My Ranking of the Mission Impossible Movies

Shortly after writing my review for the latest Mission Impossible movie, a thought crossed my mind. There are now six movies in this franchise. Once more, I would argue that none of them are terrible, but some are undoubtedly better than others. Even the ones that are considered by many to be awful, understandably so, still have a unique kind of charm to them that make them fun, albeit in a particular way. Perhaps one of the things that have made them all so enduring is that, for the most part, each movie is self-contained. Any callbacks to previous installments are usually minor or are eloquently explained naturally. Once more, each subsequent film has made an effort to provide a sense of variety however possible. So, for your convenience, and for my own personal enjoyment (hopefully yours as well), Here is how I personally rank all of the Mission Impossible movies. 

In order from my most personal favorite to the least, here it is. 

#1

The fifth installment in the franchise, Rogue Nation is, at least to me, where the franchise indeed hit its peak. Not only does this film contain arguably the best action scenes in the entire series, but it also has the most amount of twists and turns it could possibly have without overcrowding the narrative. This movie has the perfect balance of story, plot, action, character growth, texture, and overall entertainment value that if the franchise had just stopped here, I would have been okay with that. Not to say that I didn't want to see more of these movies, only that this would have been the perfect place to stop if all parties involved had decided it was time to do so. Even better, you can go straight into this movie without having seen any of the previous installments. There are one or two small elements within the film that are carried over from previous movies, but the most that is required to appreciate them is a quick google search or a brief introduction from a friend who has seen the previous films. It is the one installment I can watch many times over and still enjoy the most. This is one mission you should definitely choose to accept. 

#2

The fourth installment in the franchise, it is not required viewing to fully appreciate Rogue Nation, but it does help. If only to further solidify the superior nature of Rogue Nation. This is where the franchise began its journey towards trying to tackle things differently. It had a lot of neat aspects going for it. Such as being the live-action directorial debut of legendary animation director Brad Bird, featuring arguably the most impressive stunt of Tom Cruise's career (scaling the Burj Khalifa), and introducing Jeremy Renner into the franchise. Add to that some good jokes, impressive action scenes, and mostly witty dialogue, and you've got a fun flick. What keeps this movie from being as high as Rogue Nation are, at least to me, easy to forgive and tolerable to overlook. Namely, the villain and his motivations are too one-dimensional and not very interesting, some of the jokes get a little repetitive, and its use of female characters is...passible at best and unintentionally sexist at worst. To use a video game analogy, this is a secret level you can play just before the big boss fight. It's not required, but it is a nice bonus which helps you further appreciate the upcoming awesomeness of Rogue Nation. 

#3 

The sixth and latest installment in the franchise, it is the cinematic equivalent of a marathon runner trying to beat his own record time by running a lot harder than he really should and not quite making it. And no, the irony of my using a marathon runner analogy to describe a Tom Cruise movie is not lost on me. LOL. While I still stand by my original assessment of this films overall quality, flawed but fun, what keeps me from ranking it higher on this list is the very nature of its flaws. For one thing, it has way too many sub-plots. There are too many twists and turns, callbacks to previous movies, and acts of misdirection, that it often at times feels less like a movie and more like that magic trick where you have to follow the ball amongst three identical cups only to be surprised at the balls disappearance or the sudden appearance of more balls. Moreover, this installment seems to have fallen victim to the Hollywood trend of trying to emulate Marvel Studios (something I forgot to mention in my review) where it attempts to create a more extensive level of continuity and connection to the previous films at the last minute, not unlike what Sony tried to do with their previous Bond film Spectre. Despite that, unlike the dull and tedious slog that was Spectre, Mission Impossible: Fallout is still an overall enjoyable experience with great action scenes, mostly smart writing, and textured sympathetic characters. It may try to do too much, but it still does so with confidence. It's a level of enthusiasm that you can't help but appreciate. 

#4 

Here's where it all began. The very first movie. I can still recall when this one hit theaters while I was still in elementary school. I also remember the action figures the film spawned, complete with a rubber mask accessory that never really fit. It is a fresh and fun classic that I still love to this day. The reason I place it as number four on this list is not out of a lack of enjoyment for the film, but rather for being a different kind of experience. The vast majority of these movies have been well-crafted action adventure rides with some smooth spy stuff for good measure. Which, given how well balanced it usually is, is just alright for me. The very first movie, however, is a different beast entirely. Directed by Brian De Palma, best known then for The Untouchables and Raising Cain, this movie is more like a psychological thriller that happens to feature spy-oriented action. Again, though both elements are well balanced, I don't watch the first movie for its action scenes (remarkable as they are), but rather for its chilling atmosphere, gorgeous cinematography, and strong acting performances from the whole cast, especially Jon Voight. Also, let's face it, you can't even think of the title without conjuring up the image of Tom Cruise dangling from the ceiling typing on a computer. For those days when I'm in the mood for a chilling experience, this is one of my favorite choices. 

