Movie Review - Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 169 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Holt McCallany, Nick Offerman, Angela Bassett, Hannah Waddingham
 
Description: Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF pursue a dangerous AI called the Entity that’s infiltrated global intelligence. With governments and a figure from his past pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.
 
Review: Ethan Hunt gets one more chance to complete his mission. After the evens in “Mission: Impossible – Death Reckoning Part One”, the existence of The Entity is no longer a secret. This self-aware and all-encompassing AI that can take over world leadership, is so dangerous it might end the world. Ethan Hunt has gone into hiding with the key to the digital brain, while the government would rather use this technology than destroy it. Shutting it down would mean the end of cyberspace, and the White House wants to prevent that. It’s up to Ethan to convince them to let him do his job.

The film opens with a video message from the president to Hunt, which also serves as a concise summary of the entire film series.

“Mission – Impossible – The Final Reckoning” consists of three parts. There is already a lot at stake, but in the first act the stakes are raised so that Hunt cannot possibly refuse the mission. Then he has to persuade others to give him permission. With or without approval, in the second part he carries out his plan. And action-packed and excessive spectacle that is entertaining as hell.

The climax follows in the last part, with the grand stunt Tom Cruise pulls off. Which has become a tradition by now. That final half hour, is an absolute nail-biter. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

This final film in the “Mission: Impossible” series really did it. It’s a satisfying and strong end to a long-running franchise.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Thriller
Runtime: 163 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Esai Morales, Cary Elwes.
 
Description: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.

Review: Master spy Ethan Hunt is back in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”, already part seven within the franchise. And aside from the second film in this series, which is the odd one out, the Mission: Impossible franchise is very solid and I liked or loved every single one of these films. You can say it’s a fairly consistent series. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” has so far been my favorite, and after seeing this seventh installment it still is. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” does not reach the same level, but nevertheless remains a strong sequel, that will most definitely end up on my favorites list at the end of the year.

Tom Cruise wouldn’t be Tom Cruise if he didn’t, yet again, do some crazy stunts. Jumping off a cliff on a motorcycle is a cake walk for Cruise, but him risking his life like that gives the audience an authentic movie experience. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” contains plenty of practically shot action. And the action is what these movies excel at. That aforementioned stunt is a one to look forward too, but an exciting car chase through the streets of Rome and a derailed train scene are gems as well. That last one was my favorite part.

The seventh film collects successful plot points and elements from previous volumes and merges them together. Every time I watch one of these movies, I feel like I want to be a spy too. Ethan Hunt has such a solid team behind him. But this time they have a smaller role than usual. Which was my only critique. We did get a new great addition though, in the form of Hayley Atwell. She is amazing in this film and I hope (and predict) she will be in the next film as well.

They cleverly added “Part One” to the film title, so people know this film might end on a cliffhanger and with several loose ends. I can’t wait for this story to continue, because all Mission: Impossible film deliver and excel in their action sequences and stunt work.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Blinded by the Light

Director: Gurinder Chadha
Genre: Music/ Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Viveik Kalra, Dean-Charles Chapman, Kit Reeve, David Hayman, Kulvinder Ghir, Nikita Mehta, Rob Brydon, Meera Ganatra, Hayley Atwell, Aaron Phagura

Description: In England in 1987, teenager Javed (Viveik Kalra) from an Asian family learns to live his life, understands his family and finds his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.

Review: Don’t let resistance, adversity and misfortune in life stop you. Don’t give up your dreams and hope, even if they seem so far away. we all have the right to our own lives and feelings. There are just some of the messages Bruce Springsteen has put into his music over the years. It has earned him many dedicated fans worldwide. For the British-Pakistani Sarfraz Manzoor, Bruce became a lifelong inspiration and obsession. “Blinded by the Light” is based on his life, written by him and an ode to both Bruce Springsteen and how we can be connected anywhere in the world through empathy.
Safraz Manzoor, in the flm called Javed, moves to England when he is two-years old. He grows up in Luton, a town in South-East England. He doesn’t have a happy childhood and doesn’t British or Pakistani. Javed doesn’t have any connection with his birth country, but also with the countru he currently lives in. He wants to, but on the one hand there is his strict father, with whom he has a bad relationship and of whom he doesn’t like much. On the other hand there is the racism of white Britons, who call him ‘paki’, piss through the mailbox and once put a pig head on the local mosque.
But then Javed discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen, thanks to a friend. Not a Pakistani Muslim, but a Sikh of Indian descent who had the same identity struggle in the eighties. Bruce Springsteen’s music and especially his lyrics appeal to them so much that they almost feel that he wrote the songs for them. because even though Springsteen is a lot older and comes from America, he writes about universal feelings and themes from his own perspective, in such a way that Javed recognizes himself in it that he becomes an obsessed fan for life. Against the will of his family, Javed want to be a writer and journalist.
Besides a look at the cultural identity of second-generation immigrants and racism in England, “Blinded by the Light” is also mainly an ode to Springsteen and the strong points of his music and poetry. There are as relevant today as they were to Javed in the eighties, while the images of demonstration by the right-wing extremists are strongly reminiscent of similar (neo-) fascist movements today.
Nevertheless, “Blinded by the Light” is a cheerful, even sentimental feel-good film about finding an identity and daring to follow your dreams. Precisely the clichéd feel-good moments at the end of the film, and some of the early quarrels with his father, are fascinating and moving. With “Blinded by the Light” the real-life Javed gives the same hope and joy of life that Bruce Springsteen’s music once gave him.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

