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It's just under two years since I sat down in a cinema in Grand Junction (there was a heatwave) to watch MI:7 in a pretty decent cinema.
Got to admit I was slightly underwhelmed with that one: boring exposition, the main set-piece was shown everywhere, and a messy incomprehensible plot.
The previous MI films I've absolutely loved - Fallout being the absolute high point.
So what will this part 2 to part 7 now bring?
Well I'm definitely going to the cinema to see it as it could easily be the last film I go to the cinema for the way things are and going could easily be the last MI film.
Reviews are mixed but who doesn't enjoy a bit of escapism these days? Cinema as we know it dying so get it while you can.
Got to admit I was slightly underwhelmed with that one: boring exposition, the main set-piece was shown everywhere, and a messy incomprehensible plot.
That was the downside of that film - that fact that there'd been any number of "the making of..." segments on YouTube, the stunt had been seen a dozen times from every possible angle so when it happened, it was like "oh yeah. this is the motorbike bit".
I've seen mixed reviews too, including one that basically says it's a Tom Cruise ego trip.
Still booked in to see it though!
That was the downside of that film - that fact that there'd been any number of "the making of..." segments on YouTube, the stunt had been seen a dozen times from every possible angle so when it happened, it was like "oh yeah. this is the motorbike bit".
Yeah, this is very true
However, I love the M:I films (apart from 2, which is godawful), they're so much better than the increasingly po-faced and self-serious Bond films. I'm really looking forward to this, although the Guardian has given it five stars and I've never liked a film that gets a good Guardian review...
That was the downside of that film - that fact that there'd been any number of "the making of..." segments on YouTube, the stunt had been seen a dozen times from every possible angle so when it happened, it was like "oh yeah. this is the motorbike bit".
Yeah, this is very true
However, I love the M:I films (apart from 2, which is godawful), they're so much better than the increasingly po-faced and self-serious Bond films. I'm really looking forward to this, although the Guardian has given it five stars and I've never liked a film that gets a good Guardian review...
Totally agree with the Bond comment.
Seriously poor films that nostalgia protects.
I'm seeing it tonight at a preview, bit of a late night for me but will try to update thread shortly after 😉
I've enjoyed all the MI films apart from maybe #2 which looked more like a music video than action film, I had high hopes for John Woo version but I think the production was troubled, with language / culture barrier. #3 set the template for future films and #6 Fallout really knocked it out of the park. Dead Reckoning kept the tempo up in the first hour but I felt second half floundered a bit - perhaps from trying to make a two film story arc at the same time attempting to fill a near 3 hour movie. Still a top film and one of the few franchises I'll make an effort to see at cinema.
I've enjoyed all the MI films apart from maybe #2 which looked more like a music video than action film, I had high hopes for John Woo version but the production was troubled, with language / culture barrier.
It's a shame that #2 sort of sits in its own world with no explanation afterwards (like in #3 onwards) of what happened to Nyah. It's not like Terminator where Dark Fate kind of ignored that Rise of the Machines had ever happened because #2 introduced Luther.
But there's a definite plot hole of "we can't be bothered trying to concoct a storyline for Nyah's absence, please just accept that in #3 he's engaged to Julia.
I did make sure to visit all the M:I 2 film locations when I was in Sydney though. 🙂
Cinema as we know it dying so get it while you can.
You sure? Or what is 'as you know it'?
Last few films I've seen at the cinema have been rammed (last one was Sinners on a midweek showing at 7pm, previously Mickey 17, absolutely packed in Oxford)(Both films a solid 6/10).
All the stuff I've heard about dickheads filming each other or whatever with their phones out hasn't happened where I've been - that would put me off cos I'd probably end up in a fight!
As for MI films, not my sort of thing, did see the first one. Action like that puts me to sleep.
You sure? Or what is 'as you know it'?
I'm definitely not sure.
But productions are massively down (certainly in LA , as are global attendances - down 30% since 2019).
Plenty of A-list stars moving on to streaming commissioned production environment.
Most people I know don't go anymore.
Etc.
I find it impossible to believe it's not in its last few years.
But I can't predict the future and what will come next.
