The Endgame: Whatever It Takes

Now that it's been almost two weeks since the release of Avengers: Endgame, I think spoilers are fair game. This won't be a spoiler review, but I'm going to discuss why I believe Endgame is an excellent companion piece to Infinity War. If you haven't seen either film, click away and come back to read this another time! Though my reviews for both films are safe to read if you'd like to check those out! Without further ado, let's dive into spoiler-territory.

**Spoiler Warning for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame**

Thematically, Infinity War and Endgame are both about sacrifice. There's certainly more at play than that, but a recurring question through these two films is where do these characters draw the line? There are many contributing causes to Thanos' victory and subsequent snap at the end of Infinity War, but the Avengers lost primarily due to an unwillingness to set aside personal differences and trade one life for the sake of saving billions till it was too late. 

Why The Avengers Lost

Captain America: Civil War left our main heroes divided, with Tony Stark harboring a bitter resentment towards Steve Rogers. Rogers knew that Hydra had assassinated Tony's parents and suspected Bucky may have had some involvement, but kept that information from Tony to protect his friend. However, it's important to remember that Steve offers an olive branch at the end of Civil War by sending Stark a flip-phone so Tony can call whenever he needs him. Steve is open to patching things up, but it's up to Tony to make that phone call and forgive Steve. 

It's understandable why Tony was upset, but his reservation to contact Steve may have doomed the heroes from the outset. Not to mention that a majority of the Earth-bound Avengers were on-the-run or under house arrest as a result of the Sokovia Accords. Since Tony didn't call Steve and the heroes were scattered, the Avengers were unable to present a united front against Thanos. Would that alone have been enough to stop him? Probably not. 

Another significant factor which held the Avengers back was Captain America's insistence that the team doesn't trade lives. A noble sentiment, but one which enabled Thanos to collect the Mind Stone eventually. Vision recognized that the stone could be destroyed and, while it would come at the cost of his own life, his sacrifice could protect half of all life. Instead, the team sought out assistance from Shuri in Wakanda to attempt safely removing the stone. Unfortunately, Shuri didn't have enough time to complete the procedure, and Wanda waited to destroy the stone at the last possible moment. Though she was successful, Thanos was able to reverse things with the Time Stone and claim his prize. 

Why Thanos won

On the flip-side, Thanos wins in Infinity War because he was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve his goal and wipe out half of all life. Thanos' relentless conviction drives him to do the worst things imaginable in pursuit of balance. He conquers planets, kills half the population, submits his adopted children to physical, emotional, and psychological torture, and even pushed his daughter off a cliff to obtain the Soul Stone. Thanos justifies his behavior by believing his actions will restore order in the universe. His experience on his homeworld lead him to believe it was his destiny to spare the universe of a similar fate. In Endgame, Thanos remains devoted to his cause by destroying the stones so his work can't be undone. Even when the past version of Thanos learns of his fate, he's dedicated to the cause.

Doing Whatever It Takes To Avenge The Fallen

A recurring message in the Endgame marketing campaign has been that the Avengers were setting out to do "whatever it takes" to defeat Thanos and bring back everyone who was lost to the snap. It's only once they've lost that they truly understand what was at stake. Sure, they knew of Thanos' intentions, but they didn't think he'd actually wipe out half the universe and instantaneously disintegrate their loved ones right in front of them. Like Nick Fury says in The Avengers, "They needed the push." They're called the Avengers, but this is the first time they're actually avenging.

Atonement and reconciliation are more powerful motivators. The bitter sting of defeat has strengthened their resolve, and this time the Avengers know they must be willing to put everything on the line to possibly emerge victoriously. This time around, the team takes risks whenever, wherever, and however they can. The group collectively risk their lives by embarking on the time-travel venture and later standing against Thanos' armies to defend the gauntlet and restored order. Then, the core six team members individually jeopardize their desires for a chance at repairing the universe.

Tony sacrifices a peaceful existence with his newfound family to ensure their survival and Thanos' defeat. On top of that, he sets aside his resentment towards Steve and returns the shield because he recognizes trust and teamwork will be required to possibly pull this off. Steve leaves behind an opportunity to reunite with the love of his life so he and Tony can return to the present with the Tesseract and he can see the mission through to the end.