Movie Reviews - Christopher Robin

Director: Marc Forster
Genre: Adventure/ Family
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Brad Garrett, Toby Jones, Peter Capaldi

Description: A working-class family man, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

Review: Winnie the Pooh belongs to us all. I think we all grew up reading A.A. Milne’s stories about the honey loving bear and his friends Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo. You are warned, this movie has a high level of cuteness! Before Disney got its hands on the Marvel universe, Winnie the Pooh was its best-selling merchandise title. And many people claim that this film was just for that purpose. I think there is a much deeper meaning and it’s one of the sweetest films I have seen this year.
The film centers around Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh’s human friend. In the opening scene we see young Christopher Robin, Pooh and all the other friend during a farewell party. Christopher has to go to boarding school and won’t be able to visit his forest friends. Leaving is friends also means leaving his past behind and a part of himself.
When we meet Christopher again, he is a grown man, married with a daughter, working for a suitcase company. All he does is work and he barely has any time for his wife and daughter. But then there is Pooh. Because Christopher lost a little too much of his old self.
Losing your childhood, losing your fantasies, all for a mind numbing job. The longing for getting in touch with you inner child and all the great things you experiences as a child. Something that Disney does very well and this movie captures perfectly. And there is nothing wrong with this formula, it’s a perfect family film. And with all these great, recognizable characters, that candy sweet message at the end never bothers you.
“Christopher Robin” is one of the most adorable, sweet and kind hearted movies I have seen this year. Loved it!

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 125: Cinderella

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Adventure/ Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Hayley Atwell, Ben Chaplin, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera

Description: When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her scheming step-sisters (Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera). Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden).

Review: In 1950 Disney came with the animated musical “Cinderella” and 65 years later the studios turn it into a live action film. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, “Cinderella” is a surprisingly good fairytale.
Disney always gives us heroes, beautiful costumes, emotion, morals, villains and depth. And although “Cinderella” is sugar sweet, it’s a delightful film for the whole family. And for the hopeless romantics among us.
Cinderella is played by Lily James, who isn’t an extraordinary actress but manages to make her character charming and very likeable. The prince is played by Richard Madden, who we know as Robb Stark from “Game of Thrones”. The stars are actually the bigger names in the cast: Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother. These great actresses support “Cinderella” well.
“Cinderella” is filled with great décor and scenery, but also gorgeous costumes. Really something from a fairytale. But it’s not a film that hides behind all the beauty it shows. There is a moral and it’s supposed to inspire, escepcially young girls. “Cinderella” touches you and is really easu to watch. A guarantee to put a smile on your face. I didn’t expect to like it this much. It’s an enchanting film.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 77: Ant-Man

Director: Peyton Reed
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Mackie, Judy Greer, Michael Peña, John Slattery, Hayley Atwell

Description: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Review: In “Ant-Man” we follow Scott Lang. Scott is a burglar who was just released from prison and is trying to straighten his life. He wants to do good for his daughter. Scott realizes that this isn’t easy: he is fired and his ex only lets him see his daughter when he has a steady income. Scott decides to do one last burglar job: break into a safe of a rich man. In that safe isn’t any money though, but a suit. This suit belongs to Hank Pym, a genius inventor. Pym set up the burglary and wanted Scott to steal the suit. The suit gives you the ability to shrink to ant size. Scott has been chosen to wear it and becomes Ant-Man, to stop Prym’s protégé Darren Cross.
Originally Edgar Wright was going to direct “Ant-Man”. Peyton Reed took over that job and he did it well. This time the hero isn’t a millionaire, God or scientist. He is an average man, even with a criminial past. And it’s not the end of the world that’s at stake, or the universe. It’s a lot smaller, but still important. This makes it all fresh and new.
It takes some time for something to really happen, but once we are there “Ant-Man” is great. There is a lot to enjoy: great action sequences, interesting characters, humor. The scenes where Ant-Man shrinks and enhances himself again are fantastic.
A lot of questions were raised when Paul Rudd was cast as Scott Lang, but I think he showed everyone he is capable of carrying a big movie like this. He did a great job, he is charismatic, funny and really perfect for the role.
“Ant-Man” is a highly enjoyable Marvel film. I loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 154: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 136 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Robert Redford, Hayley Atwell, Sebastion Stan, Toby Jones, Frank Grillo, Gary Shandling

Description: Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.