Ah, fair enough. They've been saying this ever since Sky started showing films (or more probably since the television was invented!) You can't beat the cinema screen for watching films (even if you do have to share the auditorium with morons!), so I don't think it'll ever die completely.
I'm not sure I've seen many of the films...I really don't like Tom Cruise, so happily swerve anything he is in. Saying that I've seen a number of films he is in and I don't think any have been serious disappointments, just none have been ones I'd watch again.
I'm aware how franchises work but surely things have been ramped up so highly that there can't be many left in this? All the regulars are getting on so maybe this is the final one.
I'm happy to give it a miss, but I do suspect this is the kind of film where it would be much much better being watched in a cinema. I suspect the effects, action and sounds are going to work incredibly well with a larger screen and sound system.
I'm aware how franchises work but surely things have been ramped up so highly that there can't be many left in this? All the regulars are getting on so maybe this is the final one.
This is the final one*, clue's in the title
*I mean, you know, probably...
I'm happy to give it a miss, but I do suspect this is the kind of film where it would be much much better being watched in a cinema. I suspect the effects, action and sounds are going to work incredibly well with a larger screen and sound system.
Yeah, it's filmed in IMAX so I'll be going to one of the big cinemas to watch it in full IMAX (I'd do the 4DX, but my wife can't do them because she has a neck injury).
I'm aware how franchises work but surely things have been ramped up so highly that there can't be many left in this?
One of the reviews said much the same - the biplane stunts which have been teased is really one of the only modes of transport not yet been used so it felt like a "what can we do that's a bit different?" thing rather than "oh yes, biplanes fit with the plot and storyline..."
so I don't think it'll ever die completely.
Agree with that.
But I have a big projector screen at home and I just don't go anymore unless I feel the canvas needs it.
I do love the cinema but much streaming content is so good these days last few cinema visits have been a bit disappointing film wise.
This last 6 months has has been incredible on streaming services. Probably the best consistent viewing experience I've ever had.
That said Warfare was a fantastic recent cinematic experience. But it's the only one I can remember.
(Oh Furiosa was utterly stunning on the large canvas. But that was a year ago)
Ah, other than Mission Impossible, I don't actually know the film titles (I hadn't even clocked it in this thread title!)...as said, they just don't interest me due to Tom Cruise. 😉
We've not been to the cinema since 2019 (Avengers Endgame) but will be making a trip for this. Big fan of all the films, other than 2. Never been to an IMAX either so that'll be different. I don't even know what 4DX is!
He gets a lot of flack, but I don't think I've ever seen a Tom Cruise film from the last 20 years that I didn't enjoy. He just seems to know how to make great "Saturday night" films - unpretentious, fun, sharp, and action scenes and plots that manage to be exciting without being stupid (or they're just the right amount/kind of stupid)
I don't even know what 4DX is!
You get motion seats – so you rock around with the action, wind blowing at you, water squirting at you (optional), fog, scents etc. We saw the last Top Gun film in one – me and the kids loved it. I was expecting the seats to rock gently to suggest movement, but they properly rock around all over the place. There's one bit in the film when one of the planes has a bird-strike, and there was a thump from the back of the seat that really made you 'feel' the strike. Saying that, when you watch a 4DX film (much like old-school 3D), you often get the sense that certain scenes were filmed in a particular way to emphasise the experience.
I don't even know what 4DX is!
You get motion seats – so you rock around with the action, wind blowing at you, water squirting at you (optional), fog, scents etc. We saw the last Top Gun film in one – me and the kids loved it. I was expecting the seats to rock gently to suggest movement, but they properly rock around all over the place. There's one bit in the film when one of the planes has a bird-strike, and there was a thump from the back of the seat that really made you 'feel' the strike. Saying that, when you watch a 4DX film (much like old-school 3D), you often get the sense that certain scenes were filmed in a particular way to emphasise the experience.
Yeha 4DX is great fun! I was watching Twisters or something and there was a car flipping over or something and the chairs rocked really violently. Someone a few chairs down wasn't ready and lost the entirety of one of those huge popcorn boxes that he was holding! Superb 🙂
People do like predicting "the death of" things. I used to be an avid cinema-goer, back in my student days we all had annual passes so it got to a point where we couldn't go to the flicks because we'd seen everything.
