54. Mission: Impossible: Fallout (2018) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning

Sound Speed Action

2018’s “Mission Impossible: Fallout” is the focus of today’s episode of Sound Speed Action, and the question is not just whether it’s the best in the series—but is it one of the greatest action epics ever made?

It took six movies for the franchise (and two for director Christopher McQuarrie and Cruise) to find their groove, and this is the moment it all clicks. The action! The cast! The music! Even the dramatic and comedic beats land. And this movie fully leans into Ethan Hunt as the ultimate good guy—someone who won’t accept the idea that saving one life means losing millions.

It also has the best “light the fuse” intro of the series and the strongest callback to MI:1. For the first time, we get not just a returning villain, but two bad guys.

Of course, it’s still got some classic MI flaws: the villains still want to destroy the world to save it (seriously, we’re still doing that?). Ilsa Faust is a total badass but seems way too quick to risk it all for Ethan (everyone falls for this guy instantly?). And the Syndicate, Apostles, John Lark—it’s not always clear who’s who or what group is working with which.

Also, that helicopter chase? Cool… but it runs long.

Even with all that, this movie is a blast. The action set pieces (HALO jump, bathroom fight, BMW vs motorcycle, and more) are constant thrills. And the more we learn about Ethan’s ethos, the more charged those moments feel.

This is Mission: Impossible at its peak.

Streaming now on Paramount+. Also available to rent or buy.

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