‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ is Tom Cruise’s Best Film Yet

Manuel Rodriguez, Reporter

Tom Cruise is one of those few actors that can truthfully claim that they’ve retained their star-power over the decades; dozens of stars have faded out of the limelight: Drew Barrymore “E.T.,” Heather Langenkamp in “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” Jamie Lee Curtis “Halloween” and so forth.

Cruise, however; has managed to expand from being the 80’s-pretty-boy from “Top Gun,” to a Hollywood A-lister and action star. His recent film, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” is a prime example of that.

The film is the franchise’s most expensive and profitable film to date. With an initial budget of $250 million, which was later reduced to around $189 million – due to the insurance company paying for an ankle injury Cruise suffered from doing a death-defying stunt which paused production for eight weeks.

All that trouble was worth it as the movie opened to $61.5 million opening weekend, knocking out “Mamma Mia! 2” and “The Equalizer 2.”

The sixth installment of the espionage series offers an enticing and star-studded cast that includes newcomer Angela Bassett, who has a minor role in the film, yet clearly has more to offer for the future of the series and Henry Cavill,who plays a CIA agent who is sent to supervise Ethan Hunt after a mission goes awry.

There are several hints that Cavill is not who he appears to be, as he seems to rather be on the side of the action as opposed to be in. Still, his character is prominent from beginning to end and is one of the more interesting and well-written characters of the series. The film does an amazing job with Cavill’s character and it isn’t afraid to show off Cavill’s toughness, this can be seen during the choreographed-bathroom fight with Cruise and Cavill against an assailant. Cavill appears to be rising from the ashes of the terribly-reviewed “Justice League” as did Tom Cruise with last year’s dismal “The Mummy.”

The film’s strongest points is not in the stellar cast, but the jaw-dropping practical effects over CGI that gives the film a lot more thrilling realism compared to other big action movies with heavy CGI (think “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”). The sheer scope of the stunts is amazing and results in the most pretentious and daring movie of the series. The helicopter sequence is a brilliant example of this. The scene in question, which features Cruise hanging from a helicopter before climbing in and chasing the true villain in a truck. The whole sequence was filmed with GoPros inside and outside the helicopter and featured no CGI.

The sheer scope of this scene is reminiscent of films like “Mad Max: Fury Road,” in which all of the action sequences were filmed with practical effects, with CGI only serving a purpose to enhance the background and environment of the film. In the age where major studios go to CGI because they can simply animate a car crash or explosion rather than actual explosives, it’s great that films continue to use practical effects which can enhance the actor’s performance and the set pieces. The audience can appreciate the realism that Cruise brings to all his films.

MI6 is clearly a sign of Cruise’s return to form. Cruise also has shared some controversy due to being a 56-year-old playing roles typically more physically demanding and written for younger actors. Cruise, however; has proven more than enough times that he is dedicated and absolutely loves these types of movies, as he continues to stay fit and athletic, and still manages to pull off the same level stunts mixed with the variety and range of a veteran actor, which has been clearly displayed. It’s also the highest-rated film in the series yet, and in Cruise’s entire career. Beating classics like “Top Gun” and “Interview with a Vampire.” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is a must-see this year for any fan of action films. It is clear that Cruise has finally peaked his career, at 56 and accomplishing the majority of his stunts to give audiences the most authentic experience.