dir. by Christopher McQuarrie
The fifth instalment in the long-running spy action franchise is a wonderful reminder of why we like these movies in the first place.
After escaping capture from a criminal organization called the Syndicate, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) seeks to take down that organization once and for all. Only one problem: He's wanted by the CIA. Ultimately, the Syndicate has far more presence in Rogue Nation than the CIA, with the latter organization mostly coming in when it would complicate (or, in one case, aid) Hunt's mission. To be clear, the mission is deceptively complex already, as the film has the kind of intricate, convoluted plot that is only made possible by a healthy dose of plot twists. That's not to say that the story is hard to follow, though. There's some elements that get confusing at points, but the biggest ones are tied up by the end, and for the most part nothing is so hard to swallow that it overwhelms the fantastic spectacle.
For the most part, though, Rogue Nation's plot is wonderfully entertaining, featuring plenty of intrigue alongside the aforementioned plot twists. A lot of factors could complicate the mission at any point, and the stakes are high. For the most part, everything operates within the context of the main plot about the Syndicate, with few detours but plenty of details. One particularly notable one is the ambiguous allegiance of Ilsa (played by Rebecca Ferguson), a notable bit of storytelling where the audience learns more than the characters, and which comes to a head in a great twist. The returning characters don't get quite as much to them, but with the film already having so much to it, anything more would simply make it overstuffed.
Any movie aiming to be a spectacle needs to have its set pieces on point, and although Rogue Nation aims high in this regard, it deftly meets its ambitions. From a prison run by the Syndicate to the concluding scenes in London, each and every major set piece is thoroughly exciting and fittingly massive in scope. All the franchise hallmarks are there: Cool gadgets, exciting stunts, and the centrepiece: A typically fantastic performance from Tom Cruise. As with other films in the franchise, this isn't always a simple deal of watching a cool action hero save the day. It's easy to tell that none of the main characters are going to die, but the film still manages to have a number of tense sequences where the payoff is uncertain.
A large part of the film's charisma actually does come down to its cast, many of whom are series veterans at this point. Tom Cruise is of course incredible, but he's almost matched by great performances from Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and the aforementioned Rebecca Ferguson. Each actor has eased into their character role, and their distinct acting styles make for a diverse collection of leads. Still, none can quite match Tom "I do my own stunts" Cruise, who starts off the movie by hanging onto a flying airplane. Despite making his start decades ago, Cruise is as good as ever, and has more than earned his spot in the action star hall of fame by now. Where many of his contemporaries have long ceased caring (ex. Bruce Willis), Cruise's enthusiasm is visible on screen, translating directly into increased intensity for his character.
Over-the-top action films remain one of the most popular types of movie today, and when done right, there's few things more enjoyable than watching a bunch of charismatic actors playing fun characters and pulling off incredible stunts in order to save the world. That, ultimately, is the main lesson of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and it doesn't possess the unexpected depth of something like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Mad Max: Fury Road. What it does have is thrills in abundance, and it's more than memorable enough to maintain the franchise's much deserved place in pop culture. To put it simply, Rogue Nation is some of the most fun you'll have at the movies this year, and if that's not worthwhile, I don't know what is.
9/10
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