Mission Impossible: Fallout
– 10
Ethan Hunt allows the cameras to follow him and his force for this 6th
installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, this one subtitled “Fallout.” His motivation is clear. He must find a bad guy, keep another bad guy
whom he captured on his last Mission 3 years ago in handcuffs, save the world
from nuclear explosions, and most importantly save those he cares about. What has he been doing since the last
mission? Apparently, working out.
So, Ethan Hunt’s motivation is clear. What I can’t figure out is what motivates Tom
Cruise. His desire to put his limbs at
risk in stunts involving planes, trains, automobiles, motorcycles, helicopters,
buildings, rocks, motorboats, big trucks, little trucks, skydiving, jumping,
leaping, climbing, swimming, dangling and even tussling in bathrooms, is nerve-wracking. All this at the age of 56. And it’s
all done so convincingly that the most unbelievable part of this movie is a 3-minute
sprint that he does, chasing a baddie.
It’s a sprint that couldn’t be done by a 20 year old, not even Usain
Bolt, or Ethan Hunt training for 3 years with Usain Bolt, not unless there’s
been some amazing advances in lung transplants.
Most 56 year olds get winded in a motivated sprint to the bathroom, if
you know what I mean, and I think you do.
But, we know that every Tom Cruise movie must include a running scene,
although it does appear that the previously-required shirtless scene has finally
bowed to father time.
Fallout is superbly scripted and executed. It’s like a roller coaster ride where you keep thinking “surely that was the biggest incline.” But it’s not. Here’s another one. It all combines to set a new standard for the action movie. Sure, there’s a better one around the corner. But for now, let’s just say that the Mission Impossible series has caught and passed James Bond. Not in quantity. But in thrills. Certainly Tom and Ethan can’t keep this up much longer. I kind of hope they quit while they’re ahead – and this movie puts them way ahead. It’s terrific. Just choose to accept it.
Fallout is superbly scripted and executed. It’s like a roller coaster ride where you keep thinking “surely that was the biggest incline.” But it’s not. Here’s another one. It all combines to set a new standard for the action movie. Sure, there’s a better one around the corner. But for now, let’s just say that the Mission Impossible series has caught and passed James Bond. Not in quantity. But in thrills. Certainly Tom and Ethan can’t keep this up much longer. I kind of hope they quit while they’re ahead – and this movie puts them way ahead. It’s terrific. Just choose to accept it.
Three Identical Strangers – 10
This a documentary that I can’t tell you much about, because I don’t want to unravel its secrets. It’s the true story of triplets separated at birth and adopted by 3 very different families. The three brothers had no clue about their beginnings. But, they fatefully and accidently find each other and the story is just beginning. You won’t believe it, and as the story unwinds you will be stunned. I go to a lot of movies, and I often sit and watch the credits as the audience jumps up and leaves. This is the only movie I’ve ever been to, where the entire audience just sat there, through the credits, stunned. Nobody moved.
This a documentary that I can’t tell you much about, because I don’t want to unravel its secrets. It’s the true story of triplets separated at birth and adopted by 3 very different families. The three brothers had no clue about their beginnings. But, they fatefully and accidently find each other and the story is just beginning. You won’t believe it, and as the story unwinds you will be stunned. I go to a lot of movies, and I often sit and watch the credits as the audience jumps up and leaves. This is the only movie I’ve ever been to, where the entire audience just sat there, through the credits, stunned. Nobody moved.
I’m guessing you won’t move either. It will take a moment to digest. Simply amazing – this is a documentary masterpiece.