Thor also abandons an opportunity to dwell in the past before the destruction of his family, friends, and Asgard. Everything Thor's lost is in front of him, but he leaves because he's needed in the future. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner risks everything by wearing the Infinity Gauntlet and snapping his fingers to bring everyone back. Fortunately, the deed did nothing more than severely char his arm, but Banner was unsure whether Hulk would survive nonetheless.

Lastly, Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton are both willing to sacrifice their lives on Vormir so the other may live to collect the Soul Stone and hopefully correct things. Considering they're assassins, they each have several sins to atone for. Barton knows that he went off the rails during his time as Ronin and is unsure he can face his family. Meanwhile, Romanoff wants Barton to have that opportunity. After all, we're told in The Avengers he made the call not to eliminate her as ordered and instead recommended she be recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. She's finally returning the favor.

I've seen complaints that Black Widow "deserved better." Well, none of these heroes "deserve" to die. However, that doesn't render their sacrifices meaningless. If anything, Natasha's sacrifice is just as meaningful and earned as Tony's. Both are irreversible, imperative to eventually defeating Thanos, and cap off their arcs beautifully. Throughout these films, Romanoff found a sense of belonging and purpose with the Avengers. Despite all she's done, she was welcomed and accepted by the Avengers. Her entire arc is based on atoning for her past. Wiping out the red in her ledger. Now that she has the chance to contribute, why should she step aside and let her friend kill himself? Why should her choice to lay down her life mean less on account of the character's gender? It shouldn't... Black Widow's death is earned because she's given everything she can to this cause and this is the ultimate atonement. To quote Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger concerning his repeated attempts to enlist in World War II, "There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them." Why should that statement not apply to Black Widow?

Conclusion

Revisiting my earlier observation, the lessons learned in Infinity War are imperative to the outcome in Endgame. Naturally, that should be the case for a two-part story, but these films pair nicely in spite of differing approaches. Where Infinity War focused on plot and spectacle, Endgame is more of a character-driven finale. Infinity War seems out-of-this-world while Endgame remains grounded amidst characters traveling through time and space. The through-line of sacrifice ties them together very well, and everything lost in Infinity War casts a shadow of dread over Endgame which brings the heroes down-to-Earth more so than any previous entry. Hope, unity, and sacrifice lead them to victory. The Avengers win in the end because they persisted in the face of ultimate adversity, fought together, and were willing to lay down their lives when the time was right. They were willing to do whatever it takes.

'Avengers: Endgame' Review

Sincerest apologies for the delay on this review, as I understand it's probably one many of you were looking forward to reading, but there were some final school assignments and other miscellaneous obligations which required my attention. However, waiting this long has allowed me a chance to see the film a second time and given my thoughts time to marinate. Even though I'm sure many of you reading this have already seen the film, I will refrain from discussing spoilers or anything not shown in the marketing material for the sake of those who haven't watched it yet. To compensate for what will surely be a vague review, I'm going to write a spoiler-filled article later this weekend on why I believe Endgame is an excellent companion piece to Infinity War. Without further ado, let's get this show on the road!

'Avengers: Endgame' Review

Nominated For: Best Visual Effects.

Synopsis: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more to figure out a way to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe.

Runtime: 181 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language)


Who should see it? Marvel fans of all ages.

As the fourth Marvel film directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (known to many as the Russo Brothers) and featuring a screenplay from Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Avengers: Endgame is an unprecedented achievement. Like Infinity War, Endgame is also the cinematic culmination of several years of storytelling. Only this time, it's a closing chapter for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and some of its more prominent characters. Though the MCU will likely continue for years to come (with Spider-Man: Far From Home only two months away), Endgame is a satisfying conclusion for the journey Marvel has taken audiences for the last eleven years and twenty-two films. 

