I’ll tell you right now…I absolutely hate the idea of reserved seating. It was ultimately what had me sitting at the very front row for my own viewing of Mission: Impossible – Fallout and it was quite unpleasant. At the very least though I was able to extrapolate whatever amount of enjoyment I could get out of director Christopher McQuarrie‘s latest contribution to the spy saga which, needless to say, has already demanded McQuarrie’s return for a third time since helming Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
Indeed, there’s no question that actor Tom Cruise left virtually no stone unturned in making sure viewers got their money’s worth, and he’s got a healed ankle to prove it, among other things. Packed with epic sets and tremendous scope and scale as essential for a film of this caliber, Mission: Impossible has some of the best Hollywood action most movies will ever see; I’ve opined a bit with friends about this film, including one screenwriter friend who believes J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible 3 is still the best of the franchise. From a story aspect, I can definitely concur from the standpoint of seeing our hero, Ethan Hunt, strained from watching people he cares about the most die due to the imminent danger his work at the IMF brings about.
That universal caring hasn’t waned in the least as the stakes are eventually raised in the explosive and high-flying third act with our team of heroes. This inevitably includes the return of Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust from Rogue Nation who has become nothing short of not just a key player in the MI universe, but a core factor in the the delivery of action sequences and how apt the actress has proven herself between both films thus far. Ferguson is a total Alpha female in my book and I even hope she lands the part in Millenium’s Red Sonja remake – unless anyone else has a pick of their own.
McQuarrie’s approach to the genre here also brings with it a clear, cut and precise understanding of the mechanics of how to do action. For years going from the early two-thousandsies studios had been insufferably choosing to shake the camerawork and combine it with frenetic and haphazard editing, a process that moviegoers, in whatever size and part, have finally begun to see through with more and more stunt and second unit professionals taking the mantle for action productions of late to show the suits how it’s done. Ironically and not for nothing either, as with some filmmakers who aren’t as recognized as they should be, McQuarrie, in the course of getting it right, proves that it’s possible to bring solid action without the frills to a big scale Hollywood feature, and that it can reap the returns tenfold.
I will say though that Fallout isn’t the best of the franchise – I personally think McQuarrie raised the bar with Rogue Nation and ultimately had to do his best to surpass it. He does so on a scale of four-and-a-half stars next to Rogue Nation’s five in my book, and thanks in large part to a formidable villain in a mustache-infused Henry Cavill who has rightly earned his favor with fans due in part to his signature arm-loading gag as seen in the brutal and superbly-assembled bathroom fight with Cruise opposite action actor Liang Yang.
Paramount Home Media is more than happy to bring this gem to moviegoers for its Digital release on November 20, followed by its 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD releases December 4 with a 6-disc pack included. The film also joins up once more with Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and undoubtedly, if you’re like me, at least you feel relieved with not having to force your neck into a grinding pain to enjoy two hours of thrills only to have to see a chiropractor after if it ever comes to that.
Regal Cinemas, I’m talking to you.
Produced by Tom Cruise and Bad Robot, Paramount Pictures and Skydance present MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—FALLOUT, one of the best reviewed movies of the year, thrilling critics and audiences alike and boasting a 97% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now fans can go deeper into the Mission with over an hour of high-octane, behind-the-scenes footage highlighting the incredible stunts, heart-pounding action and exotic locations on Digital*, a 3-disc 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack or a 3-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack.
Drop from the sky, race through Paris, and cling to a cliff with Ethan Hunt as the cast and crew reveal the incredible work that went into creating the breathtaking action. Plus, check out deleted scenes, storyboards, multiple commentaries, and much more. The 4K Ultra HD disc and 4K Ultra HD Digital release** feature Dolby Vision™, which brings entertainment to life through ultra-vivid picture quality with spectacular colors, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. The film also boasts a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead***. In addition, both the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include access to a Digital copy of the film.
On a dangerous assignment to recover stolen plutonium, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) chooses to save his friends over the mission, allowing it to fall into the hands of a deadly network of highly skilled operatives intent on destroying civilization. Now, with the world at risk, Ethan and his IMF team (Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson) are forced to work with a hard-hitting CIA agent (Henry Cavill) as they race against time to stop the nuclear threat. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—FALLOUT also stars Sean Harris, Angela Bassett, Michelle Monaghan and Alec Baldwin.
BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD COMBO, BLU-RAY COMBO & DIGITAL*
Behind the Fallout
Light the Fuse
Top of the World
The Big Swing: Deleted Scene Breakdown
Rendezvous in Paris
The Fall
The Hunt is On
Cliffside Clash
Deleted Scenes Montage with Optional Commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie and editor Eddie Hamilton
Foot Chase Musical Breakdown
The Ultimate Mission
Storyboards
Theatrical Trailer
Commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise
Commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie and editor Eddie Hamilton
Commentary by composer Lorne Balfe
Isolated Score Track
The MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—FALLOUT DVD includes the feature film in standard definition.PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE Present A TOM CRUISE / BAD ROBOT Production
TOM CRUISE “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT” HENRY CAVILL VING RHAMES SIMON PEGG
REBECCA FERGUSON SEAN HARRIS ANGELA BASSETT with MICHELLE MONAGHAN and ALEC BALDWIN
Music by LORNE BALFE Co-Producer TOMMY GORMLEY
Costume Designer JEFFREY KURLAND Film Editor EDDIE HAMILTON, ACE
Production Designer PETER WENHAM Director of Photography ROB HARDY, BSC
Executive Producers DAVID ELLISON DANA GOLDBERG DON GRANGER
Produced by TOM CRUISE CHRISTOPHER McQUARRIE JAKE MYERS J.J. ABRAMS
Based on the Television Series Created by BRUCE GELLER
Written and Directed by CHRISTOPHER McQUARRIEMISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—FALLOUT
Street Date:
November 20, 2018 (Digital)
December 4, 2018 (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, 6-Movie Collection)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for violence and intense sequences of action, and for brief strong language
Canadian Rating: PG, violence, coarse language*Availability of bonus content varies by digital retailer
**4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are available at select digital retailers
*** To experience Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos at home, compatible devices are required
