"Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation" - directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander, America Olivo
Running Time: 132 minutes
Rated: M - some mild violence and profanity
Tom Cruise is pretty much without equal in his ability to get a big budget movie produced.
He has a lot of baggage with his Scientology, odd behaviour at times and the failed marriages but when it comes time to sit down in a cinema seat who cares?
Some do- I don't.
Never have - never will.
I am all about Cruise the film star and Cruise the film producer.
His record speaks for itself.
He has a string of smash hits and even the box office disappointments tend to be good movies.
"Edge of Tomorrow" and "Oblivion" were criminally under-seen for example but both are excellent sci-fi action flicks.
He has done more to support the science fiction genre of late than any other actor I can think of.
But it is his Mission: Impossible movies that have emerged as his big franchise.
Selecting big names to direct from DePalma and Woo to JJ Abrams and Brad Bird he now turns to his "Jack Reacher" director Christopher McQuarrie to helm the fifth in the series.
It follows the hugely (and deservedly) successful "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol".
By my score of the four released so far two have been amazing, one excellent and one weak (3&4, 1 and 2)
Well count "Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation" as another in the 'amazing' category.
This is one of the most exciting, exhilarating big screen spectacles of the year.
And this in a year that has already provided "Jurassic World", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Ant-Man" and the glorious "Mad Max: Fury Road".
This one is right up there.
Smartly writer-director McQuarrie and Producer Cruise don't just try to go bigger and bolder with the follow up to the spectacular "Ghost Protocol".
There are big set pieces but if none of them quite reaches the tension filled (literal) heights of the Burj Khalifa sequence of the last film several of them come painfully close and almost by force of numbers this outdoes Ghost Protocol.
In fact comparisons to previous films prove quite appropriate because in many ways this film is a greatest hits compilation of the previous movies.
In no way do I mean that as a put down.
This one is loaded with action and suspense and many scenes seem to be almost re-enactments of previous sequences on the series.
There is a motorcycle chase that puts the one in MI:2 to shame.
An opera scene and a computer file theft brings to mind the opening and the Cruise dangling in silence scenes from the first Mission: Impossible.
A kinetic hand to hand fight filled with acrobatic kicks and grapples recalls Paula Patton and Lea Seydoux's wonderful bit of biffo from Ghost Protocol.
Just as I thought that the film had pretty much paid homage to each of its predecessors bar one a foot chase began that brought to mind JJ Abrams Mission: Impossible III.
In fact Rogue Nation has enough action that it happily throws in the already famous clinging to a military transport aircraft as it takes off scene right at the start of the movie.
If you are concerned that it is playing its ace card way too early- fear not.
As good as it is it isn't close to the best scene.
I cannot wait for tomorrow night when I see this again on an IMAX screen - just for the wonderfully crafted and superbly shot motorcycle chase.
Action is all well and good and the action in this is certainly top notch.
Under it all however is arguably the best plot yet for this franchise.
Loaded with intrigue and a truly daunting villain this is a cleverly written tale that provides conspiracies galore as Ethan Hunt and what is left of his team try to bring an end to a mysterious syndicate.
Throw in some pressure from Hunt's own side in the form of Alec Baldwin's CIA man bent on ending the IMF and a femme fatale who may or not be a villain and you have quite a ride.
Rebecca Ferguson as said femme fatale is stunningly good.
A beautiful woman who frequently recalls Ingrid Bergman in her heyday she is given plenty to do.
Yeah- she looks gorgeous but the action scenes are where she shines.
Her character has quite the arsenal of deadly hand to hand and legs to throat moves.
She is a key element in that superb motorcycle chase and late in the piece has an action moment that almost made me cheer aloud.
And I love beyond words the frequent and often wonderfully subtle use of segments of Nessun dorma to compliment moments of her appearance. The strains are there with her first appearance by virtue of the Puccini opera being a backdrop but it is the smaller moments with Ethan where its use is most effective.
Further support comes in the form of the familiar Simon Pegg as Benji, Jeremy Renner as Brandt and Ving Rhames as Luther.
They are all firmly part of the team with only Rhames shortchanged on screen time.
Renner does a little better but has the benefit of some delightful banter with Alex Baldwin.
And lest we take Cruise for granted he should be given credit for not only bringing this project together but defying his age with what he puts his body through.
The plot provides ample opportunity for him to be beaten, smashed up, crashed up, shot, chased, drowned and dropped from great heights.
He has great chemistry with Ferguson and clearly enjoys working with Pegg.
I don't know that Cruise gets the credit he deserves for employing some inspired casting choices.
The true architect of it all however is without doubt Christopher McQuarrie.
For anyone who has seen his underrated 2000 movie "The Way of the Gun" his prowess at directing action should come as no surprise.
That film has a great kidnapping sequence and culminates in a shootout that counts as one of the finest I have ever seen.
Here he seemingly effortlessly delivers up a fast paced smorgasbord combining spy movie, action flick and suspense thriller.
All are well served by his script and finely delivered in his direction.
There may be moments when you pick what is about to happen but the plot will keep you guessing all the way through to the end as to who is behind what and who can be trusted.
As much as I loved the third and fourth movies after one viewing I am almost ready to put this one alongside them.
If this is what the franchise is capable of five movies in I say bring on part 6.
For now though we have a compelling reason in "Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation to fork out the cash for a fine big screen spectacle.
See it - it's just great.
RATING: 90 / 100
CONCLUSION: Way better than a fifth movie has any right to be this movie makes me hope that there is more to come. With the second weak film looking like a mere anomaly Mission: Impossible is clearly one of the finest modern film franchises.