Where Infinity War focused on plot and spectacle, Endgame is more of a character-driven finale that seeks to resolve as many lingering plot threads and character arcs as it possibly can. For the first time, our heroes failed (semantics aside). Thanos won, and half of the universe was turned to dust. These characters were then helpless to watch as their loved ones disintegrate in front of their very eyes and, as you'll see in Endgame, they each handle that remorse in different ways. As a result, these characters are the most vulnerable, human, and down-to-earth audiences have seen since their respective origins. But one thing's for sure. If they can't protect half of the universe, you can be damn sure they'll do whatever it takes to avenge it. Believe it or not, but this is the first Avengers installment that involves any genuine attempt at "avenging." Before, they tried to prevent disaster. This time, it's already struck. 

So you're probably wondering what their next course of action is going to be, as the marketing left the details of their mission purposefully unclear. In the year following that heart-stopping cliff-hanger, fans have speculated relentlessly about how the Avengers would bring everyone back. I won't disclose the answer because I think it's one best discovered for oneself, but don't allow your own expectations to interfere with your enjoyment of the direction Markus, McFeely, and the Russo Brothers choose to take these characters. Let the filmmakers guide you on the journey they deem best for the story before you compare it to what you'd hoped to see. I say this because I'm noticing more and more fanbases become narrow-minded about storytelling having to meet their individual needs and desires. 

So, as I'm sure many of you have figured out by now, I quite literally can't discuss the plot of the film without spoiling something. The marketing for this film has been so secretive that it mostly features footage from the first twenty minutes of the movie, with everything other shot carefully selected to not reveal much of anything about the story. With that in mind, there are many twists and turns that I didn't really expect. As I mentioned, go along for the ride for your first watch. If there's a choice that didn't work for you, that's totally okay. There were a few things I wasn't 100% on board with as well. Those being where they chose to take Thor's character and some nitpicky spoiler-related complaints I've since retracted due to thorough and insightful answers from the Russos in a recent Q&A. 

To address the aspect of Thor's character which I didn't like, I can't elaborate on what annoyed me without spoiling the movie. Don't worry! I'm not going to do that, but this paragraph will probably seem vague to those who haven't watched Endgame yet. Those who have seen it probably know precisely what I'm talking about... I'll say that I appreciated the intent behind Thor's character arc, but I felt there was a change incorporated mostly for shock value and comedy that quickly grew old. I liked the idea, but wasn't keen on the execution and think it could have been handled more tastefully. Considering that's one of my few nitpicks about a movie of this scale goes to show just how impressed I was overall.

I haven't really mentioned action yet, and that's because it comes in small doses till the INSANE third act confrontation. This battle is absolutely sensational and delivers many of the best moments of grand spectacle throughout the entire MCU. Some of these may be shrugged aside as pure fan service, but I don't care... This movie is a conclusion to a twenty-two movie story. Of course, there was going to be fan service and rightfully so! None of it obnoxiously caters to fans, and it serves the narrative quite well. Now, the MCU has gotten plenty of flack from film fans for some flat color grading, unmemorable music, and focus on furthering the overall narrative. I disagree with some of those points but acknowledge there's always been room for improvement. Endgame corrected that for me.

Concerning the film's technical prowess, Avengers: Endgame is the Russos' most confident film. Their consistent cinematographer Trent Opaloch has delivered imagery that will stand the test of time as some of the most iconic shots ever to grace the MCU. Since they've had over a year to polish the visual effects, I didn't notice particular instances of lackluster digital effects on either of my viewings and the CGI is truly remarkable from start-to-finish! Then, I've gotta acknowledge Alan Silvestri who's composed a sweeping score full of leitmotifs referencing prior MCU installments and epic new arrangements. The best moments in this movie would be meaningless without his score, and "Portals" is legitimately one of the coolest pieces of music I've ever heard (especially in a Marvel movie). Go to Spotify and listen once you've watched Endgame. You won't regret it since it accompanies one of the coolest scenes in the entire film. 