Today, I bought a stupidly large TV shortly after lockdown, so much like video game arcades the question is "what does this offer that I can't do at home?" Stuff like 4DX, 3D, IMAX et al is probably the future, my sofa was expensive but it can't do bird-strike. Only gimmers like me are going to arcades to get excited about a sit-in Outrun cabinet.
Only gimmers like me are going to arcades to get excited about a sit-in Outrun cabinet.
Pfft, in my day this was all Frogger
Last film I saw at the cinema was with Mrs 100th, to be fair it was captain America. Had 2 people in the auditorium at 7pm on a Friday. Apparently they'd totalled 8people all week.
I think 4DX, IMAX* and 3D are all examples of where cinema has failed on its own terms (telling a story) in that you need to produce a 'new' way of viewing movies.
If cinema was currently successful then films would stand on their own merit and wouldn't need fair ground rides in the theatres.
*IMAX is slightly different in that it's a set of standards - but it's still been stretched from its original idea of shooting on the huge IMAX camera with which most IMAX stamped productions have nothing to do with nowadays.
They are all gimmicks to push an ailing audience through the door.
Also I don't think you have to look further than the recent Cineworld closures to give you some indication of a struggling market.
Worth a read:
I liked Fallout.
What I don't get about the last one is they went to all that effort doing action scenes for real, then they all looked CGI'd! Maybe thats why they put out so much behind the scenes footage.
Never seen an imax/4dx/3d movie but that’s not surprising as I’ve only been to the cinema twice, once at Robert Burns Centre cinema Dumfries to see “Sunshine” back in 2006ish and I took my mates kid to Dumfries cinema to see that 3hr long Avengers movie about 8 years ago. I always wanted to see a suitable imax film such as interstellar or similar as I imagine it’d be quite impressive.
Thanks for the 4DX explanation, think we'll stick to just IMAX.
although the Guardian has given it five stars
That usually means stay well away. A three star Guardian review used to indicate a really good film. They have made it more complicated now as they seem to do multiple reviews so there will no doubt be a 3 star and 2 star follow up. You do not know where you stand anymore 🙂
I don't understand the hate for No2. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.
That said I still think the first one is the best of the series.
I don't understand the hate for No2. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.
The music for #2 is some of Hans Zimmer's best work, it's way under-rated.
Guardian has different film critics. Sometimes two different reviews of the same film.
But yeah I find Bradshaw's reviews don't normally work from me.
Everyone has their own ranking for MI films, 2 is normally sat at the bottom, but then my favourite for some reason is 3, probably mostly due to Philip Seymour Hoffman's baddie. Has some great set-pieces too.
Didn't like the the most recent one though. Don't know why they couldn't see the series through with the central cast intact, the way they disposed of one of them seemed pretty arbitrary. And the plot was really quite boring.
So - anyone seen it yet?
So - anyone seen it yet?
Awaiting opinions too. It's on early evening release from Monday in my neck of the woods but limited showings until the full release.
If anyone is interested, Dead Reckoning has just been released on Netflix – I think I'll be rewatching it over the weekend in readiness for going to see the new one 🙂
Ok I've seen the preview, no spoilers. They were pretty hot on no phones in the theatre, one guy got ejected for filming a few seconds of the intro.
My girls enjoyed it but they did like to pick at it afterwards, like the number of extended Tom Cruise running scenes - two apparently I wasn't counting.
It wasn't what I hoped, it dragged a bit, too much exposition, too much chat, lots of worried faces and a plot that revolved around gaining access to the WiFi codes or something. I always find it hard to get excited about pseudo technical dialog. Yes there is some action but they really make you wait.
There was applause at the credits which you don't get often so I guess it was generally enjoyed. All the farewells it really felt like the last too.
If anyone is interested, Dead Reckoning has just been released on Netflix – I think I'll be rewatching it over the weekend in readiness for going to see the new one
I hadn't seen Dead Reckoning yet, so after sitting down at home in a grump after breaking my elbow, seeing this on the list cheered me up no end.
Not finished it yet. That "of course" at the end of the opening part is just perfect 🤣
It wasn't what I hoped, it dragged a bit, too much exposition, too much chat, lots of worried faces and a plot that revolved around gaining access to the WiFi codes or something
D.R Suffers from this.
