19 Years And Counting

Rating: 7/10 (2 August 2015)

The first Mission: Impossible movie I ever saw was Ghost Protocol. I left the theater exhilarated, and as I waited for Rogue Nation to make its big-screen debut, I watched the three other films in the series. Now, having seen Rogue Nation, I can easily say that it is one of the series' best films, and almost matches the high bar that Ghost Protocol set a couple years back. What makes the Mission: Impossible series so distinct is that each film has had a different director, making them all feel unique and fresh. Surely, it's a given that some of the directors have been better than others, but Christopher McQuarrie, the director of this fifth entry, manages to craft a slick film that is better than it has any right to be.
Set shortly after Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation continues the ongoing spy escapades of IMF agent Ethan Hunt, as he searches for evidence of a criminal organization known as the Syndicate. Hunt is suddenly caught by the same people he is looking for, but escapes from being killed with the help of Syndicate member Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson, replacing Paula Patton as our lead female) and the stage is set for another globe- trotting adventure, as Hunt is cut off from the now defunct IMF and is left on his own. With Rogue Nation, Tom Cruise continues to prove that there isn't an action star in Hollywood quite like him. Even though he's 53 years old, Cruise continues to be do many of his own stunts, with the results being quite spectacular. The airplane stunt featured in many of the film's promotional materials is simply incredible, even if it doesn't quite top the Burj Khalifa setpiece of the previous film.
Apart from Cruise, the rest of the cast is also quite stellar. Ferguson makes for a compelling presence on the screen opposite Cruise and I hope she bucks the trend of each Mission: Impossible film having a different leading lady by appearing in the inevitable Mission: Impossible 6. Simon Pegg continues to steal every scene he's in as computer expert Benji. The unusual pairing of Jeremy Renner and Ving Rhames also works to a surprising degree, as the two of them play off each other very well. Alec Baldwin also gets a few moments of greatness in his small role as the director of the CIA. Sean Harris, who plays the film's villain, Solomon Lane, also gives a solid performance. However, his performance is undercut by one of the film's weaknesses - his character simply isn't that developed. Harris does the best with what he's given, but what's given isn't enough. However, he isn't the worst villain in the franchise, for that honor still belongs to Dougray Scott's from Mission: Impossible II.
On the flip side, Christopher McQuarrie does a great job pulling double-duty by having both written and directed the film. His direction is precise and he keeps the tension throughout, especially during the film's action sequences, which always manage to impress. In particular, a motorcycle chase through Morocco is a highlight. Robert Elswit's cinematography takes advantage of the film's spectacular vistas and locations, and McQuarrie's direction always makes the action easy to follow. His script is simple, yet still has enough twists and turns to prevent the film from ever feeling generic. Sure, plot holes are sure to pop up if one looks closely, but while watching, the film makes us forget about all that. McQuarrie also deserves credit for mixing action and humor successfully, and always keeps the atmosphere fun.
In the end, Rogue Nation proves to be one of the better popcorn flicks of this summer. In my opinion, it doesn't quite match Ghost Protocol, but it didn't leave me disappointed in the slightest. Everyone involved, from the cast to the crew, is at the top of their games here. Filled with humor, action, and spectacle, Rogue Nation proves that even though 19 years have passed since the first Mission: Impossible premiered, the series still hasn't lost a step.