If I were to address every actor present in Endgame, this review would be ridiculously long. Even though Thanos did me a favor by whittling down the cast, there's still a large, leftover ensemble. I'm going to devote a few sentences to Thanos and each of the original six Avengers, but would be remiss not to mention Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Brie Larson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danai Gurira who once again portray their respective roles to the fullest whenever onscreen! Simply because I feel he's gone overlooked in the Endgame discourse, I'd like to highlight Paul Rudd for showcasing some stellar dramatic chops. He, of course, was cast as Ant-Man because of his comedic sensibilities, but it was refreshing to see another side of the actor beyond being a quip-machine.

Of the six, it only makes sense to begin with the one who started it all... Iron Man revitalized Robert Downey Jr. in the pop-culture consciousness, and the actor's embodied Tony Stark across nine movies now, so it's no surprise that Downey once again knocks it out of the park. Downey digs deep into the story's core and goes all in concerning the character's comedic and dramatic beats. I'm not exaggerating when I say this may just be a career-best performance. 

Second up is my favorite Avenger, the star-spangled man with a plan. I felt Steve Rogers was handled PERFECTLY in this film, and cannot overstate how satisfied I was with his arc. In Endgame, Chris Evans exhibits a ruthlessness previously unseen from the character as he's willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Captain America is sometimes ridiculed for being a patriotic pantheon, but Evans skillfully encapsulates Roger's virtue and conviction to the point I'm unsure any actor would be able to match Evans should Marvel choose to later reboot or recast. 

I've spoken my piece on Thor's character in this entry, but I still must commend Chris Hemsworth for committing to the bold new direction the Russos have taken the character in spite of my issues. Hemsworth really sells his moments of emotional vulnerability considering Thor's not in the best headspace after everything he's endured. 

Next up is Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. I'll just say the Russos swung for the fences with a new take on Hulk that you'll either enjoy or detest. I personally liked it, though I'm not particularly invested in the Hulk as a character. It's campy for sure, and I don't think I can describe it beyond that without spoiling things. 

Rounding out the team are Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner, who each depict perhaps the most undervalued Avengers, Black Widow and Hawkeye. You'd expect that their characters would feel irrelevant when the heroes are facing insurmountable odds in the form of Thanos and his intergalactic armies, but the filmmakers find an essential narrative purpose for the two of them. Thanks to prior MCU entries, Johansson and Renner already have a great rapport with one another, and that established dynamic comes into play in a meaningful way. 

Last but not least, there's the big bad himself. Thanos is portrayed via motion capture by Josh Brolin and, though the film isn't centered around him like Infinity War, Brolin leaves just as large of an impression and cements himself as one of the best MCU villains. Just keep in mind that Thanos has a reduced role compared to Infinity War. 

Of the 14,000,605 versions of Endgame Doctor Strange saw in Infinity War, I believe this was the best possible outcome. It brings the original Avengers' arcs to an emotional ending which I was abundantly satisfied and heartbroken to see. Though this sentiment won't mean much till you've watched it, I love Avengers: Endgame 3,000. 

Film Assessment: A+ A-

Recollection Reflection Review: 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation'

I'm cutting it a little close, but I just finished my Mission: Impossible series rewatch the Thursday morning of my Mission: Impossible - Fallout screening. Keep in mind that means it's likely this review and my Fallout review may not be published for a day or two, but I'll try and get them out as soon as I possibly can. I've also promised a review of Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, and that will come in due time, but I'm prioritizing Mission: Impossible content for the time being. Additionally, I will be sharing my thoughts on You Were Never Really Here and Love, Simon sometime before my post disclosing my best and worst films of the year so far. I've also decided to push that post back to give my other reviews some breathing room. I currently am unsure of my review plans for August, but I'll disclose that shortly.

'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' Review

Recollection- Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation Review

Reflection- When I first saw Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation in the summer of 2015, it narrowly beat out Ghost Protocol as my new favorite in the franchise. Surprisingly, I haven't really revisited it since then... I don't really have much reason as to why not, but I suppose it's because I simply never got around to it. Anyways, I thought it would be fun to re-evaluate this installment and see if my preference over Ghost Protocol held true.

