The Mission: Impossible series defies the trend and continues to get better with every sequel!

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2015)

Typically film series that churn out sequel after sequel end up with weak, watered-down remnants of what once was. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, the fifth installment in the Mission: Impossible series, continues to defy this trend. Not only is this a great addition to the Mission: Impossible series; it might be the best one yet.
Tom Cruise delivers yet another exemplary performance displaying what the world's greatest action star has to offer. The film starts off with another one of Cruise's almost-too-crazy-to-watch stunts by running across the top of and eventually riding on the side of an airplane as it takes off. He rides this high throughout the rest of the film during shootouts, car chases, fist-fights, and more. It doesn't take an expert to tell that he put 110% into this role.
While every member of Cruise's supporting cast delivers a solid performance, the one performance worth noting definitely belongs to Rebecca Ferguson. Everyone talks about Cruise performing his own stunts, but did you know that she performed her own as well? She was also equally as tough and intelligent as Cruise throughout the course of the film. Her character even avoided falling into a romantic relationship with Cruise, a common cliché that often ruins female costars in action films. Simon Pegg's role was also expanded from the last two films. His jokes always delivered, and he even contributed a bit in the field!
The villain is nearly as important as the spy or super hero in any given film. Solomon Lane, portrayed by Sean Harris, isn't a revolutionary or unique character, but his believably and coldness make him into a menacing villain. I was particularly fond of the more subtle details that made this character so intimidating, mainly the eye twitching that would develop whenever a particularly difficult situation would present itself or the soft, rage-filled cheek stroke he gave Ferguson in his second most enraged moment.
The scene that stands out the most isn't the over-advertised "plane ride" or appropriately under-advertised underwater stunt. Without spoiling too much, Hunt is put up against three well-trained snipers in an opera. The cinematography is top-notch, the action is in perfect synchronization with the music, and the tension only worsens much to our delight. It's easily one of my favorite scenes from the entire series.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation is a high-octane action thriller that doesn't rely as heavily on spectacle over substance despite what the trailers might advertise. The writing and plot are both sound and unpredictable, the acting is top-notch, and the action is entertaining as always. This film delivers in every facet of the game.