Hugely enjoyable brainless action

Rating: 8/10 (7 August 2015)

Just when the Impossible Mission Force might be making progress towards locating the mysterious Syndicate, the government shuts them down. This leaves Ethan Hunt going rogue, assisted – or possibly obstructed – by the mysterious and beautiful Ilsa Faust.
There is not a great deal in MI5 by way of surprise – the plot is very straightforward, albeit with some uncertainty as to exactly whose side – if any – Ilsa Faust is on – but it is, as usual, full of outrageous action, and hugely improbable security measures to be overcome. The IMF now seems to comprise Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Jeremy Renner – any female members are conspicuous by their absence, and poor old Tom Wilkinson got bombed to oblivion in MI4. Pegg continues to be amusing and gives the films a much-needed lighter side. Renner gets a rough deal in here with not much to do (but he does it very well).
The supporting cast does well, with Sean Harris' odious nasal whisperer a loathsome standout.
So there is no huge substance here, but I never looked at my watch during its 130 minutes.