Best films from the franchise

Rating: 8/10 (10 August 2015)

Sleek and stylish, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE movies have been a rage among those who like to get the adrenaline rush watching some of the mind blowing action scenes featuring the charming Tom Cruise. With the last part of the series, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL failing to live up to expectations, let's see what the latest film MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION has in store.
The film starts off with the invincible Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) being assigned an 'impossible' task of retrieving a package from a well guarded plane, by the Head of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) William Brandt along with his partners in crime Benji (Simon Pegg) and his friend Luther (Ving Rhames). After successfully completing the assignment, Ethan Hunt is later hunted down by a group of highly skilled terrorists who torture him to extract information. However, he manages to make an escape with the help of Ilsa Faust, a member of this terrorist group.
On the other hand, IMF is in trouble and Brandt (Jeremy) tries to save IMF by telling the jury about the terrorist organization The Syndicate. But CIA Head Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) refutes the existence of The Syndicate by claiming it as a 'figment of Hunt's imagination'. Moreover, Alan also sends a team to find Ethan Hunt and orders a weekly polygraph test on Hunt's friend Benji (Simon) to discover the whereabouts of Hunt. But, Ethan Hunt goes underground for over six months and manages to contact Benji and invites him to an Opera performance in Vienna. However, the performance leads to a lot of mayhem resulting in the death of prominent personalities and Hunt is once again saved by the mysterious Ilsa. Hunt is termed as an international fugitive after Vienna fiasco and the only way he can save his life is to prove the existence of 'The Syndicates' and his first step in doing so, is by joining hands with the only clue he has, Ilsa! Director Christopher McQuarrie has managed to retain the essence of Mission Impossible with high octane action sequences. Though the first half of the film moves in a slow pace, considering that the film focuses on establishing characters, the movie picks up speed in the second half with its well choreographed chasing sequences. Like any other film in the franchise, this spy-fi too deals with various plots and sub-plots and Christopher manages to keep you hooked to the seat despite the confusing and jumbled storyline.
What MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION also boasts of is some mind blowing performances. It's a well known fact that this is a Cruise film all the way, however, it is Sean Harris as Soloman Lane and Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa who shine in the film. Sean Harris' poker face, villainous attitude and arrogance as the Head of 'The Syndicate' manages to win him brownie points. On the other hand, Rebecca Ferguson is a delight to watch on screen. It is rare to find a woman playing a strong role in a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film but Rebecca pulls off the role of Ilsa confidently and her smooth action moves make her every bit a match for Hunt aka Tom Cruise. Simon Pegg as Benji keeps you entertained with his one liners while Ving Rhames as Luther Stickhall and Jeremy Renner as William Brandt are rather convincing. Though Tom Cruise continues to reign as 'Ethan Hunt', MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION, hails the actor as a kind of superhero with many terming him as a 'manifestation of destiny'. Tom Cruise has been carrying the franchise on his shoulder since the first film and his role as Hunt has now acquired a cult status that comes with too many expectations which when unfulfilled, leaves you with a tad bit of disappointment.
However, despite its minute flaws, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION is high on entertainment quotient. For Tom Cruise fans, the film provides ample of 'edge of the seat moments' and is a visual treat for action lovers.
On the whole, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION will not leave the fans disappointed as it is one of the best films from the franchise. If the chase sequences and gun fights are your thing, then this film is definitely worth a watch.