Review- With the IMF disbanded, the team now faces off against a network of highly skilled special agents known as the Syndicate. These highly trained operatives are hellbent on creative a new world order through an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation escorts Ethan Hunt as he gathers his team and joins forces with the shifty, disavowed British intelligence agent Ilsa Faust as the group faces their most impossible mission yet.

Taking the Mission: Impossible baton from Brad Bird, Christopher McQuarrie stepped in to steer the franchise in a new direction. McQuarrie's become a frequent collaborator with Tom Cruise in recent years, so it's really not that surprising that he was enlisted to helm Rogue Nation and then stuck around to write and direct Fallout as well. In doing so, he may have broken a series tradition in which each successive film was lead by a different director. You'll have to wait till I'm finished writing that review to find out if I felt it was worth it, but till then, we can discuss McQuarrie's work here.

With Rogue Nation, McQuarrie blends the mystery and intrigue of old school espionage with the thrilling stunts and character deconstruction found in contemporary spy outings. In doing so, this is the first entry in the franchise that's dared to question Ethan's sanity, although longtime viewers may have already done so as they've witnessed Tom Cruise actually attempt some INSANE stunts. Rogue Nation essentially offers the best elements of each prior installment, and McQuarrie seems to have been inspired to tribute hallmarks of cinema as well. The high speed chase through Casablanca and a Hitchcockian game of cat-and-mouse in the third act indicate this might be the case. 

As for action, the stunning set pieces included in Rogue Nation are incredibly varied from one another and among the very best the series has to offer. There's everything from an elegant throw-down at the Vienna Opera House to a high-octane motorcycle chase through Casablanca. Also prominently featured are a plane sequence that lifts off almost immediately, a cat-and-mouse chase through the streets of London, and a heist that's a bit of a deep dive. 

Cruise's notable stunt this time around was clinging to the side of an A400M plane as it ascended. If you didn't already know, Cruise performs his own stunts so he actually did this (this stunt in particular was HEAVILY publicized). There were safety measures in place of course, but I don't think that makes the feat any less insane or impressive. The sequence itself happens right at the start, kicking off the film with an abundance of jet fuel and gusto. 

Like its predecessor, Rogue Nation is a franchise addition which caters to its ensemble. Once again, Tom Cruise lights up the screen as a hero worth rooting for. Cruise is synonymous with Hunt these days, and he persists as a force to be reckoned with. His charisma and cool attitude prove to be just as potent as Hunt himself. Returning cast members include Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, and Ving Rhames who reprise their respective roles as Benji, Brandt, and Luther. All three make the most of every moment onscreen, but Renner and Rhames have notably smaller parts than the rest of the cast. In regards to newcomers, there's two I'll touch on in a second, but Alec Baldwin bodes well in the role of CIA director Alan Hunley, delivering the dialogue "Sir, Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny." like nobody else.

Meanwhile, the big takeaway was (and still is) undoubtedly Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust. Ferguson depicts the characters as a femme fatale with unclear allegiances, but she dominates every action sequences in which she appears. She's elusive, deadly, and an equal to Hunt who stands apart as her own intriguing individual.

In the antagonistic camp, Sean Harris certainly makes himself known as a villain worth fearing. Harris' Solomon Lane is soft-spoken, but he still manages to be both menacing, twisted, and unpredictable in his approach to the role. There aren't as many villains as subtle as this nowadays, so that makes the performance all the more fascinating.  

At the end of the day, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation zooms on by as a top-notch entry in the franchise that's thrilling, layered, and able to slightly surpass every installment that came before it.

Film Assessment: A

Recollection Reflection Review: 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'

As of writing this, I've just seen Mission: Impossible - Fallout. I came in right under the wire for my series rewatch as I finished them all the morning of my Fallout screening. The implications being that I'm reviewing the final three films in order of release (Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, then Fallout). Expect to see all these reviews online within the next few days. I've also promised a review of Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, and that will come in due time, but I'm prioritizing Mission: Impossible content for the time being. Additionally, I will be likely be sharing my thoughts on You Were Never Really Here and Love, Simon sometime before my post disclosing my best and worst films of the year so far. I've also decided to push that post back one last time to give my other reviews some breathing room.

