Tom Cruise is back as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt in the fifth installment of “Mission: Impossible.” Our action film lover, J.P., has his take on “Rogue Nation.”
“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”
Paramount Pictures
Release date: Friday, July 31
Rated: HAS BEEN RATED PG-13 FOR SEQUENCES OF ACTION AND VIOLENCE, AND BRIEF PARTIAL NUDITY
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, and Ving Rhames
Studio Synopsis:
With the IMF disbanded, and Ethan (Tom Cruise) out in the cold, the team now faces off against a network of highly skilled special agents, the Syndicate. These highly trained operatives are hell-bent on creating a new world order through an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who may or may not be a member of this rogue nation, as the group faces their most impossible mission yet.
J.P.’s Take:
Stylish, action packed, thrilling and intriguing. These words come to mind when watching the “Mission Impossible” film series. From the classic TV series to its humble cinematic beginnings, it has grown leaps and bounds above many action flicks of its kind. You have to give Tom Cruise lots of credit, as his on screen persona has become the consummate spy-agent, similar in vain to James Bond. In addition, like many Bond films you can expect an opening filled with intrigue.
Harkening back to the TV series, writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and story writer Drew Pearce makes suspense center stage, as we find Ethan Hunt (Cruise) on the “hunt” for the illusive crime group, The Syndicate. Taking up where “Ghost Protocol” left off, Hunt is now without the safety net of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) and goes underground to finish the job. Although “Rogue Nation” is slightly less action oriented than “Ghost Protocol,” it does lead us on a spiraling adventure with deepening clues and new twists. Multiple new players also shake things up as Ethan meets the mysterious and deadly Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). We’re given the impression that she’s on Hunt’s side, yet her shady actions say otherwise. Or is she really an agent undercover? There is plenty of double crossing, agent vs. agent interplay transpiring which makes for fantastic suspense.
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Despite some heady plot pieces, which lean on the absurd, you’re never lead astray from the mission at hand. There’s a moment in the film where Hunt learns that finding the syndicates’ master mind Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is his manifest destiny, which smacks of many Bond films.
Even though we only caught glimpses of London, Vienna, Morocco and Paris, these exotic local also become part of the film’s charm. As always, Cruise ups the anti on stunts, as he usually tackles much of the work himself. You’ll remember his daring feat of clinging to the Berj Khalifa hotel in Dubai like “Spider-Man.” This time around, he dangles from an Airbus A400M cargo plain – no stunt double or special effects. It’s all Tom Cruise. However, the most daring scenes stem from an underwater mishap and a couple of video game-styled motorcycle/car chases.
Much of the cast consists of previous members of both “MI: 3” and “Ghost Protocol.” Simon Pegg returns as Benji, whom is given much more to do as Hunt’s sidekick. Ving Rhames reprises his role as Luther Stickell, a computer wiz. Although he’s given little screen time, he’s no less helpful to Ethan Hunt and crew.
Joining the cast is Alec Baldwin, a stuffy hot under the collar CIA director Alan Hunley. He felt right for the role. Jeremy Renner reprises his role as IMF head William Brandt. He’s a willing ally to Ethan Hunt and plays his part in a calm, cool and collected manner. A nice addition to the cast is Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust. She does a great job of shadow play in keeping her identity secret, while being just as sexy and deadly as “The Avengers’” Black Widow. Don’t expect the damsel in distress from her. Sean Harris shows his antagonistic side taking on the role of deranged ex-British agent Solomon Lane. His performance is chilling, if slightly laughable.
If you’ve been following the film series, you know how far the movies have deviated from the television series. This fifth film in the “M:I” anthology brings the mood back around full circle, with nice touches of high level espionage, stunt work and gadgets. Over time, I’ve become a fan of the films. By far, “Rogue Nation” is a step in the right direction for American made action films.