#5 

The third movie in the franchise was the little engine that could if it was on cocaine. The feature film directorial debut of J.J. Abrams (who at the time was best known for his work on television with shows like Lost and Alias)  this movie was the cinematic equivalent of giving an already hyperactive child a ton of sugar and a video camera. It tries so hard to be edgy, slick, cool, and extreme, that what few moments there are to breath are spent trying despratly to remember what just happened a moment ago. When the camera isn't flying all around the action like a hummingbird, the editing assaults your brain with more quick cuts than a skateboarding video. And yet, what keeps this movie from getting ranked any lower on my list, and what ultimately makes this movie worth watching, at least once, is the incredible performance from the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman. His portrayal of the main villain in this movie is so fantastic, so unnerving, and so intense that I would put it on par with Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker. It's one of those performances you really don't expect given the actor's history, but you are so flabbergasted with once you see it. Mr. Hoffman left us far too soon, but he left behind a great legacy, and his role in this movie is a big part of that. Rest in peace, Mr. Hoffman. 

#6 

The second, and by far, the most ridiculous installment in the franchise. I had just started high school when this movie hit theaters. So I was in the right age group this movie was laser targeted for, and even though my young adolescent mind still got a hell of a ride out of the dumb action, leather jackets & sunglasses, and pretty girls, I still didn't really understand what this movie was going for. The film was directed by John Woo, a Chinese action director whose style can best be described as what you would get if Michael Bay and Terrance Malick had a love child. Explosions, slow motion, overly glamorous lighting, sexual innuendos, over-the-top action set pieces, and of course, White Dove symbolism. Because it's not a John Woo movie if it doesn't have any White Doves flying in at just the right moment. While this is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a good movie, it is so unbelievably silly, so over-the-top, so unexplainably awesome, it actually becomes one of those "so bad it's good" movies. It's one of those movies where you can either turn your brain off entirely, or laugh at how utterly rediculious it is. And for that, it's not really awful, so much as it is just plain silly. If you need a good laugh or need to pick something for "Bad Movie" night, with a fun drinking game attached to it, then this is the mission to choose. Other than that, There's really no other reason to watch this garbage. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you for reading. 

Mission Impossible: Fallout - Flawed but fun

Preface: 

One of the things that can make film criticism challenging is the separation of artist and person: distinguishing and appraising the quality of the work created by an artist despite said artist being a less-than-stellar human being. A prime example of this phenomenon would be H.P. Lovecraft. His stories have been lauded by many as some of the best horror stories ever written, yet we seem to overlook the fact that Lovecraft himself was a vicious anti-semite. The same thing can be said about Tom Cruise: a Hollywood legend with an incredible commitment to quality, artistic integrity, and genuine entertainment value, who also has an over-inflated ego and is likely a dangerous and unstable mental case. The fact that he is a Scientologist should speak for itself. So, are we all terrible people for enjoying the works created by people of questionable morality? Well, in my opinion, no. Art is, above all else, a human creation. As such, when the art itself is of high enough quality to enthrall you, enrich your life, or even make you cry, whoever was behind the creation of the art is irrelevant. Let the art speak for itself! Because it has a voice of its own that deserves to be heard, and should not be drowned out by the sins of its creator.

Thank you.

And now, the actual review:

The Mission: Impossible franchise has gone through a lot of evolution over the years. Starting out as a television series from the 1960s it didn't get a full-blown movie adaptation until 1996. Since then, Tom Cruise has been pretty much managing the entire franchise with each subsequent film getting progressively better. Due in no small part to the efforts of Tom Cruise himself and his commitment to high entertainment value at any cost. The last movie from 2015, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, was arguably the peak of the franchise, where it hit the best possible level of quality it could have reached. Thereby causing this brand new entry, Mission Impossible: Fallout, to try and one-up its own game yet again. And while it tries valiantly to do so, it doesn't really hit the mark, but it is still very entertaining in its own way.

Taking place a few years after the previous film, the story follows IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) on a special mission to recover three cases of stolen plutonium before they can be made into bombs causing world devastation. However, Hunt's reputation of going rogue and defying his superiors, albeit in the name of the greater good, has raised suspicion upon him and his convictions. Because of this, the CIA has decided to step in and insist that Hunt must be shadowed by their own agent August Walker (Henry Cavill), who is authorized to take down Hunt should he decide to try and go rogue again. Now, Hunt must work his way through even more challenges to save the world yet again.

What I just described is really just the main plot of the movie. In actuality, there is a lot more going on. This movie contains many additional b-stories, subplots, and sideways twists that, while they are mostly well organized, make the film feel overly crowded. In addition to the main plot, there is a sub-story about Ethan Hunt's relationship with his estranged wife (whom we haven't seen since the third movie and was only briefly mentioned in the fourth). There's another subplot about one of the characters from the previous movie dealing with her own baggage in relation to Ethan. There may be a few too many scenes involving the rubber mask reveal which, admittedly, the series is known for. And, much to my disappointment, there is no Jeremy Renner. Who was, in my opinion, the best addition to the Mission: Impossible family. If they make another movie they would do well to bring him back. I don't care how much you have to pay him, he is worth every cent.

