Mission: Impossible - Fallout Parent Guide

Mission Impossible: Fallout has roared into theatres to widespread excitement and breathless reviews. The sixth in the franchise, it follows Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in his attempts to save the world from yet another cataclysmic act of terror. (One of the most remarkable features of this movie is Cruise himself – apparently ageless, he is old enough to order off the senior’s menu at Denny’s but still performs most of his own stunts, even breaking his ankle while filming an action sequence in London.)

This installment opens with the usual Mission Impossible scene: Ethan Hunt receives a package containing details of his mission - should he choose to accept it. What follows is a whirlwind race against the clock to prevent the mysterious “Apostles” from assembling and detonating a pair of nuclear weapons. Ethan and his team, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) head to Berlin to get stolen plutonium before the terrorists do. Forced to choose between the plutonium and Luther’s life, Ethan chooses Luther. Appalled that Ethan would let the radioactive material slip through his fingers, CIA Head, Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett) insists that one of her handpicked agents, August Walker (Henry Cavill), babysit Ethan as he heads off to Paris to retrieve it.

Given that this franchise isn’t exactly new, viewers are likely to have a pretty good idea of what this movie is going to deliver. In fact, aficionados will probably be able to pick up the plot from the poster or trailer. That’s not to say this isn’t a fun action romp: it is the prototypical action movie. Explosions, breathtaking stunts, stunning location shots and larger-than-life megalomaniacal villains are the soup du jour of this nearly two and a half hour long thrill ride.

Compared to other offerings in the action genre, beside violent depictions, there are few other concerns. Profanity is infrequent except for one intense action sequence which tripled the money in my swear jar. The treatment of women here is also a refreshing change – instead of being bimbos in bikinis whose role is to be eye candy, bed mates, or damsels in distress, these female characters are strong, fully clothed women with careers, goals, and minds of their own. Other positive messages include a commitment to the rights of individuals, the importance of teamwork and loyalty, accepting what life gives you and getting to know yourself through adversity.

Parents considering Mission: Impossible – Fallout for family viewing should be aware that the PG-13 rating is fully merited: this film is not suitable for children. But its sterilized violence, moderate profanity, and minimal content issues make it a good date movie and a fun cinematic evening out for teenagers and adults. Viewers who are looking for a summer escape, and go in knowing what to expect, should have a lot of fun without too much negative fallout.