This Franchise Just Keeps On Cruising Along

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2015)

Being a big fan of Ghost Protocol and the entire franchise as a whole, I was very eager to see what Christopher McQuarrie would bring to the M:I franchise. He has already proved himself as a writer with works such as The Usual Suspects and helping with Edge of Tomorrow, but as a director I wasn't yet convinced of his talent... I am now.
Rogue Nation is quite possibly the best entry into the series thus far. The story follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as a wanted man who is attempting to track a rogue agency that is believed to be nonexistent. Simultaneously, Ethan and the rest of the crew are struggling on whether to trust not only each other but a new character, Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson). As with most Mission Impossible movies there are twists and turns along the way to keep the viewer engaged.
For me, the most important part of these kind of blockbusters is how well the action is filmed. In Rogue Nation, every fight, chase, or shootout is shot which such perfection, it brings the audience along and makes them feel like they are part of Tom Cruise's team fighting alongside him. I didn't realize it, but at some points I was gripping my seat from the tension and had to relax my hands. While in the past Ethan Hunt was shown as a super soldier who could easily accomplish any task, in Rogue Nation there are points where e and the audience is unsure of where to turn which makes him seem more human and by extension, more relatable.
As for characters in general, they are as compelling as ever. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt continues to solidify how much of an action star he has become. Simon Pegg remains just as likable as before as Benji Dunn. And Ving Rhames being brought back as Luther was a welcome treat. Despite all of these great actors, I believe that the standout was Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust. Her character was so mysterious, every time she was on the screen, it was so unpredictable which side she was on. Lastly, the villain was very menacing and a worthy counterpart to Ethan Hunt, which was a welcome surprise.
What few problems there are did nothing to affect the overall enjoyment or quality of the film. At some points, the plot seemed a bit too convoluted and one or two parts felt like unnecessary exposition. Although, as stated before none of these problems take away from the spectacle and thrill that is Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.
Overall, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation is an immensely fun time to be had at the theater. It continues to reinforce the freshness of the series and the proves how much of an action star Tom Cruise while also showing potential in others like Rebecca Ferguson. Definitely check this one out if you can.
"Benji, open the door!"