Action-Adventure Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning/The Final Reckoning

[Ninjablade]

Even Hunt appears to be a side character in his own mission.

Huh?? How?

 

[Mandon Knight]

Huh?? How?

For me, everyone just seems so uninterested throughout. Maybe it was my lack of interest, not sure but they seemed bored.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Pegg is utterly sidelined, Rhames barely is in it or speaks any dialogue and the treatment of Ferguson is appallingly handled.

Even Hunt appears to be a side character in his own mission.

Pegg's in Dead Reckoning plenty. I'm also unclear how you can sideline the tech guy. His job is on the sideline. Same with Rhames, who has been suffering from health issues. Both still get a massive spotlight during the airport, Benji's in Ethan's ear constantly, and like all previous M:I flicks, the main attraction is the new characters and Ethan.

In what way is the treatment of Ferguson "appalling"? She wanted out, so they had to write her out. They give her a pretty massive send off in the process.

Are you under the impression that because Atwell is under the mask during the climax Ethan is sidelined? Because that's just ignoring everything that happens in the movie. Every action set piece is built around Ethan. They even give him an nonsensical grudge with the main villain. Then a real one.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

For me, everyone just seems so uninterested throughout. Maybe it was my lack of interest, not sure but they seemed bored.

That is a very different statement from Ethan is a side character.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Pegg's in Dead Reckoning plenty. I'm also unclear how you can sideline the tech guy. His job is on the sideline. Same with Rhames, who has been suffering from health issues. Both still get a massive spotlight during the airport, Benji's in Ethan's ear constantly, and like all previous M:I flicks, the main attraction is the new characters and Ethan.

In what way is the treatment of Ferguson "appalling"? She wanted out, so they had to write her out. They give her a pretty massive send off in the process.

Are you under the impression that because Atwell is under the mask during the climax Ethan is sidelined? Because that's just ignoring everything that happens in the movie. Every action set piece is built around Ethan. They even give him an nonsensical grudge with the main villain. Then a real one.

I hated it. Maybe because I watched it late at night and it's f**king long.

I just thought it was bollocks after Fallout.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I hated it. Maybe because I watched it late at night and it's f**king long.

I just thought it was bollocks after Fallout.

That's fine. But what you wrote had no relation to the film Dead Reckoning. Where there is a literal character running around speechifying about the enigma known as Ethan Hunt. The entire movie is built around him.

 

[Ninjablade]

For me, everyone just seems so uninterested throughout. Maybe it was my lack of interest, not sure but they seemed bored.

I think you're just projecting your own dislike of the film. I have a hard time thinking anyone in the film is bored when we've got actors partaking in goofy car chases involving characters handcuffed to one another, Shea Whigham and Cary Elwes trying to see who could be more hammy, and Vanessa Kirby clearly enjoying the hell out of doing an impression of Atwell doing impression of Kirby.

And none of that really reflects on whether or not Ethan is a side character in his own movie.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I rewatched M:I 3 yesterday. I forgot how grungy and dirty it is. And I don’t say that as a negative. With a lot of these spy thrillers, everything tends to look so sleek and pristine and everyone is dressed really well. But JJ went the other way with it and I think it really makes the film stand out. Ethan constantly finds himself in some dark and filthy environments and has to kill his way out. It’s very effective, especially in the epic action scene at the beginning and the interrogation with PSH at the end.

And about PSH, what a ****ing FORCE. His performance is intense and scary as hell but subtle. You just believe this guy doesn’t buy ANYONE’S bull**** and if you cross him, you are screwed. And it just feels so natural and effortless. So many times when actors play villains in these types of movies, they go all-in on the crazy or viciousness. But Hoffman delivers it like the scariest middle manager you ever worked under as an entry-level employee who knows he could ruin your life and take away your health insurance at any moment just because he feels like it. So good.

 

[BlackFox]

I rewatched M:I 3 yesterday. I forgot how grungy and dirty it is. And I don’t say that as a negative. With a lot of these spy thrillers, everything tends to look so sleek and pristine and everyone is dressed really well. But JJ went the other way with it and I think it really makes the film stand out. Ethan constantly finds himself in some dark and filthy environments and has to kill his way out. It’s very effective, especially in the epic action scene at the beginning and the interrogation with PSH at the end.

And about PSH, what a ****ing FORCE. His performance is intense and scary as hell but subtle. You just believe this guy doesn’t buy ANYONE’S bull**** and if you cross him, you are screwed. And it just feels so natural and effortless. So many times when actors play villains in these types of movies, they go all-in on the crazy or viciousness. But Hoffman delivers it like the scariest middle manager you ever worked under as an entry-level employee who knows he could ruin your life and take away your health insurance at any moment just because he feels like it. So good.

Yeah 3 still holds up really well as an action/spy film given its age, its also slick and perfectly paced, you dont get 35 minutes of meetings and exposition dumps to move the plot forward or everything overly explained, there just isnt enough time, it zips along at full throttle throughout. It also has the best use of a team mate Hunt losses having an effect on him as a character because you actually get to see it happen and not just in some flashback or montage to try and make you care about it, show dont tell.

It doesnt quite have the crazy stunts of GP onwards and has a bit too much green screen and lense flare, JJ gonna JJ, but as a tight, taught action ride its a blast and much more focused than some the latest installments.

 

[Mysteryman]

Pegg is utterly sidelined, Rhames barely is in it or speaks any dialogue and the treatment of Ferguson is appallingly handled.

