Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2015)

There are summer blockbusters, and then there are the Mission: Impossible films. I love that the franchise continues to top itself, and doing so without trying to push the envelope to far. This franchise isn't as crazy as say The Fast and Furious franchise, and it's not as serious as the Bond franchise. It finds a perfect balance of realism and absurdity. That balance is probably due to having a new director with a fresh take each and every film. They realized it was pretty hard to top the Burj Khalifa scene in M:I 4, but the stunts and action sequences are just as good. It may not have had the showmanship as that particular scene did, but I don't think an M:I film has ever been so thrilling with wall to wall action. It was also going to be difficult to top Phillip Seymour-Hoffman's villain in M:I 3, and while the villain here doesn't reach the intimate highs that Hoffman had in that film, this baddie does just as much evil being off screen as he does on screen. So I know all film is subjective, and I enjoy almost all of the M:I films, I think Rogue Nation may just be the finest installment yet.
This time out Ethan Hunt and his crew are on the run (or going rogue as they say it) as the IMF is on the Dl after the CIA dissolved them. Everything goes awry when Hunt is captured by Lane's crew but is quickly let go by a mysterious woman by the name of Isla. Let me just say, because I cant wait any longer, where in the world has Rebecca Ferguson been? Or rather, where did she come from? Ferguson plays Isla, and does so marvelously. Most of the film we are left guessing as to which side she truly lies her allegiance with but it really works to the characters benefit. This girl is a complete bada**, and even that doesn't do her justice. I don't know what the plans are for the 6th film, but I sure hope they bring her back. Getting back to Rogue Nation, another reason why this film is one of the best of the summer is it's unpredictability. I loved Ghost Protocol, but after watching it recently, and then now seeing this film, I don't think it holds a candle to Rogue Nation. Even going by the villain here, Solomon Lane, he's a much more maniacal, twisted, psychogenius if you will. But the film has many more surprises in store. I thought by watching all the trailers, and many times I may add, that I would know too much or have seen to much. But I was wrong, there's plenty left to be seen here.
Speaking of which, the major action scene that everyone is talking about is the plane scene shown in all the trailers. I was thrilled and shocked to see that it was only the first few minutes and didn't even play a role in the overall plot. It just goes to show you how much the people behind the film had planned. Another great stunt was the underwater extravaganza where Cruise apparently had to learn how to hold his breath for 6 minutes at a time for shooting. Christopher McQuarrie directed this sequence in such a beautiful and surprisingly quiet manner. I loved his long and virtually silent takes as we watched Ethan Hunt nail yet another mission. But I have to be honest, I think the most thrilling part of the entire film was the motorcycle chase sequence. Talk about a gorgeously shot segment, wow. There are few chase sequences that I legitimately thought they were going the miles per hour that they want us to believe. It's one of the best chase scenes in any film for that matter.
The supporting cast in this film all get their time to shine. Even Ving Rhames, who resigned a few films back, gets his screen-time. Jeremy Renner, Brandt, first introduced in Ghost Protocol, doesn't have much action but still has several memorable moments. He even nailed his comedic moments as well, surprisingly. Simon Pegg is of course back as Benji, and his comedy once again hits the spot and never feels out of place. Alec Baldwin also had a small but pivotal role, and still proved to be one of the highlights of the picture. Seriously, all the performances were really great. I think my only gripe about the film was that sometimes the consequences to action sequences didn't feel real enough. I guess I felt that our characters walked away from danger too easily sometimes. Not on a Fast and Furious level, but close. No matter, the film has an incredible cast and lead villain, the first for the franchise in a few films. Not to mention just how well this film is paced from beginning to end and never feeling too long. I have to hand it to Tom Cruise and the crew. That man is mid 50's now and he may have just carried the best M:I film to date. Regardless, this film is loads of fun and definitely one of the best of the summer.
+Pacing
+Cruise still has it
+Everyone shines
+Great villain
+Fight scenes and action pieces
+Rebecca F'in Ferguson!!!
+Thrill ride from beginning to end
-Maybe a Fast and Furious moment here or there
9.5/10