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' Review

Recollection- Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Review

Reflection- Believe it or not, but Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol was actually the first Mission: Impossible I saw in theaters. When it came out in December of 2011, I had never seen one. Therefore, I wound up marathoning them all at home with family before heading out to see Ghost Protocol. From that day on, I've been a huge fan of the franchise...

Review- Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government while the president initiates the Ghost Protocol. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol then accompanies Hunt and his team as they're forced to go off the grid and clear the agency's name by preventing another attack.

As the fourth franchise installment, Ghost Protocol carried on the series' trend of enlisting fresh blood to direct. In this scenario, Brad Bird was brought up to the blockbuster big leagues having previously only directed animated films (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille). For his live action debut, Bird made one hell of an impression though... It's been seven years and many still consider Ghost Protocol to be their favorite in the franchise for good reason. This isn't all too surprising when you consider the exceptional work already under his belt at the time, but it goes to show that it's possible to stick the landing while making the leap to live action from an extensive background in animation.

Like those who came before him, Bird understands the inner workings of this franchise, so he amplifies those elements while offering his own unique style and sensibility as a filmmaker. Working with a screenplay penned by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, Bird ensures the action is propulsive with a never-ending sense of urgency. It moves at a quick pace, but that's totally in the film's favor because the two hours and twelve minutes fly by in the blink of an eye. 

The action's always on the move in conjunction with the plot. It does so without feeling rushed because you're entirely invested in the outcome as an extension of caring for the characters. You can feel the weight of the world on their shoulders because Bird and his crew do an exceptional job at communicating the dire circumstances facing this team. 

This installment also has some of the franchise's niftiest gadgets and gizmos, but there's a recurring bit where their devices malfunction mid-mission. In turn, the set pieces are all the more enthralling due to the uncertain reliability of the team's gear. On occasion, action flicks can be bogged down by mundane exposition on rewatch, but even the exposition in Ghost Protocol is quite exciting after all this time! The demonstrations of the tech are handled in such a way that they're interesting to watch as well as being informative. You're simultaneously wowed by the tools at the team's disposal and intrigued at discovering exactly how they function. It's a tricky balance, but Bird pulls it off.

For Cruise's ludicrous stunt, this time around he decided to actually scale the world's tallest structure (2,717 feet tall). The Burj Khalifa sequence still ranks among the series' strongest set pieces because Bird and his crew film it in such a way that it feels like you're hanging onto the skyscraper with Cruise. While Cruise himself may have been suspended by some cables while filming, Hunt is free climbing the hotel with defective adhesive gloves. There's an impending sense of dread that he could fall at any moment, and he actually does a few times only to get a hold moments before a fatal plummet... By then, your heart's leapt out of your chest and the hairs on your arm are firmly at attention. 

And I haven't even properly recognized the wonderful work from cinematographer Robert Elswit, editor Paul Hirsch, composer Michael Giacchino, the sound designers, production designers, visual effects artists, and stunt coordinators. It still perplexes me that no entry in this franchise has at least been recognized with an Oscar nomination in the technical categories because the crew does such exceptional work here, proving to be among the best in their respective fields. I suppose it could be the blockbuster stigma, but Transformers: Dark of the Moon was nominated over this for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects... While I'll admit to enjoying that film more than most, that's undeniably one of the Academy's worst cardinal sins... Right next to La La Land losing out Best Picture after mistakenly being announced as the winner a year and a half ago. You can bet I'm still bitter about it too.

Another interesting aspect of Ghost Protocol is that it's much more of an ensemble piece than previous efforts. It's certainly still lead by Tom Cruise, but it fleshes out the supporting cast like no prior entry in the series and the mission requires an all-around team effort this time. Cruise is charming and cool in the role of Ethan Hunt as per usual, but he pushes himself even harder in regards to the physicality of his performance. He infamously does his own stunts and really put himself through the wringer on this one. By his side, Simon Pegg's Benji has a more prominent role than he did in Mission: Impossible III (providing most of the comedic relief) while Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner are the new recruits. Both Patton and Renner leave a favorable impression in regards to playing interesting allies, but only Renner has reprised his role in a later film thus far. Meanwhile, Michael Nyqvist's Hendricks is an antagonist with a strong screen presence, but ultimately lacks enough characterization or screentime to leave much of an impression.

