Decent popcorn entertainment.

Rating: 6/10 (1 October 2015)

I'm not usually a fan of the Mission Impossible franchise, but Brad Bird's Ghost Protocol was the exception. With inspired creativity and keen timing, it stands as one of the better blockbusters of the decade. Rogue Nation, directed by Christopher McQuarrie who seems to have a significant partnership with Tom Cruise in his post-Usual Suspects days having directed Jack Reacher and written Edge of Tomorrow and Valkyrie, doesn't quite aim for the same mark. It's far from interested in subverting clichés, instead piling them on as quick as possible to make sure we're not too far ahead of the writers. It's not necessarily predictable, but it's not very surprising either, having the whole narrative basically having the heroes in the bad guy's hands. The set pieces are hit and miss, and it usually goes for easy options to solve problems. Unfortunately, the other films in the franchise aren't memorable enough for me to track an arc for Ethan Hunt, as the film desperately wants us to care about Cruise's relationship with Simon Pegg. At least breakout star Rebecca Ferguson is establishing herself very well. It's decent popcorn fluff, with a couple thrills and a few chuckles, but nothing special. More of an excuse to try out some stunts and flex some muscles.
6/10