Ticks all the right boxes

Rating: 8/10 (17 August 2015)

Rogue Nation pushes all the right buttons. It's exactly what's wanted from the MI franchise, and never tries to surpass that fulfillment. Tom Cruise is leaner and fitter than he's ever been, running faster than the speed of light and performing impressive stunts that top Ghost Protocol. SPOILER, the infamous plane scene smashes us in the face before the title credits roll. The IMF (Impossible Mission Force) has been disbanded by the CIA, forcing Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) on the run. Rogue Nation's a double cat and mouse game, with the CIA searching for Hunt, and Hunt searching for the secret organisation: the Syndicate. The plot's topsy turvy, simple to follow but almost, just almost, pointless. The Syndicate, led by Sean Harris' Solomon Lane, is hell bent on taking out the IMF, or rather, Ethan Hunt, because the CIA already took care of that. Brushing this aside entirely, RN is a blast. It's villain is under cast, but the rest of the compliment Cruise. Simon Pegg is back for another round of wit as the tech-guy, used on the field even more this time. New girl Rebecca Ferguson kicks ass, given more to do than Renner and Baldwin put together. The fifth film in the franchise ticks all the right boxes; great, fast-paced action, high speed chases, novelty gadgets and nerve- wracking stunts. Evennn the face masks make a comeback. Let's hope that Jack Reacher director Christopher McQuarrie handles the next excursion.