It's a testament to the quality of Ghost Protocol that it still stands out in an action franchise that's as consistently entertaining as Mission: Impossible. Seven years later, and it's still clinging on as one of the series' best. 

Film Assessment: A

'Tag' (2018) Review

Tag follows a group of friends who have been playing the same game tag for over 30 years. The five highly competitive friends annually travel across the country, willing to go to whatever lengths lengths necessary to tag one another so they can keep the game and their friendship alive. However, when the untaggable Jerry is looking to settle down and get married, the group see it as their golden opportunity to finally pin him down and tag him once and for all. 

Tag's premise is as about as zany as it gets, so it may surprise you to learn Tag is actually based on a true story (stick around through the beginning of the credits to see some footage of the real life friend group that inspired this film). Jeff Tomsic directs Tag as his first feature film while Mark Steilen wrote the screen story based on the Wall Street Journal article "It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It" in addition to penning the screenplay alongside Rob McKittrick. As a comedy first and foremost, Tag needed to deliver plenty of laughs to be deemed a worthwhile venture, and I feel it was successful on that front as I hardly stopped laughing once the over-the-top hilarity ensued. 

The extremes which these adult men are willing to go to in order to tag one another is funny in-of-itself, but Tomsic continually escalates the action to another level when things go full slo-mo and Jerry analyzes his friend's sloppy tactics with an inner monologue before thwarting their futile efforts to tag him. Just combine the fast reflexes of Neo, Spider-Man, and Guy Richie's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes and you've got Jeremy Renner's Jerry. Renner may have played a super-spy, government agent, and an Avenger elsewhere, but Jerry would probably wipe the floor in a brawl with Aaron Cross, William Brandt, and Hawkeye because the skillset of those characters doesn't come close to Jerry's. And that's precisely what made Tag such an enjoyable movie-going experience. It over-exaggerates the events to such an absurd degree that you'll have a difficult time keeping a straight face. The physical comedy is far-and-away what will leave you rolling over in laughter, but Steilen and McKittrick's script is full of some clever zingers as well. 

While the core concept of Tag is really ridiculous and ripe for comedy, I was glad to see the writers didn't forget to bestow Tag with a beating heart amidst all the insanity. At its core, Tag is about the value of friendship and how games ultimately bring friends closer together and I found that message ideal for such a crazy comedy. The cast's commitment to the absurdity makes a huge difference though, as the silly premise is certainly elevated by their willingness to let their inner child come out and play. Renner got so into it that he wound up breaking both his arms on set, wearing green sleeves for his arms to be digitally recreated with CGI in post-production. I kept my eyes open for any noticeably uncanny arms along the lines of Henry Cavill's mustache-less mouth in Justice League, but I didn't catch anything so I suppose that's a good thing? Regardless, these behind-the-scenes CG-stories just keep getting stranger and stranger. 

The ensemble functions as a tight-knit group and have convincing enough chemistry for you to believe these characters grew up together. Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, and Hannibal Buress each attribute the proper personality to their respective roles and bounce lines off one another quite well. Helms is the every man, Hamm plays the cool business tycoon, Johnson is down-on-his-luck stoner, and Buress is the calm, collected awkward one. Though even outside the bro group, Isla Fisher manages to be a highlight as Hoagie's hyper-competitive wife. 

However, it's fittingly Jeremy Renner who runs away as the Most Valuable Player in this game. Renner delights in playing the all-star player and he bestows Jerry with a mischievous attitude viewers will relish in watching! 

Despite the all ages appeal of the game its based on, it should be known that Tag is not a film for the family. While it doesn't push the envelope of the "R" rating, the film's still raunchy. Regardless of that, Tag is truly a riotous time at the theater and the funniest film I've seen all year! Now that you've read this review, you're officially "it." I humbly request you see the film and tag someone else with your opinion to keep the game going!... And no tag backs of course!

Film Assessment: A