Sounds similar. Will still go but personally it sounds like a retread of D.R issues. Too long, too messy. Ultimately more boring than it ought to be.
I wasn't a fan of Deathly Reckoning Pt1, had all the usual problems of a two-parter movie, a plot made overly-elaborate just to allow it to be spread over 400 minutes, and too much chat. Plus getting rid of a central character in a throwaway fashion for no apparent reason (availability?) while introducing a clone character to take over as the love interest, another boring villain, and a bit of find 'the key to the key to the key' just to drag it out.
Even the central stunt seemed a bit pointless, great as it was.
Agreed.
They really did peak with Fallout. They're going to have to go some to recoup that 400million.
That said long term these things pull the dollars in.
Dead Reckoning is on Channel 4 next Saturday, if you've not seen it the first half is as good as any M:I the multi vehicle chase through Rome is fantastic, but yes the second half drags. In Final Reckoning I kept hoping things were about to kick off but they never really did, except last 30 minutes. If they had combined the two halves into one 3 hour movie it would possibly be the greatest M:I ever!
Ahh - for some reason I thought Final Reckonung came out last week, but it is this week – I look forward to reading the reviews in the coming days.
On a slight tangent, does anyone know if this is dubbed or subtitled in Portugal? Thanks!
I saw it yesterday. Epic.
I saw it yesterday. It was a bit too long and there were too many things going on at times. Entertaining enough though and well worth a fiver.
I've been on the sidelines I think I will do Sheffield IMAX.
I'm struggling with the enthusiasm on this one. Kermode said the beginning was terrible but changed gear half-way through.
I've heard many terrible reviews. I'm losing a bit of interest - eek!
Anyone wanna give it a good one?
Anyone wanna give it a good one?
The positives;
There are moments of utter brilliance.
They look back at previous films if you like nostalgia.
The bad guys demise is hilarious.
Was his demise due to natural causes caused by old age?
WTAH, Dead Reckoning started at 2100 on Ch4+1 and the theme music began at approx 2127 and went immediately to an advert! 🤣
I saw Dead Reckoning Pt1 on Netflix the other night - just as a reminder cos I saw it at the cinema when it was first released - but Ch4 and a couple of other film channels are showing all the M:I films at the moment.
Went to see it Saturday evening. Mr Cruise's Messiah Complex had a good airing and I was not enthused by the film. The filmed introduction by the star was really cringe and set the tone for the evening.
WTAH, Dead Reckoning started at 2100 on Ch4+1 and the theme music began at approx 2127 and went immediately to an advert!
Lol that's amazing.
I'm floored generally that the MI7 intro takes nearly 30mins to pop up after heavy exposition and scene setting. But that timing is class.
Re-watched Dead Reckoning last night and didn't warm to it any more. It really is an overlong mess, and even the stunts and fights were getting tiresome and too drawn out towards the end - the long sequence of bits of train falling off looked like they ran out of time during the CGI and editing process, it just looked shoddy even on a relatively small screen.
Obviously we know why they didn't put both movies together as a single, more tightly-edited banger (revenue). The franchise could have gone out on an absolute high.
Tried to watch it (Dead Reckoning) last night made it to 20 minutes then switched off
Obviously we know why they didn't put both movies together as a single, more tightly-edited banger (revenue). The franchise could have gone out on an absolute high
Totally agree with this. It would have been a tighter more impressive outing.
Just back from seeing it. It was OK, but so many plot holes, I won't post spoilers.
What amazes me is how some films create suspense and others can't Argo, Bridge of Spies, Eye in the Sky all come to mind. My overwhelming feeling on this was 'how much longer' and when they unearthed another bomb and the timer started I definitely thought 'another 20 mins! FFS!'
The real disappointment for me was that the sub commander Bledsoe had that as his final line, rather than announcing that in return for saving the world (I assume that isn't a spoiler) then he'd be throwing a melon party. If you know, you know.
If you're willing to suspend your disbelief and not question how they trot around the world with no issues, it's a good story in between the gravelly voiced exposition from multiple characters all finishing each other sentences.
