Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) – Review

Where to watch Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

4 Stars

The ageless wonder, Tom Cruise, is back to his high energy antics in his latest slam-bang thrill ride, Mission:Impossible-Rogue Nation. This entry is the strongest ‘spy’ movie since Casino Royale back in 2006. Now, that Bond does more brooding than bashing, Ethan Hunt is back on the job to satisfy that international intrigue itch and send audiences home sedated. This fifth film in the M:I series is an absolute joy to behold, clever and clean in terms of storytelling, editing, and overall execution. Director/writer Christopher McQuarrie does an excellent job behind the camera with assured direction and some brilliant set-pieces.

Facing pressure from the head of the C.I.A. (Alec Baldwin), an oversight committee has voted to disband the entire IMF teams. This leaves Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in hiding, while a new deadlier enemy threat, known as the Syndicate, emerges from the shadows. This rogue squad is a well-financed and powerful group of skilled ex-operatives who are determined to create a new world order, through mounting a series of assassinations and other terrorist activity.

Up against another impossible mission, Ethan recruits his usual team members Benji (Simon Pegg), Brandt (Jermey Renner),and Luther (Ving Rhames) to bring down the network of killers. The gang is joined by Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), a disavowed MI-6 agent who may or may not be a member of the Syndicate.

Rogue Nation is curiously constructed, the first hour is action-heavy, while the second half of the story focuses on character and motivations. Those excepting a slam-bang finale may be surprised to find an ending that is more clever than cataclysmic. It’s not often the fifth film in a series invigorates a franchise, MIRN does that with seeming ease. This is the best movie of the summer.

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson

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