Mission: Impossible - films and tv series

1316317318319320322»

Comments

  • Posts: 678
    Finally saw Final Reckoning and I have to agree that it’s a step down from previous entries. Dead Reckoning was much better! The first half is too much exposition and the whole doomsday thing feels more Terminator than M:I, with the whole world burning up. Also the endless contrivances and “what more could possibly go wrong?” scenarios really had me rolling my eyes. I’m surprised with all the mayhem in the sunk submarine and all the things working against Ethan they didn’t also throw in some underwater snakes or sharks lol to create more obstacles for him. They really went overboard with all that stuff in this film. That said, I’m not gonna say I didn’t enjoy my theater experience. The tension inside the submarine and especially the eye-popping biplane scene alone is worth the price of admission. Overall still a better viewing experience than No Time to Die was. The biplane stunt is probably my second favorite set piece of the entire franchise, second only to the helicopter vs helicopter finale in Fallout.

    If I were to rank these:

    1. Fallout
    2. Dead Reckoning
    3. Rogue Nation
    4. Ghost Protocol
    5. Final Reckoning
    6. M:I
    7. M:I-2
    8. M:I-III
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,820
    007HallY wrote: »
    I think it’s relevant to MI as a franchise rather than specifically a wider movie going thing. Its ceiling could only go so high, and the excitement just wasn’t there for this one (it was always going to struggle being part 2 to a film that underperformed). The fanbase for these films are too soft and not all will go to see them in the cinema. I’m actually surprised this one didn’t do better honestly.

    The audience for MI also now skews pretty old. When adjusting for inflation, MI2 is highest grosser, with over a billion! And that actually makes a lot of sense, as I was 13 back then and many kids my age were hyped for that film. I have a hard time imagining kids being as excited for MI8.

    This is why I think returning as a TV show and going back to basics makes the most sense at this point. The audience is becoming niche. Unless they can get Zendaya to become a stuntwoman.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,856
    Finally saw Final Reckoning and I have to agree that it’s a step down from previous entries. Dead Reckoning was much better! The first half is too much exposition and the whole doomsday thing feels more Terminator than M:I, with the whole world burning up. Also the endless contrivances and “what more could possibly go wrong?” scenarios really had me rolling my eyes. I’m surprised with all the mayhem in the sunk submarine and all the things working against Ethan they didn’t also throw in some underwater snakes or sharks lol to create more obstacles for him. They really went overboard with all that stuff in this film. That said, I’m not gonna say I didn’t enjoy my theater experience. The tension inside the submarine and especially the eye-popping biplane scene alone is worth the price of admission. Overall still a better viewing experience than No Time to Die was. The biplane stunt is probably my second favorite set piece of the entire franchise, second only to the helicopter vs helicopter finale in Fallout.

    If I were to rank these:

    1. Fallout
    2. Dead Reckoning
    3. Rogue Nation
    4. Ghost Protocol
    5. Final Reckoning
    6. M:I
    7. M:I-2
    8. M:I-III

    Saw it yesterday, as I wanted to see it on the big screen after missing out on dead reckoning in cinemas.
    It is an amazing film, with all those stunts, and made so well. But I do appreciate a bit of a (logical) story as well, and putting so many stunts in does detract of them a bit.
    Having said that, the biplane chase is perhaps the best stunt ever done. It is increadable and, as you said, that one only was worth the ticket. Ten times.
    007HallY wrote: »
    I think it’s relevant to MI as a franchise rather than specifically a wider movie going thing. Its ceiling could only go so high, and the excitement just wasn’t there for this one (it was always going to struggle being part 2 to a film that underperformed). The fanbase for these films are too soft and not all will go to see them in the cinema. I’m actually surprised this one didn’t do better honestly.

    The audience for MI also now skews pretty old. When adjusting for inflation, MI2 is highest grosser, with over a billion! And that actually makes a lot of sense, as I was 13 back then and many kids my age were hyped for that film. I have a hard time imagining kids being as excited for MI8.

    This is why I think returning as a TV show and going back to basics makes the most sense at this point. The audience is becoming niche. Unless they can get Zendaya to become a stuntwoman.

