Is the hype worth it?--Smarter than average for this genre. An enjoyable and well made film.

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2015)

I had almost accepted the fact that it was too much to ask for a smart, funny, and action-packed movie these days. (I've been a bit disappointed with some recent blockbusters this year, which I enjoyed but know could've been better.) But I was thoroughly happy to be proved wrong when I saw Mission: Impossible--Rogue Nation.
**Tom Cruise gives his 100% as IMF agent Ethan Hunt--fully embracing the role and doing all the stunts. **Benji (Simon Pegg) is funny (didn't expect him to be playing CoD at work). He's juxtaposed well with the slightly cynical and weary Hunt, as he's more naive and not battle-hardened. **Rebecca Ferguson is convincing in her role--she's not frail or weak, she's athletic and actually sort of muscular. She's not overly sexualized, made a love interest, or a victim.
**We get an interesting character in Alec Baldwin's Alan Hunley, director of the CIA--who doesn't trust the IMF. Director Hunley has gravitas, and he has screen presence. You wonder whether or not he's helping the Syndicate. **The villain's motivation could've been better, and I can't even remember his name. **William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and Luther (Ving Rhames) both needed more screen time. They were basically reduced to supporting characters. (If you ask me, that's unfair because Luther has been with the series since the beginning.)
The movie kicks off with a big stunt (apparently done by Cruise himself). Once the action starts, it doesn't let up. Chasing after a MacGuffin and the Syndicate leads Cruise from one location to another, with various members of his team showing up to assist along the way, and enemies on his trail.
If you want to be judgmental, nothing in 'Mission Impossible 5' is over-the-top or mindblowing (in terms of the script and action sequences), but the movie is better than most other films in both of those departments. The script and action scenes are smart, relying more on suspense than eye-candy. Director Christopher McQuarrie succeeds where most have struggled, in terms of balancing a decent script, action, comedy, and characters. The cinematography and editing is well done (as showcased in the Vienna opera scene).
I definitely wouldn't say that 'Rogue Nation' was too predictable or a bore. I really enjoyed myself when I watched the movie. Action, suspense, sharp dialogue (when I say 'sharp', I mean sharper than Ant-Man or Taken 3), and humor make the film a treat. The cast helps give the film a contagious and exhilarating energy. I honestly was surprised by some of the film's twists. (But it should be noted that I'm new to the franchise.)
I think "Rogue Nation" deserves a 10, and not because it's perfect. The villain wasn't as memorable or menacing as he could've been, some characters needed more screen time, and the film was a bit fast- paced in some parts. Nevertheless, it's the closest a 2015 action film has been to a 10 (at least for me). Director Christopher McQuarrie manages to make old tropes feel fun again, and balance a lot of components to make a great, enjoyable film.
I have reviewed 44 movies (on Metacritic and IMDb), some recent ones, including: Fantastic Four (2015), Ant-Man, Minions (Despicable Me spin-off), Avengers: Age of Ultron, Fast and Furious 7, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, Taken 3, and more. I also review TV shows.