Even Hunt appears to be a side character in his own mission.

When you speak of the appalling way that they handled Rebecca Ferguson, you understand that she, WANTED them to kill Ilsa, RIGHT? She has been very vocal about it.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Pegg is utterly sidelined, Rhames barely is in it or speaks any dialogue and the treatment of Ferguson is appallingly handled.

Even Hunt appears to be a side character in his own mission.

I guess it's a matter of perspective from your own unique point of view. But I didn't see that at all.

 

[DyeLorean]

I think the big difference in both Reckoning films is that it misses some of the "team on a mission" aspect and it's mostly focused on Ethan. I wouldn't say the team is sidelined, but they do have less to do.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I think the big difference in both Reckoning films is that it misses some of the "team on a mission" aspect and it's mostly focused on Ethan. I wouldn't say the team is sidelined, but they do have less to do.

Let’s be real; that’s every movie lol.

Anyway, how would ya’ll rank the main villains in these movies? I’m not sure if Gabriel and the Entity should be listed separately but I did even though you kinda need them both for the last two movies to work.

1. Owen Davian (MI3)
2. Solomon Lane (Rogue Nation, Fallout)
3. Gabriel (Dead and Final Reckoning)
4. The Entity (Dead and Final Reckoning)
5. August Walker (Fallout)
6. Jim Phelps (MI)
7. Sean Ambrose (MI2)
8. Kurt Hendricks (Ghost Protocol)

I know it’s probably a controversial opinion not ranking Ambrose last but I have to give Dougray Scott at least some credit for all the work he put into that movie (so much that it probably severely hurt his career since he had to bow out of playing Wolverine). Even though he’s a hammy villain, he’s basically half the movie, while Michael Nyqvist has like 5 lines of dialogue as Hendricks and barely feels like a character, even if Ghost Protocol is awesome and a much better movie that MI2.

 

[The Caped Knight]

1. Owen Davian
2. August Walker
3. Solomon Lane
4. Gabriel
5. Shawn Ambrose
6. The Entity
7. Jim
8. Kurt Hendricks

 

[Kane52630]

I rewatched M:I 3 yesterday. I forgot how grungy and dirty it is. And I don’t say that as a negative. With a lot of these spy thrillers, everything tends to look so sleek and pristine and everyone is dressed really well. But JJ went the other way with it and I think it really makes the film stand out. Ethan constantly finds himself in some dark and filthy environments and has to kill his way out. It’s very effective, especially in the epic action scene at the beginning and the interrogation with PSH at the end.

And about PSH, what a ****ing FORCE. His performance is intense and scary as hell but subtle. You just believe this guy doesn’t buy ANYONE’S bull**** and if you cross him, you are screwed. And it just feels so natural and effortless. So many times when actors play villains in these types of movies, they go all-in on the crazy or viciousness. But Hoffman delivers it like the scariest middle manager you ever worked under as an entry-level employee who knows he could ruin your life and take away your health insurance at any moment just because he feels like it. So good.

 

[Dave McFly]

Owen by far is one of the BEST of the villains in the M:I series and Philip Seymour Hoffman killed as him specially when he was threatening to kill Ethan's wife .

 

[DarkKnight88]

PSH definitely elevated that character. Played by anyone else it would’ve been a generic villain with an unsatisfying death lol

 

[Dave McFly]

absolute chilling scene PSH is awesome and HIGHLY missed in this business

 

[Deck Rickard]

Owen by far is the BEST of villain in the M:I series and Philip Seymour Hoffman killed as him specially when he was threatening to kill Ethan's wife .

Edited for accuracy.

 

[BlackFox]

1. Owen Davian
2. August Walker
3. Solomon Lane
4. Gabriel
5. Shawn Ambrose
6. The Entity
7. Jim
8. Kurt Hendricks

For me Solomon Lane was the best, he seemed to "get" to Hunt more than any other across two films and what he did with Benji and Julia was just cold. Harris also crushed the performance twice which helped but I can see why Davian is so popular too.

 

[Filmfreak]

Solomon Lane
Owen Davian
August Walker
Jim Phelps
Gabriel
The Entity
Shawn Ambrose
Kurt Hendricks

Hendricks is the reason Ghost Protocol hasn't aged as well as other entries of the franchise in my mind. Extremely underwhelming villain and waste of a really good actor.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Solomon Lane
Owen Davian
August Walker
Jim Phelps
Gabriel
The Entity
Shawn Ambrose
Kurt Hendricks

Hendricks is the reason Ghost Protocol hasn't aged as well as other entries of the franchise in my mind. Extremely underwhelming villain and waste of a really good actor.

Ghost Protocol rocks and then you get to the climax and they're ain't anyone worth punching.

 

[DyeLorean]

In Hendricks' defense, I like the way there are at least two instances where the character is prominent but you don't realize until later: once during the Kremlin sequence. You can see him at least twice before Benji and Ethan enter. And the second one is the entire Dubai sequence, where he is masked as the other guy. There are clever ways in which the character is around, which is why I don't like the "he is barely in the movie" argument. He is sneaky, not bombastic and loud like others.

 

[Kane52630]

They should have switched it up and killed off Kurt and made Sabine the big bad in the 3rd act.

 

[Mysteryman]

As

They should have switched it up and killed off Kurt and made Sabine the big bad in the 3rd act.

As cruel as she was, I found Sabines death enormously satisfying.