    I think the main problem is that us, the now perhaps not-so-young, still go to the names that we know from before, but with all the cgi stuff and miniseries on streaming, people just can't be bothered to go to the cinema. I hardly know what's playing and have been let down by un-originality in CGI so many times, it's really not worth keeping track. And that is what's killing cinema.

    Look at what Disney did to Snow White. Or the discussions about Superman. It's the use of old icons for... what? Regurgitation in a way half the people won't go and watch it anyway?

    They forgot what their industry was about: originality, and entertainment. At least Cruise is giving us entertainment.
  • edited July 10 Posts: 5,641
    007HallY wrote: »
    I think it’s relevant to MI as a franchise rather than specifically a wider movie going thing. Its ceiling could only go so high, and the excitement just wasn’t there for this one (it was always going to struggle being part 2 to a film that underperformed). The fanbase for these films are too soft and not all will go to see them in the cinema. I’m actually surprised this one didn’t do better honestly.

    The audience for MI also now skews pretty old. When adjusting for inflation, MI2 is highest grosser, with over a billion! And that actually makes a lot of sense, as I was 13 back then and many kids my age were hyped for that film. I have a hard time imagining kids being as excited for MI8.

    This is why I think returning as a TV show and going back to basics makes the most sense at this point. The audience is becoming niche. Unless they can get Zendaya to become a stuntwoman.

    Oh yes. For all the complaints about Bond having an audience that skewed older in the later Craig films, it has nothing on this film series. In my experience (for what it's worth) the people I know who watch it are 40+ and seem slightly disgruntled with the newer Bond films. It's not a good audience. That crowd won't necessarily see these films in the cinema, and aren't that invested in the franchise anyway. The audience for this franchise is much too 'soft'. Said it two years ago and I maintained that thought. Its ceiling only goes so high. Honestly, this latest film did worse than even my expectations financially! Thought it'd do at least 600 million.

    It's done well, don't get me wrong. It's not a flop. I've enjoyed some of these films too. But no, the excitement isn't there for this franchise. It isn't a long term thing. Essentially it's not James Bond!
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,820
    I also think Cruise just isn’t as big of a draw as many thought. MAVERICK came at the perfect climate, and it helps it was a much better film than the two films that came after.
  • Posts: 2,255
    Cruise is over 60, it's a miracle he's still starring in these movies. Sean Connery at least teamed up with younger actors.

    His career needs a change. He can't always pretend he's 40.
  • edited July 11 Posts: 5,641
    I also think Cruise just isn’t as big of a draw as many thought. MAVERICK came at the perfect climate, and it helps it was a much better film than the two films that came after.

    Any actor can have their flops or hits. I agree, different films that came along at different times. It’s a bit like the predictions that Fall Guy was going to be a smash hit because Gosling had come off of Barbie. It just doesn’t work like that.
    Cruise is over 60, it's a miracle he's still starring in these movies. Sean Connery at least teamed up with younger actors.

    His career needs a change. He can't always pretend he's 40.

    Yes, I’d like to see Cruise do something a bit different going forward too.
  • Posts: 2,309
    Cruise is over 60, it's a miracle he's still starring in these movies. Sean Connery at least teamed up with younger actors.

    His career needs a change. He can't always pretend he's 40.

    Cruise looks his age in TFR. He managed to get away with it in DRP1 and TG Maverick, but not anymore.

    I would like to see him go back to more traditional dramatic "acting" roles, not that he isnt acting in MI or TGM, but they are very much stunt/action focused.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,820
    It would be cool to see Cruise play more of the veteran/mentor role like Connery banked on starting with THE UNTOUCHABLES. He was essentially in that part already in MAVERICK, only he was still the star.