There is also the issue with Henry Cavill. Who I am starting to suspect is really just a good looking guy who can't actually act. Granted, he hasn't really had too many roles that would allow him the freedom to show off his chops, but here, he's just too one-note. He comes off less like a CIA tough guy and more like a frat boy trying to act more adult than he really is. If there is any genuine acting talent in Mr. Cavill, I have yet to see it. He's tollerable in this movie mostly thanks to the rest of the supporting cast who are all doing their parts admerably.

Even so, despite these flaws, the movie is still enjoyable and entertaining. As you might expect from a Tom Cruise helmed action movie, he does the vast majority, if not all, of his own fighting and stunts. Even better, all of the really "are you kidding me" sequences were filmed in real time, and little to no digital effects were used. This includes an actual HALO jump and a Helecopter dog fight. It's the kind of thing that fewer movies are doing these days which makes it all the more welcome.

The film was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who previously made Jack Reacher and the previous Mission Impossible movie, and also wrote The Usual Suspects. McQuarrie has indeed demonstrated his talent as an action director, both with his previous films and with this new one. He has openly stated his disdain for gimmicks like shaky cam and rack zooms, saying how they only serve to hide a lack of energy and artistic commitment. Also, his writing is just genuinely fun. His dialogue is witty, his understanding of characters is spot on, and his ability to juggle multiple twists may not be perfect, but it is still mostly adequate. I look forward to this mans next film whatever it may be.

While I would not go so far as to call this latest installment my new favorite, I still had a good time. It knows what the audience wants and delivers it with flair. If you're looking for a crazy fun time at the movies, this is a good choice. Though, personally, I would still recommend you see Equalizer 2 first.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.

Is it worth seeing in theaters?
Yes.

Why?
Despite its flaws, it still manages to deliver the goods and keep you engaged all throughout. Choose to accept this mission.

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you for reading.

The Equalizer 2 - Better than the first one

For those of you who don't know or need a quick refresher, The Equalizer was an action-oriented TV show from the 1980s that ran for four seasons. It started the late Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent turned private detective who found a new purpose in helping the disenfranchised. Then, in 2014, Sony Pictures released an updated version of the idea starring Denzel Washington as McCall and placed under the direction of Antoine Fuqua, late of Tears of the Sun and Shooter. It was a decent action film with Denzel delivering his usual professional quality of screen presence and served as a significant step forward for encouraging studios to make more effort to cast non-white actors in lead action roles. What kept the first movie from being truly and universally great, at least to me, was the ambient amount of gratuitous violence. It wasn't so much the style I had a problem with, but rather the overabundance of it. The majority of the first films running time was spent showcasing how many ways McCall could rip up a human body. Because of this, the film, though still entertaining in its wan way, didn't have much else going for it, and thus faded away into obscurity. Now, four years later, Sony has hit the Summer Blockbuster season with a sequel. Which, to my delightful surprise, is actually better than the first one. 

Taking place a few years after the first film the story once again follows McCall (Denzel Washington) living his life juggling between his day job, reading his books, and secretly helping those in need just because he can, and because it's the right thing to do. Think of him as having Batman's skill and talent but with Captain America's convictions. Anyway, all seems well & good until someone murders McCall's good friend and former agency handler Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo). Seeing justice, McCall takes it upon himself to solve her murder and take down the perpetrators. However, his quest will lead him down a darker path then he could have ever anticipated, which will cause him to question his own convictions and his friendships. 

What I like best about this movie is that, despite being a sequel, it doesn't really feel like one. The story and characters are presented in such a way that it could very well be its own good movie. While it does have the right amount of action and violence, not only is there significantly less of it here when compared to the first film, but it spends so much more time developing the characters and setting up the steaks, that once the action starts, it becomes more engaging. You learn more about McCall as a character as well as the people he eventually goes up against, creating a narrative that is both clever and insightful. You could argue that this started out as an original script and was reworked into a sequel for Sony's property merely to make the film more marketable. Normally I would scoff at that notion, but if it means getting scripts as good as this one, then I'm all for it. 

As expected, Denzel Washington carries the movie. His cool and humble deminer makes every enemy take down so much more enthralling. From the first few minutes you see him on screen, you know exactly what kind of a guy he is, what he's willing to do, and how far he's ready to go. No deed is too risky or too challenging. 

While I would not go so far as to declare this the best film of the year, I had a great time watching it, and I would be entirely down for seeing more installments of this franchise. Provided that both Denzel and director Antone Fuqua were up for making them. 

Is this movie worth seeing? 

Yes. 

Is it worth seeing in theaters? 

Yes. 

Why? 

It's an entertaining and at times thought-provoking heck of a good time at the movies. A rare achievement for a sequel. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, Thank you for reading.