Joseph the Reviewer

★★★ ★ ★ Fallout was rewatch a mere two days ago and even after five years and multiple rewatches, that last few minutes with Ethan struggling to get the trigger before the countdown ends and the team are left to stab in the dark and I still sweat for the heroes. So many blockbusters these days, even in the surroundings of a cinema, have had me remain in a sedated state. If an action film, arguably the most enduring genre throughout the 21st century, can make me feel that still, that’s signs of a great director and personality implemented by Tom Cruise as the franchise officially hit cruise control! Maybe I’m a generic guy whose opinions blend into the crowds but Fallout is still my favourite. True, the best script is arguable Rogue Nation, but I love the emotional weight we feel with Ethan, now so far into his time as an agent as well as Cruise so far into his career as a super star. That feeling transcends into the team, where we feel that sense of age among them and yet that strong l...

★★★☆☆ Whilst it doesn’t have that unique flare that Brad Bird had, Rogue Nation gracefully welcomed its now longstanding director Christopher McQuarrie, who excels in the awe and grit of his action sequences and the excellence of his scripts. The climax allows for deception to overcome action, with Hunt being allowed to use his cunning as an agent and leader of a sturdy team to win the day.   From this, I love the loyalty they portray amongst the team and bring us the best line up, despite Jeremy Renner bowing out after this. Rebecca Ferguson is a fabulous addition, especially for me as I knew her from The White Queen miniseries. She’s an interesting character with constant twists and turns who has a Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne relationship. Alec Baldwin too makes for a good addition as the latest to hunt down… er Hunt. And Sean Harris… oh my lord, I love this guy, you all know that and I could listen to his voice all day. McQuarrie also established his foothold in the action to ha...

★★★ ★ ☆ Brad Bird is a fabulous director. His best films never let up, they are a constant electrical circuit. Visuals, pacing and script all stimulate with that energy. This is a very special entry in the MI-verse. Because we have Brad Bird in one outing and the story itself feels predominantly standalone. Every action set piece stands out and builds in quality; and even though the climax pails in comparison to Burj Kalifa climb that morphs into the sand storm race they are all an 8/10 at best.  It’s sad that Jeremy Renner and especially Paula Patton are not part of the team anymore because they leave superb impact on Ethan Hunt in terms from a chemistry standpoint and how connected they are to his backstory. Simon Pegg begins his run as a series regular and Cruise is as charismatic and physically dynamic as ever. The only thing dragging it down is it’s villain. The late Michael Nyqvist was stellar but the script for this film grants him very little work with. It’s one thing to ma...

★★★☆☆ There’s a reason why I call this entry ‘the one with Phillip Seymour Hoffman’. That is purely on the basis that the late great took a very flat villain and made him the most intense villain of the bunch. And the series doesn’t have the most glowing rogues gallery - in fact the following chapter would have its worst one - so Hoffman stands out even more in that regard. Whilst any actor of mild recognisability and certain performance type would have struggled to make this villain amidst a very so-so movie shine, Hoffman was a very special breed as he morphed into any and all shade of human. He could be intimidating, loveable, pitiful, frustrating; he could never be considered miscast in any role. Because of him, we get some of my favourite scenes in the series- from the chilling opening prologue to the interrogation on the plane that goes awry, and he does little to convey his menace.  That is a metaphor for the whole film. Whilst the plot and overall direction is fairly dull w...

★★☆ ☆☆ The black sheep of the family promised me a bonkers Freudian trip through Tom Cruise’s ego. I love the guy dearly, but there was a time when he was obsessed with giving himself all the attention in his action movies something that does not suit Ethan Hunt. Whilst he is the star, the series is driven by the dynamic of the team and how Hunt utilises their talents as well as company, something that is absent here.   Even then, at least I could have a laugh at the supposed excessive explosions, slow motion, operatic music and doves, all from the directorial perspective of John Woo. Yet, there wasn’t enough of that because the film is very slow for at least over an hour, focusing on a romance between Hunt and Thandie Newton, whom I’m just not a fan of as an actress. She always comes across as someone desperately trying to convince she’s whichever role she has played, irritatingly overstepping the line by a noticeable inch. To be fair, the acting surrounding her isn’t much better....

★ ★★★☆ Although seeped in first album syndrome, Tom Cruise’s first mission as Ethan Hunt is an expertly directed (as expected from Brian De Palmer) adventure that relies on the nuances of filmmaking than colossal pageant.   De Palma is one of the knights of the New Hollywood Order, so it’s no surprise he adds his pristine flavour of innovation to an action spy franchise. The opening sequence is brilliant in making viewers guess who’s meant to be the protagonist. The dialogue set pieces are terrific to exemplify tension, of which are some of the series’ best, such as Henry Czerny‘s vocals that feels like ceramic scrapping against concrete. He’s excellent as ever. And whilst this is far from the days of Christopher McQuarrie and Brad Bird, the descending sequence is heart stopper and one of the most iconic scenes of the series. It’s definitely the entry I’ve watched the least though I do own it. It has that black sheep quality in how the others emphasise the action from the second on...