The biplane scene on IMAX is just 😳
What amazes me is how some films create suspense and others can't Argo, Bridge of Spies, Eye in the Sky all come to mind.
This is so true. Suspense is an underused mechanism. Done correctly it draws the viewer in.
It's down to writing - think how fantastic the scene in Scicario is at the border. Barely any dialogue. Taylor Sheridan is so good at this.
People like Tarantino too have a knack for plentiful dialogue broken up by suspense. (Think Brad Pitt's trip to Spahn Ranch in OUATIH). Again economical dialogue and max suspense.
Ironically it feels like MI 7/8 went the same way as Kill Bill which was originally a single film. One of my least favourite Tarantino films.
Ironically it feels like MI 7/8 went the same way as Kill Bill which was originally a single film.
There's a lot of shoehorning previous M:I storylines into TFR to make it work, told through flashbacks and occasionally some flash sideways.
I don't think it would have worked as a single film without becoming excessively complicated and very very long.
At least this time the main stunt sequence was just teased, not examined in all sorts of behind the scenes reveal-all.
I don't think it would have worked as a single film without becoming excessively complicated and very very long.
What about detangling some of the more confusing plot points? I mean AI as a baddie and regular baddie plus the baggage of the untidy back-stories?
I thought it started as a single-film and then effectively expanded in much the same way Kill Bill was. You know two films for two sets of cinema receipts?
I don't think it would have worked as a single film without becoming excessively complicated and very very long.
In the first one you could save about an hour by just having one key rather than having to two separate missions to retrieve two halves of the same key.
Watched part 1 last night on our big screen. Was OK with nice shots of Venice, Rome and “Austria”. Stunts had of course been previewed, but a train into a quarry was impressive. And not a real Britannia either. A full mock up. But the second is definitely a Vue-not-Everyman film. We’ll go and see it as Mrs TiRed is a fan. I think I’ve only seen the first and 7. At least it’s not a superheroes film.
I thought the train stunt went on for far too long, as did Cruise running through Venice. That was basically the feel of the film, everything a bit too stretched out to make 50% of the story into a whole film that the material never merited. It would have been better if they had spent some of the stunt money filling out the plot. And I like action adventure films, I usually prefer a bit of escapism to the more cerebral serious films, but this went too far the other way. So I will wait for it to come on streaming, and for a rainy Sunday afternoon before I watch the 2nd.
But productions are massively down (certainly in LA , as are global attendances - down 30% since 2019).
Plenty of A-list stars moving on to streaming commissioned production environment.
Most people I know don't go anymore.
Not necessarily a bad thing(?)
big bucks franchise productions from LA based studios, while dominant, aren’t actually all of cinema.
While it’s sometimes fun to switch off your brain and watch some comic book derived cobblers or indeed strange Tom deliver another masterclass in Straight-line sprinting and clenched jaw based acting, perhaps it’s a good thing if there’s a bit more space for smaller productions to be shown in cinemas.
(Edit: down 30% since 2019? I wonder what could have happened in the intervening years that might account for that?)
There is an element of the dead hand of VC here - they only want to bankroll stuff that’s ‘guaranteed’ to make money, which means formulaic.
The problem for the VCs is that it doesn’t quite work like that.
Not necessarily a bad thing(?)
big bucks franchise productions from LA based studios, while dominant, aren’t actually all of cinema.
While it’s sometimes fun to switch off your brain and watch some comic book derived cobblers or indeed strange Tom deliver another masterclass in Straight-line sprinting and clenched jaw based acting, perhaps it’s a good thing if there’s a bit more space for smaller productions to be shown in cinemas.
(Edit: down 30% since2019? I wonder what could have happened in the intervening years that might account for that?)
Hollywood isn't just blockbusters and sure it's a money machine but the reality is there would be no real market of films for people to see if it wasn't for Hollywood. Hollywood is a finely tuned system of technicians doing things well. At the budget end we are all scraping around. For sure it contains the worst excesses of capitalism.
I say this as an independent film-maker that is struggling through a distribution VOD contract currently with my first-feature so I know more than most.
I love world cinema, I love independent films but they really on punters.
Yes and COVID and SAG did take a hit but it's probably going to struggle to come back to what it was is my outlook.
