A perfect mix of first MI film and Ghost Protocol.

Rating: 8/10 (10 August 2015)

Being the FIFTH part of a franchise, initially I had some doubts about this film. But after seeing the good reception it got, my hopes were up and rightfully so.
Rogue Nation continues off from where Ghost Protocol left, with Ethan Hunt getting a new mission to take down the rogue spy agency called the Syndicate. Tom Cruise is well, Tom Cruise. He was awesome yet again. The one that was surprisingly great was the female lead, Rebecca Ferguson. She acted great, she was sexy, she was lethal and she was a total badass. Best MI girl to date. Her chemistry with Tom Cruise was also great and it is one of those VERY rare times where I ACTUALLY liked the romance/lovey dovey subplot. Movie handled it very well. It wasn't prolonged or anything, it wasn't cheesy or clichéd or typical, it was just right.
The supporting cast was also great. Simon Pegg's character once again showed how to handle comic relief properly in a movie. He was funny, he was awesome and he wasn't just there to make us laugh. I was disappointed that in Ghost Protocol, Ving Rhames only had a small cameo but gladly he returns here properly. I always loved his character and this time it was no different. Jeremy Renner also returns, and gets a less action role, but is still great. The team dynamic, one of the best things about this series, was strong as ever in this part.
This franchise, however, always struggled with its villain and it happened yet again this time. He wasn't bad or anything, but I just felt like the mysterious and a match for Ethan hunt feel they were going for/hoping for didn't work for me. And the his voice definitely didn't help. Philip Seymour Hoffman (R.I.P) in MI3 remains the best villain.
Now, the movie felt like a perfect mixture of two of my favourite Mission Impossible films, first part and Ghost protocol. It had the humor, action and epic feeling of MI4 and the more focus on espionage and mystery of the MI1. The action scenes were awesome. The break-in scenes were tense and gripping. The hand to hand combat had impact and were well handled. And the stunt work was amazing. No MI movie is complete without at least one scene containing cruise in some crazy stunt and this was no exception. He hung on the outside of a plane while it took off, and the dude is in his 50s, I mean WOW.
The humor was well handled here, just like it was in Ghost Protocol. They didn't overuse it or mistimed it. Some of it was just too good. I laughed out loud a time or two.
Overall, this might very well be my favourite MI film so far. One of the best film of this year. A MUST WATCH!!
8.5/10