Thursday, Film4, 9pm
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) isn’t just a spy thriller – it’s Tom Cruise’s ongoing audition to become a literal superhero. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this sixth installment in the franchise doubles down on the adrenaline, with Cruise flinging himself out of planes, off cliffs, and into the occasional helicopter cockpit. The plot, as always, is a labyrinthine tangle of double-crosses, nuclear threats, and lingering glances from Henry Cavill’s mustache (which somehow deserved its own billing). But let’s be honest – no one’s here for the dialogue. We’re here to see if Cruise will finally break something that can’t be fixed by CGI.
Lorne Balfe’s score thunders through Fallout like it’s trying to keep pace with Cruise himself. Unlike the jazzy espionage flavors of previous Mission: Impossible entries, Balfe dials up the intensity with pounding percussion and swelling brass that wouldn’t feel out of place in The Dark Knight. His take on the iconic “Mission: Impossible Theme” is less covert ops and more “run like hell,” perfectly matching the film’s relentless energy. It’s as if Hans Zimmer’s Inception score had a caffeine overdose and decided to join the IMF.
What sets Fallout apart is how unapologetically physical it feels – every punch, crash, and leap lands with bone-rattling weight. Cruise hanging from a helicopter feels as real as it looks because, well, it is. The film balances high-octane action with moments of sly humor and heartfelt character beats, proving that even after six outings, this franchise hasn’t lost its footing. As for Cavill, he reloads his biceps mid-fight – and if that’s not peak cinema, I don’t know what is.
- Noel Chambers