Small films in cinemas - not really going to happen these days. As I'm discovering the expense of a release is just to much. So the pull to straight to stream is just too much. Plenty of big films don't get cinema releases these days.
(The sound mix for my independent film is going to cost 13,000 - friend prices that's before it gets to release. So all has to be funded by us.)
I don't particularly hate Hollywood myself - films are films. The M.I films have been examples of good block-busters until now perhaps.
The UK film industry is largely poor in my opinion - there have been high points (Trainspotting) etc but even a modest budget levels they're scraping a living. I know many film professionals and they're really struggling to make a living now.
Not necessarily a bad thing(?)
big bucks franchise productions from LA based studios, while dominant, aren’t actually all of cinema.
While it’s sometimes fun to switch off your brain and watch some comic book derived cobblers or indeed strange Tom deliver another masterclass in Straight-line sprinting and clenched jaw based acting, perhaps it’s a good thing if there’s a bit more space for smaller productions to be shown in cinemas.
(Edit: down 30% since2019? I wonder what could have happened in the intervening years that might account for that?)
Hollywood isn't just blockbusters and sure it's a money machine but the reality is there would be no real market of films for people to see if it wasn't for Hollywood. Hollywood is a finely tuned system of technicians doing things well. At the budget end we are all scraping around. For sure it contains the worst excesses of capitalism.
I say this as an independent film-maker that is struggling through a distribution VOD contract currently with my first-feature so I know more than most.
I love world cinema, I love independent films but they really on punters.
Yes and COVID and SAG did take a hit but it's probably going to struggle to come back to what it was is my outlook.
Small films in cinemas - not really going to happen these days. As I'm discovering the expense of a release is just too much. So the pull to straight to stream is just too much. Plenty of big films don't get cinema releases these days.
(The sound mix for my independent film is going to cost 13,000 - friend prices that's before it gets to release. So all has to be funded by us.)
I don't particularly hate Hollywood myself - films are films. The M.I films have been examples of good block-busters until now perhaps.
The UK film industry is largely poor in my opinion - there have been high points (Trainspotting) etc but even a modest budget levels they're scraping a living. I know many film professionals and they're really struggling to make a living now.
Well, I enjoyed it. I didn't worry too much about all the exposition in the first third, or the convoluted method of dealing with the McGuffin, I just sat back at Imax and watched it.
I loved the cameos - the guy with the knife? Brilliant. John Romain flying the plane? Yes please.
I will watch it again when it's on streaming, and I'll count how many times the top secret, everyone-wants-it key is held up to the light, and turned and admired...
It's what summer cinema is. A big spectacle. Watch it.
Nice to hear a positive review
Nice to hear a positive review
It's what summer cinema is. A big spectacle. Watch it.
Yup,its a Mission Impossible film ,packed with exactly what you would expect.
Impossible stunts ..check
Impossible sprinting..check
Impossible ability to hang on to things by one hand ..check
Impossible , amount of seconds left on the countdown clock ..check
Impossible length of time that Jasper Briggs used the same facial expression..check
I really liked it and enjoyed the cameos and nods back to the previous MI films
It's a solid 8/10 from me.
Saw it last night, was really looking forward to it as I've loved them all so far (apart from MI2, obvs).
Brief review - it was crap.
Longer review - so many overly drawn out scenes. So much po-faced self-seriousness. So much dreadfully earnest explanation of what the next bit of the film is going to be about. So little humour. So little excitement (biplane bit was impressive, admittedly, the submarine bit was dull). Zero suspense. Zero 'snap', everything was really laboured.
The franchise goes out with a whimper, not a bang.
Watched it yesterday afternoon. Tremendous fun, silly plot, great action, good comedy dialogue log, ridiculous stunts by the man himself and great cameos tying them all films together. Ultimately it’s a daft action film but I knew that before I went. I seen the first at the cinema so wanted to see this too, the first was just an action film too.
Ultimately it’s a daft action film but I knew that before I went.
I think I saw a different film to everyone else. I was really looking forward to seeing a daft action film, what I saw was a really long boring film.
It was long yes, didn’t find it particularly boring myself.
Interesting differences of opinion.
I'm gonna skip the cinema and watch on my projector now.
Just don't feel revved up enough for the flix.