    Hell, have him in a sequel to THE COLOR OF MONEY. Vincent in a similar role to Paul Newman, finding a diamond in the rough upcoming film star.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 18,622
    I don’t think that really works for him to be honest, although he’s older he’s still a leading man, not an elder statesman type.
  • edited July 11 Posts: 5,641
    I think he's surprisingly good at playing villains or even anti hero types. I actually think he's a lot more interesting in films like Collateral, Interview With A Vampire, Magnolia, and yes, even Tropic Thunder. I think it's because he has that slightly creepiness about him anyway. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion but I've never actually found him believable as an Ethan Hunt or Jack Reacher type. When he was younger he could lean into arrogance and get away with some of those characters I guess, but it's not quite the case now.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,390
    I want to see Cruise do more comedic roles. I just recently rewatched Tropic Thunder and forgot just how hilarious he was as Les Grossman.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 18,622
    According to McQ, apparently they're still talking about a Grossman movie.
  • edited July 12 Posts: 570
    Cruise is over 60, it's a miracle he's still starring in these movies. Sean Connery at least teamed up with younger actors.

    His career needs a change. He can't always pretend he's 40.

    Cruise turned 63 this month.

    There's no incentive for Gen Z or Gen A (or whatever they call it, Gen TikTok 🤭) to relate to a 60 plus year old star. Same is true of F1 with a 61 year old Brad Pitt. It's too early to tell if F1 will break even/make profit. It opened to decent box office.

    Cruise may have another hit with the rumoured Top Gun 3 but it's a bit like scraping the rehash barrel. I know James Bond is up to 25 so some people may argue "that's rehash x 25!" but hey, Bond is Bond. 😉





  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,856
    bondywondy wrote: »
    Cruise is over 60, it's a miracle he's still starring in these movies. Sean Connery at least teamed up with younger actors.

    His career needs a change. He can't always pretend he's 40.

    Cruise turned 63 this month.

    There's no incentive for Gen Z or Gen A (or whatever they call it, Gen TikTok 🤭) to relate to a 60 plus year old star. Same is true of F1 with a 61 year old Brad Pitt. It's too early to tell if F1 will break even/make profit. It opened to decent box office.

    Cruise may have another hit with the rumoured Top Gun 3 but it's a bit like scraping the rehash barrel. I know James Bond is up to 25 so some people may argue "that's rehash x 25!" but hey, Bond is Bond. 😉





    And Bond has been reinvented countless times. With new actors. Cruise IS Ethan Hunt for the general (current) public. They could go with a younger actor, but try and find one willing to do what Cruise has done. And insurance companies to cover it, of course.

    Or wait ten years and MI can be started again. But Cruise is done, he said so himself
  • Posts: 6,960
    F1, about an almost 60 year old, will make more money than most. And people are loving it.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 5,111
    mtm wrote: »
    According to McQ, apparently they're still talking about a Grossman movie.

    I'd like Cruise to move away from McQ for awhile. Sincerely from a MI standpoint. It's like Bond scripts with Purvis and Wade, at this point. I think we will see Cruise as Ethan Hunt again, honestly.
  • Posts: 6,960
    Cruise must reunite with the big boys again. Make a Scorsese film, a Fincher one, a Paul Thomas Anderson one, something like that. One in which he does not run!
  • Posts: 1,970
    Benny wrote: »
    As the film hasn't been released, worldwide yet I'll post the following as a spoiler.
    If you weren't a fan of Dead Reckoning, then I'm not sure you'll be a fan of The Final Reckoning. It's certainly not a bad film at all. The biggest problem it has, is the films length. You could cut 40-50 minutes from the run time, and I don't think it would make any difference. Some scenes go on for way longer than needed, and the scene itself could easily be shortened or eliminated altogether.
    A character reveal takes too long, with no real payoff.
    The biggest thing I took away from it, was how action light it was. That's not to say there aren't action scenes. But there are only two action set pieces of note. I'll come back to that later.
    The film feels quite closely shot, in one of the fight scenes Ethan is taking on a couple of brutes, but it's shot very close and at times from the perspective of another character.
    In older films in the series, these were shot so we could see Tom Cruise doing all the stunts and showing how incredibly fit he is. Don't get me wrong, Cruise is still awesome in the role. But it was a little thing I noted as being not quite up to the standards that we might be used to.
    Even though it can get quite convoluted at times, the story does at least make sense. There's a reason for what we're seeing. I think the biggest problem the film has, as I've said before is that it takes a longtime to get to that reason.
    The cast as before are all fine, with a couple of new characters brought in.
    The best inclusion for me being the return of William Donloe from the first movie. He's very cleverly brought back into the mix and does serve a purpose.
    The two action scenes of the film are the underwater scene where Ethan retrieves something from the sunken submarine established in DR. It's quite long and although exciting it didn't really work for me. It's just Ethan alone in a submarine facing hurdles of debris falling around and on him. The end of this sequence left me scratching my head.
    It's all set within the film beforehand what he intends to do, but after this part of the mission has been completed, I was left scratching my head as to what happened.
    The second and by far the better action scene is the aerial scenes with the biplanes.
    This sequence is truly jaw dropping. There were a couple of times I let out a 'F*ck me! in the cinema. I'd have to say it's the most amazing aerial action committed to celluloid.
    Cruise deserves full credit here, as it's clearly him performing these insane stunts. This 20 minute set piece is worth the admission alone. But to be fair, the film as a whole is worth the admission price. On reflection it's probably more akin to the first movie in a lot of ways than to the films like GP, RN and Fallout.
    I think this film could be quite divisive with the fans.