Running Time: 132 minutes
Rated: M - some mild violence and profanity
Tom Cruise is pretty much without equal in his ability to get a big budget movie produced.
He has a lot of baggage with his Scientology, odd behaviour at times and the failed marriages but when it comes time to sit down in a cinema seat who cares?
Some do- I don't.
Never have - never will.
I am all about Cruise the film star and Cruise the film producer.
His record speaks for itself.
He has a string of smash hits and even the box office disappointments tend to be good movies.
"Edge of Tomorrow" and "Oblivion" were criminally under-seen for example but both are excellent sci-fi action flicks.
He has done more to support the science fiction genre of late than any other actor I can think of.
But it is his Mission: Impossible movies that have emerged as his big franchise.
Selecting big names to direct from DePalma and Woo to JJ Abrams and Brad Bird he now turns to his "Jack Reacher" director Christopher McQuarrie to helm the fifth in the series.
It follows the hugely (and deservedly) successful "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol".
By my score of the four released so far two have been amazing, one excellent and one weak (3&4, 1 and 2)
 |
| Tom Cruise once again delivers action and intrigue with some stunning sequences and a terrific plot |
This is one of the most exciting, exhilarating big screen spectacles of the year.
And this in a year that has already provided "Jurassic World", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Ant-Man" and the glorious "Mad Max: Fury Road".
This one is right up there.
Smartly writer-director McQuarrie and Producer Cruise don't just try to go bigger and bolder with the follow up to the spectacular "Ghost Protocol".
There are big set pieces but if none of them quite reaches the tension filled (literal) heights of the Burj Khalifa sequence of the last film several of them come painfully close and almost by force of numbers this outdoes Ghost Protocol.
In fact comparisons to previous films prove quite appropriate because in many ways this film is a greatest hits compilation of the previous movies.
In no way do I mean that as a put down.
This one is loaded with action and suspense and many scenes seem to be almost re-enactments of previous sequences on the series.
There is a motorcycle chase that puts the one in MI:2 to shame.
An opera scene and a computer file theft brings to mind the opening and the Cruise dangling in silence scenes from the first Mission: Impossible.
A kinetic hand to hand fight filled with acrobatic kicks and grapples recalls Paula Patton and Lea Seydoux's wonderful bit of biffo from Ghost Protocol.
Just as I thought that the film had pretty much paid homage to each of its predecessors bar one a foot chase began that brought to mind JJ Abrams Mission: Impossible III.
In fact Rogue Nation has enough action that it happily throws in the already famous clinging to a military transport aircraft as it takes off scene right at the start of the movie.
If you are concerned that it is playing its ace card way too early- fear not.
As good as it is it isn't close to the best scene.
I cannot wait for tomorrow night when I see this again on an IMAX screen - just for the wonderfully crafted and superbly shot motorcycle chase.
 |
| The lovely Rebecca Ferguson - providing action galore |
Under it all however is arguably the best plot yet for this franchise.
Loaded with intrigue and a truly daunting villain this is a cleverly written tale that provides conspiracies galore as Ethan Hunt and what is left of his team try to bring an end to a mysterious syndicate.
Throw in some pressure from Hunt's own side in the form of Alec Baldwin's CIA man bent on ending the IMF and a femme fatale who may or not be a villain and you have quite a ride.
Rebecca Ferguson as said femme fatale is stunningly good.
A beautiful woman who frequently recalls Ingrid Bergman in her heyday she is given plenty to do.
Yeah- she looks gorgeous but the action scenes are where she shines.
Her character has quite the arsenal of deadly hand to hand and legs to throat moves.
She is a key element in that superb motorcycle chase and late in the piece has an action moment that almost made me cheer aloud.
And I love beyond words the frequent and often wonderfully subtle use of segments of Nessun dorma to compliment moments of her appearance. The strains are there with her first appearance by virtue of the Puccini opera being a backdrop but it is the smaller moments with Ethan where its use is most effective.
Further support comes in the form of the familiar Simon Pegg as Benji, Jeremy Renner as Brandt and Ving Rhames as Luther.
They are all firmly part of the team with only Rhames shortchanged on screen time.
Renner does a little better but has the benefit of some delightful banter with Alex Baldwin.
And lest we take Cruise for granted he should be given credit for not only bringing this project together but defying his age with what he puts his body through.
The plot provides ample opportunity for him to be beaten, smashed up, crashed up, shot, chased, drowned and dropped from great heights.
He has great chemistry with Ferguson and clearly enjoys working with Pegg.
I don't know that Cruise gets the credit he deserves for employing some inspired casting choices.
 |
| Sean Harris as the chief villain and the old crew Renner, Rhames and Pegg (with Alec Baldwin) |
For anyone who has seen his underrated 2000 movie "The Way of the Gun" his prowess at directing action should come as no surprise.
That film has a great kidnapping sequence and culminates in a shootout that counts as one of the finest I have ever seen.
Here he seemingly effortlessly delivers up a fast paced smorgasbord combining spy movie, action flick and suspense thriller.
All are well served by his script and finely delivered in his direction.
There may be moments when you pick what is about to happen but the plot will keep you guessing all the way through to the end as to who is behind what and who can be trusted.
As much as I loved the third and fourth movies after one viewing I am almost ready to put this one alongside them.
If this is what the franchise is capable of five movies in I say bring on part 6.
For now though we have a compelling reason in "Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation to fork out the cash for a fine big screen spectacle.
See it - it's just great.
WoW! must see!
ReplyDeleteYep- I think you should Thomas - be interested to hear what you think when you do.
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