Ringing the same old mission bells...

Rating: 6/10 (16 January 2018)

I don't watch the MI franchise anymore to make a connection with what was one of my favourite TV programmes growing up. I still like it though when a subtle or sometimes not so subtle reference comes into view but let's face it, I might as well be watching the latest Bourne or Bond for all the difference between these big spy-thriller franchises.
Like Bond or Bourne, it will start with some jaw-droppingly stunning rescue or escape sequence to act as a prelude to the main film which then reveals itself as usually some fiendishly cunning plan by some mad scientist / megalomaniac which sees the team end up in interesting or exotic locations to resolve even if at times it seems impossible, before the big fake-out at the end puts the world back to normal.
Things I liked about this entry; the fast-segment sequence over the still great theme music with scenes you never remember having seen when they eventually arrive in the actual film, the way the age-old "Your mission, should you decide to accept it" introduction sequence was turned on its head, the tried and tested use of masks for masquerade purposes plus some of the stunts were exciting, including the plane-hitching scene-setter, and Ethan's underwater raiding of a security vault. I also liked Jeremy Renner's character in the film and the neat trap sprung on Mr Big which saved the day.
Things I liked less, Simon Pegg's Benjy is starting to grate on me, there was yet another high-speed car chase, this time pitting two wheels against four which had a seen-it-all-before air to it plus of course Tom Cruise as ever runs fit to burst his Fitbit.
Don't get me wrong it was fine to disengage my brain for a couple of hours but I still think the great great TV show of my youth would have been better served by a cogent TV rather than cinematic reboot.