Mission Impossible: Fallout - 3 smiles

"Mission Impossible: Fallout" is perhaps the most coherent of the Mission Impossible movies. This is especially true since Christopher McQuarrie took over the last two films. Combined together, Rogue Nation and "Fallout" represent the best the series has had to offer, including amped up action and stunts. It's a strong, engaging spy thriller with plenty of twists and relentless pace. However, typical of the genre, there are plot holes that you're not supposed to think about and it's way too long. The series continues to retain certain elements of its TV origins, including the iconic theme and self-destroying mission message. Along with central character, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), many familiar faces have returned as well - Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell. Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa moves closer to earning the level of love interest although she gets to participate in plenty of action. Newcomers include Angela Bassett as Erica Sloan, the CIA director, Vanessa Kirby as 'White Widow' and Henry Cavill as the buff chief antagonist, Sloan's 'fixer' August Walker. McQuarrie's version of Mission Impossible is bigger, over-the-top action sequences. There are several high-octane scenes, the highlights including a motorcycle chase through Paris streets, a lengthy rooftop chase with Hunt on foot and another that's focused on a helicopter chase. (lots of chases!) The biggest problem is its nearly 2 1/2-hour length, which is exhausting.

Suffice it to say, the plot involves a suitcase containing three globes of plutonium that Ethan loses when he has to choose between it and saving Luther's life. With Hunt chasing after the suitcase, Sloan (Bassett) assigns Walker (Cavill) to go along to insure the job is done the 'right way.' The plutonium is wanted by The Apostles, who are the remnants of The Syndicate, the group dismantled at the end of Rogue Nation when master villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is captured. A broker, White Widow (Kirby) is willing to trade the plutonium to Hunt for a price: Hunt has to kidnap Lane, who is currently in French police custody. Things get complicated, of course. Isla is recruited by MI6 to kill Lane to regain her standing with Britain's spy agency, which brings her in close proximity to Hunt. And while Hunt and Ilsa never kiss, there is palpable chemistry between the two. Cruise isn't too old to credibly play Hunt (and the articles about the stunts he does himself are amazing) and with the success of "Mission Impossible: Fallout," this is one sequel that audiences will enjoy.