humour (not cheesy or out of place) and intrigue superbly balanced. The story, the series' heaviest, darkest and most ambitious, is told at a breakneck pace without being rushed and grips one right in and never lets go, with the backstories providing some depth. There is, like with 'Rogue Nation' an appealing light-heartedness, tongue-in-cheek and suspense of superior tension and elegance (as far as the 'Mission Impossible' films go).
Tom Cruise is very impressive, handling the stunts with effortless and enviable ease and acting with steely charisma. Rebecca Ferguson shows an even better and more confident knack for scene-stealing, with her in ersatz breath-of-fresh-air form. Sean Harris and Henry Cavill intimidate effectively, while Simon Pegg's comic relief in no way jars and is actually very funny and Jeremy Renner's presence is more than welcome. Vanessa Kirby, Alec Baldwin and Michelle Monaghan are also strong. It is a shame however that Ving Rhames is underused and lacking the charisma that he showed in 'Rogue Nation' despite being under-utilised in that too.
On the whole, very good, just not amazing. One of the better 'Mission Impossible' films though and among the better films of the year, if not among the very best. 8/10 Bethany Cox