    Finally saw the film yesterday and saved these posts to read until after I'd actually seen it to avoid spoilers, and this review, ironically, captured about exactly the same things I thought about it. I do look forward to watching it again to see how my reaction is in a more isolated environment. My screening included a group of seniors who happened to be in my row and they laughed loudly at every little moment of amusement or gasped and talked a fair bit during certain scenes that distracted a lot. That aside, this was one of the loudest films I've ever experienced.

    Still, an underwhelming film like this is time better spent than whatever something like Netflix is offering up. I only get to a movie or 2 a year and 3 of the last 4 I've seen were Cruise movies: Maverick and the last 2 MIs.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,820
    Univex wrote: »
    Cruise must reunite with the big boys again. Make a Scorsese film, a Fincher one, a Paul Thomas Anderson one, something like that. One in which he does not run!

    1000%. There used to be a time when Cruise was able to alternate between summer blockbuster fare and prestigious films. He literally shot MAGNOLIA and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 back to back, for example. Would be nice to see him get back to work with some of those he collaborated in the past like Scorsese, Spielberg, and PTA, even newer filmmakers he hadn’t collaborated with like Coogler or the Safdie brothers.
  • Posts: 6,960
    Univex wrote: »
    Cruise must reunite with the big boys again. Make a Scorsese film, a Fincher one, a Paul Thomas Anderson one, something like that. One in which he does not run!

    1000%. There used to be a time when Cruise was able to alternate between summer blockbuster fare and prestigious films. He literally shot MAGNOLIA and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 back to back, for example. Would be nice to see him get back to work with some of those he collaborated in the past like Scorsese, Spielberg, and PTA, even newer filmmakers he hadn’t collaborated with like Coogler or the Safdie brothers.

    Exactly! And for that we need the comeback of good scripts. Plenty of fine books to adapt out there too. Just look at what they did with “Queer”. Many renowned authors have brilliant novels yet to be put to screen. We need to comeback to good writing. Bold and intelligent. Humane and moving. Stuff that says stuff about what we want for times to come, not just about the global misery we’re in. Start from there and then give us glimpses of hope. Let’s go back to a time when we had “Angels in America” or “Magnolia”.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited July 25 Posts: 18,622
    I like to listen to the Light The Fuse podcast, which has had a very impressive array of interviews with people who have made and starred in the films over the years, but surprisingly it's put out its final edition today, with mention of a contractual issue. I don't know if that's any sign of Paramount's attitude to MI or just a more specific issue with the podcast.

    This episode is with Eddie Hamilton the editor, and it's interesting to hear the editor and, in other interviews, McQ the director of a big blockbuster film, both acknowledge that the film opens too slowly and is too long, while that film is still in cinemas.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,311
    I watched a very interesting deep dive with Hamilton which revealed a lot about how the film evolved. One of the most mental things he revealed was Hayley Atwell finding out she was pregnant when they shot her first bits for The Final Reckoning way back when they were shooting the bulk of Dead Reckoning and then filmed her final scene for the former when her child was almost nine months old or thereabouts.

    These last two have been operations of behemothic proportions.

    Also interesting: originally The Final Reckoning was going to be non-linear!
Sign In or Register to comment.