To be honest, I had not seen the previous movie, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" before "Rogue Nation" because I found myself a little skeptical of the franchise after the second and third films were just OK. However, I'm happy to say that "Rogue Nation" is a fantastic action flick that has restored my faith in the Tom Cruise-led franchise!

 

As the CIA is about to dissolve the IMF due to its seeming negligence and lack of concern for innocent lives, denounced by the CIA chief Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) who wants to disband the force for its reckless behavior, blaming the IMF for the attack on the Kremlin one year earlier, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is closing in on the trail of The Syndicate; a multinational group of ex-operatives (essentially an anti-IMF), intent on bringing down the way things are in the world, set by governments, to return them to the way they once were and at the organization’s discretion on the global stage.

 

Director Christopher McQuarrie brings us a thrilling rollercoaster ride that deftly stitches spectacularly bridged action sequences nicely interspaced with a brilliant story line of finely crafted covert maneuvers that flow and deeply satisfy. While not his first rodeo with Tom Cruise, McQuarrie’s previous work includes directing Cruise in “Jack Reacher” (which he also co-wrote), as well as co-writing “Edge of Tomorrow (Live. Die. Repeat.)”.

 

Returning for another outing is Jeremy Renner as Agent William Brandt, Simon Pegg as tech genius Benji Dunn and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell. Each of these actors’ characters are given some nicely humorous moments amongst the action, which is most welcome in a franchise that has mostly played it straight. We’re talking some good laugh-out-loud moments that do not compromise who they are, yet adds to their charm and appeal. Plus, it’s good to finally see Pegg’s Benji out in the field and getting his hands dirty alongside Cruise, as the two are like agents paired for the majority of the film.

 

Alec Baldwin as CIA chief Alan Hunley is a very welcome addition to the Mission: Impossible franchise, very comfortable in a role that could have been annoying coming from Baldwin’s at-times swagger. Instead, Hunley is a threat to the IMF and Hunt on the American side that never oversteps his place in the story. Simon McBurney is also seethingly intriguing as Attlee, head of MI6, and his motives dubious at best.

 

But it’s Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust, a woman whose allegiance is constantly in question throughout the entire movie, who raises the bar right alongside Tom Cruise in the kick-ass department. She not only holds her own next to the action icon, but by film’s end you definitely want to see her continue in the franchise, which I dearly hope is considered an option.

 

In a true standout role, Sean Harris as Syndicate front man Solomon Lane, last seen most prominently as Fifield, the geologist/scientist in Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus”, should be considered one of the most recent best-realized villains in this type of movie. Lethal and unnervingly unpredictable, Harris’ Lane is a man who speaks softly and calmly, yet brings extreme, almost unbeatable menace to Ethan Hunt’s IMF world.

 

Joe Kraemer’s score is very exciting, while also treating us to addition musical nods to the original “Mission: Impossible” TV series of the 1960’s; also added to “Ghost Protocol”. This was a much-appreciated acknowledgment, whereas such connective orchestral tributes seemed a bit void in “M:I II” and “III”.

 

“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” is excitingly action-packed and engagingly intricate with a few really well played surprises up its sleeve; it’s definitely one of the best movies of the summer!

REVIEW: "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" by David Blanchard

STARRING:

Tom Cruise

Jeremy Renner

Simon Pegg

Rebecca Ferguson

Ving Rhames

Sean Harris

Alec Baldwin

 

DIRECTED BY:

Christopher McQuarrie

 

RELEASE DATE:

July 29, 2015

 

STUDIO:

Paramount Pictures

 

RATED PG-13