Lackluster Direction

Rating: 6/10 (2 August 2015)

As a huge fan of Tom Cruise, and the entire Mission Impossible franchise, I really wanted to give this movie a better review. I couldn't figure out what was bothering me about it after I saw it, given that it had all the usual elements for a fantastic MI movie. Then it dawned on me that it must be the directing. Then I looked at the director, McQuarrie, and it all made sense. He also directed Jack Reacher, which was almost good, and The Usual Suspects, which was OK.
But time and time again I find that he takes all the elements needed to make a movie sizzle and muddles them together, with characters explaining the action and plot in dialog as it unfolds. It violates the First Commandment of storytelling, which is show, don't tell. I could have enjoyed this movie, I really could. I tried. But McQuarrie just does not have the directing command as say, John Woo, who directed MI2. That's just my honest opinion. I cannot fake enthusiasm. I was truly surprised by the high reviews that Rogue Nation received.
Good date movie. Excellent afternoon killer. But if you are on a budget, wait for video.