Ethan’s back and must save the world once again.
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Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team must face the heat from the CIA when a mission goes wrong and they let some plutonium get away. Now they must work with the CIA and their operative, August Walker (Henry Cavill) in order to recover the plutonium before the Apostles and John Lark, an arms dealer. The bad guys have plans to set off simultaneous nuclear bombs in order to bring suffering to the world in order to bring about peace. 

​The sixth movie in the Mission Impossible franchise brings back previous characters (both bad and good) setting up for the big ending. The last 45 minutes of the movie will have you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath to see if Cruise can save the day. Twists about who are really the bad guys will have you wondering why you didn’t see that coming!

​The question of whether it’s better to sacrifice one person to save millions comes up as Ethan must decide to save his men over grabbing the plutonium which sets the events in motion. As well, Ethan must face his biggest former enemy and past love. Both very emotional moments for a character who doesn’t let his feelings get in the way.

​Cruise does many of his own stunts in the movie and actually broke his foot during one of the chase scenes. Surprisingly, movies where Cruise runs more, do better at the box office and this one has a great deal of running. While I’m not a Cruise fan, he brings just the right amount of bravado and swagger to the character of Ethan Hunt. Although there are many instances of “the right circumstances” happening in order to keep the action going. In addition, this was the movie where Henry Cavill grew the mustache which had to be CGI’d out for Justice League re-shoots. The late 70’s lip fur is a nice change of pace for Superman.

​If you are looking for a fun escape from the summer heat, Mission Impossible will entertain. But it’s not necessary to watch on the big screen. Certainly you don’t have to keep up with the previous movies, although you will want to. Otherwise, you are sure to not understand all the key points.

Return to 1979 as Donna sets out to find herself in the sequel to Mamma Mia.
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Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is determined to re-open her mother’s hotel and make it a success after her mother’s death. In the days leading up to the opening, things go wrong—weather, travel and missing loved ones—turn the event into a disaster. Feeling like she’s let her mother down, Sophie wallows in despair. 

​Through flashbacks to 1979, we see Donna (Lily James) set out after her college graduation. She meets up with Harry (Hugh Skinner) in Paris but she’s called by fate to Greece. Along the way, she meets Bill (Josh Dylan) who gives her a lift to the island, Kalokairi, where she ends up staying in a run-down home and meets Sam (Jeremy Irvine), who is escaping his responsibilities back in the US. 

​Each man is one of Sophie’s potential fathers who are determined to get to the grand re-opening. Sam (Pierce Brosnan), who married Donna (Meryl Streep) at the end of Mamma Mia, lives on the island in a home overlooking the hotel. His wife’s death has weighed on him but he’s determined to do anything and everything to help Sophie. Donna’s best friends, Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) return to the villa to kick off the party. Sadly, Sophie’s husband, Sky (Dominic Cooper) is in New York and can’t be there…in fact, he’s been offered a job of a lifetime to stay in New York.

​Sophie’s and Donna’s worlds combine when Sophie finds out she’s pregnant in the same place as her mother. As she grapples with her mother’s loss, the coming baby brings her closer than ever to her mom.

​Featuring more songs by ABBA, Mamma Mia 2 is a grittier story with more emotion than the first one. This one will require tissues! The first movie focused on family and fathers while this movie’s focus is on mothers as we learn more about Donna’s early life. 

​Cher shows up in a cameo which seems forced and not really needed. But hey, it’s Cher. Lily James as a young Donna is entertaining. For fans of the original, there were many secret nods to only things fans will get—twins, spontaneous, Titanic recreations. While many of the songs aren’t as well known, they will quickly become some of your favorites. Two of the members of ABBA even show up in cameos. The musical numbers are fun with strong dance numbers and toe tapping songs. 

There are some continuity issues from the first movie which become glaring when you re-watch the first soon after seeing the second. But that’s what happens when ten years pass between two movies and when writers are forced to use songs to tell a story. Suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. Mamma Mia will appeal to fans of the original. The theater was filled with groups of women out enjoying some camaraderie together, celebrating life.

PS. Be sure to stay for a special after credits scene….way at the end!

Big or small, Antman and the Wasp is a fun movie for summer.
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Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has only three days left on his house arrest after the incident in Germany with the Avengers when Dr. Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter, Hope (Evangeline Lilly) seek him out to help with recovering Dr. Pym’s wife, Janet Van Dyne, (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the Quantum Realm. Caught up in a race against time to rescue Janet, Antman and the Wasp must battle Ghost, a young woman who phases (Ghost) and a smarmy technology dealer, as well as keeping the FBI from finding out the Scott is out of the house.

​Balanced between funny moments, action and heart-warming, Antman and the Wasp is a fun movie for the summer. The whole movie encompasses a few days in Scott’s life as he tries to balance being a father, helping others and starting his own company. The moments with his daughter, Cassie are sure to tug at your heartstrings. But it’s the comedy which steals the movie. From the “Truth Serum” to “Channeling Janet”, the movie will have you laughing out loud.

​With a marvelous cast including Lawrence Fishburn, Michael Pena and Judy Greer, in addition to the stars- Douglas, Rudd, Lilly and Pfeiffer, there are plenty of familiar faces. More serious than the first Antman movie, this sequel ties in nicely to the Infinity War movies and features two after credits’ scenes and a Stan Lee cameo.

​The music reminded me of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies with songs by The Partridge Family The Four Seasons. Viewers of the certain age will be tapping their feet along with the music. Antman and the Wasp leaves you hanging as it segways into the Infinity War movie and possibly sets up what may happen in the future unnamed Infinity War sequel.

​While a fun movie, Antman and the Wasp will appeal to fans of the Marvel Universe more than typical movie goers since they will understand the connections and comments about certain characters. But with a family friendly message, it’s a movie which will appeal to young and old alike.