Review: Off course we could expect a sequel to “Captain America: The First Avenger”, a movie about the patriotic superhero that got mixed reviews in 2011. In “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, Steve Rogers tries, like his Avenger colleagues, to get his life together after the big battle in New York (in the movie “The Avengers” from 2012). He is trying to find his place in society, but working for S.H.I.E.L.D. keeps him busy. Together with Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanoff, he solves problems easily, but Steve starts doubting S.H.I.E.L.D. When he is about to discover a conspiracy, the mysterious Winter Soldier enters the playing field.

I think I was one of the few people that actually really liked “Captain America: The First Avenger”. Off all the superheroes, Captain America has the least impressive powers, but he has always been my favorite. In “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” he proofs that again. The movie does this cool superhero justice. Chris Evans shows us again that he was the perfect choice to play the role of Steve Rogers. It’s also great to see Scarlett Johansson in a bigger role as Black Widow. This movie actually made her a real character.

The action sequences are pure joy, with minimal use of CGI. Off course it sometimes feels a bit over the top.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a great action movie, with a strongly written script, sharp humor and outstanding action scenes. It’s probably one of the best Marvel movies. If you wait until after the credits, we see a cool preview of “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. People keep saying that there is a superhero movie overkill. I don’t agree, if they are all as good as this.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Movie Couples of 2011

It's almost the end of the year. Time to look back. First the movie couples I loved in 2011.

5. James Franco and Freida Pinto (“The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”)
Freida Pinto may not have the most spectacular role in this movie and it was certianly not James Franco’s best either, but I like them together and apart.

4. Hayley Atwell and Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”)
I never heard of Hayley Atwell before but she had amazing chemistry with Chris Evans. Her sassy Peggy Carter and his tough though kind Steve Rogers where a perfect match.

3. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt (“The Adjustment Bureau”)
Both fantastic actors and I was so happy that the two of them starred in a movie together. Matt and Emily are both charming as hell and together they make a great on-screen duo.

2. Jason Segel and Amy Adams (“The Muppets”)
The most adorable couple on this list. Jason Segel and Amy Adams are both people who can be so funny without being super hilarious. This combination was very well found and I love them together.

1. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”)
Emma Stone has stole my heart, she is awesome. But I think she looks amazing next to Ryan Gosling. What a brilliant couple and they’re practically a match made in heaven.

They almost made the top 5: Kristen Wiig and Chris O'Dowd ("Bridesmaids"), Rupert Grint and Emma Watson ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"), Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds ("The Green Lantern") and Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake ("Friends with Benefits").

Movie Tip # 49: Captain America: The First Avenger

Director: Joe Johnston

Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones

Description: It is 1942, America has entered World War II, and sickly but determined Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is frustrated at being rejected yet again for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erksine (Stanley Tucci) recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Proving his extraordinary courage, wits and conscience, Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly enhanced into the maximum human potential. When Dr. Erksine is then immediately assassinated by an agent of Nazi Germany's head of its secret HYDRA research department, Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Rogers is left as a unique man who is initially misused as a propaganda mascot. However, when his comrades need him, Rogers goes on a successful adventure that truly makes him Captain America and his war against Schmidt begins.

Review: Let's just say that I'm not a big fan of superhero movies, with off course some exceptions. But I have to say that this is my favorite superhero movie. "Captain America: The First Avenger" is in many ways an old-fashioned movie, and I don't mean corny. It's old-fashioned entertainment, old-fashioned as in: why don't they make more movies like this? Most cinematic superheroes of today inhabit a universe where the heroes are full of shortcomings, including a large dose of cynicism. Steve Rogers has an innate goodness and he does anything in order to save humanity. Rogers is a very likeable man and Chris Evans does a fantastic job portraying him. I love Chris Evans. Great visual effects, which made Evans a very tiny and skinny man in the beginning. Because of the Vita-Rays, they made him the supersoldier he eventually became. The casting is by the way perfect, for every character. Hugo Weaving is a very convincing villain and is probably the strongest character in the film. I was impressed by Hayley Atwell, who played Rogers' love interest Peggy Carter. Evans has some very amusing scenes and lots of chemistry with Atwell. Strong supporting roles are there for Tucci as the moral anchor of the film and Tommy Lee Jones gets the most laughs as the no-nonsense Colonel Philips. I was really glad to be talked into seeing this movie, because it was very good and I enjoyed every bit of it. Now I have a new favorite superhero: Captain America rules!