Compelling sequel

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2018)

The MIF team once again have to go rogue because the CIA threaten to shut them down. But it's down to Ethan Hunt and his team to bring down the shady terrorist organisation known as the Syndicate who have caused death and destruction in the past.
Tom Cruise returns for the 5th entry in the series along with actors Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Jeremy Renner. Rebecca Ferguson makes her debut in the franchise and she has some great scenes from her well choreographed fight scenes to her mysterious demeanour. Jeremy Renner is underused here but he is nevertheless great in the film. Simon Pegg gets some good scenes, his story arc is one of best as he gets put in some sticky situations. He's been a true asset to the team in recent years and it shows a more dramatic side to him. Not to say he doesn't have some funny scenes because he does but they are more subtle and well suited to his character. Simon Pegg needs to be in more serious roles in the future because he's sort of type cast as a comedy actor. Sean Harris is the cold hearted villain pulling the strings. He doesn't get much screen time however he's the best villain since Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie who does an impressive job taking the franchise to more serious levels. It's a film adults will enjoy more so than the kids. It's more darker than the previous film, a lot smarter with no annoying comedic characters, has a lot less CGI and just feels like a genuine Mission Impossible film. The franchise has been going for 20 years and they have somehow managed to make each film progressively better. It's on the same level as the underrated Mission Impossible III which was a very grounded film with realistic characters and great acting but at the same time keeps the elements what made the 1996 original so great.
Much like the very first film it's focused on a compelling story and has some gripping scenes. The only problem is it runs at a slow pace sometimes because the plot isn't always engaging. Even though there are plenty of action scenes to feast on they are very minimal. It's biggest action scene is used in the opening where Tom Cruise clings onto a plane taking off (which of course he actually performed this stunt himself). The cinematography is a bit dark but there are so many memorable shots.
There are a lot of dramatic scenes throughout from an opera assassination attempt to an underwater vault heist. It has an exciting chase sequence throughout the streets of Morocco but it does a fine job mixing the action, drama and suspense which is a refreshing approach to the genre. Nowadays film studios take the easy way out with their action/comedy plots which lack drama.
With Rogue Nation it's very clear that they put the plot before the action. It's intriguing and full of interesting unpredictable characters. The ending is so well done, it's clever with a lot of surprises and doesn't just throw in the standard action packed ending we usually see in these films.