Saturday, December 26, 2015
"Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" Review
Title: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Screenplay by: Christopher McQuarrie
Year: 2015
My first experience with the Mission: Impossible franchise was back in 2011 with Ghost Protocol. I had the pleasure of watching it on a huge IMAX screen and it was truly a sight to behold and a grand experience. However, that is another movie for another review. The latest Mission: Impossible film, Rogue Nation has come out. Is this another strong entry for this rather uneven franchise, or just a mindless action flick?
The IMF is disbanded, and Ethan is on the run. After gathering crucial information, Ethan and his team give themselves their own mission: to expose the evil organization known as the Syndicate and bring down this IMF counterpart.
There is one thing that I respect the Mission: Impossible franchise for, and that is the idea that each film should have a different director. While this may affect the quality of the films, it ensures that no two films will look or feel the same, and contributes to the franchise's being on its fifth film. Where most series would have ended by now, Mission: Impossible is still going strong, which I believe is mostly due to this creative decision. Christopher McQuarrie seems a logical choice to direct a Mission: Impossible film, having worked with Tom Cruise in the past as the director and screenwriter for both Jack Reacher and Edge of Tomorrow. McQuarrie did a fine job as the director for Rogue Nation. There are very few instances of shaky-cam, the action is almost always clear, and there are a number of great shots throughout the film. McQuarrie brings his own style to the Mission:Impossible franchise and it paid off.
Tom Cruise is an actor that will always have my respect. He does his own stunts to give the audience a better movie-going experience and he is always committed to that goal. He brings a large amount of dedication to these roles, and the character of Ethan Hunt showcases some of his best performances, especially in Rogue Nation. Once again, Cruise proves himself a definitive action star and his stunt work is exceptionally impressive in this film, whether holding onto a departing plane, holding his breath underwater for long periods of time, or doing daring stunts on a motorcycle. However, the rest of the cast is not out-shined. It is truly great to see Simon Pegg return, as he continues to bring plenty of humor and lightheartedness at just the right moments and proves that his inclusion is one of brightest spots of the series. Jeremy Renner also returns and he gets plenty more to do this time around, which is good because we get to learn more about his character and see him develop, and he is shaping up to be quite a fun addition to the team. Ving Rhames has also been given a bigger role, and he is just so much fun to listen to. His character has always been a fan favorite and continues to be the father figure of the team. Alec Baldwin is a great deal of fun to watch as he hunts down Ethan's team of rogues. He is a genuine threat to the team and seems to always be right on their tail.
Joining the team for this mission is Rebecca Hall as an agent of unknown allegiance. Whether or not we can trust her is a question the characters as well as audience ask until the very end of the film. Her character is, quite simply, a badass. The villain in Rogue Nation is portrayed rather well but, as seems to be a tradition with these movies, is ultimately weak. His motivations are not fully explained and he doesn't really pose a credible threat. As a matter of fact, Baldwin's character is a better villain to the team than the main villain of the movie.
But if there is one thing that this picture delivers, it is intense action sequences with excellent stunts. There are plenty of different action scenes imbued with great suspense and tension. The plane stunt is the most advertised but it is just one of many. The underwater sequence will have you gripping your seat. The motorcycle chase is probably the best one ever put to film. The car chase that runs parallel the motorcycle sequence is equally thrilling. There is another scene that takes place in an opera house or theatre that is overflowing with suspense. All of these action sequences are well choreographed and not one stands out more than the others, which is an incredible feat. They are all equally incredible in their own way.
The story is an easy one to get into, but one that is equally easy to get lost in. The plot begins very streamlined. Ethan and his team go rogue and have to bring down an evil organization. This is very simple and allows for a story that is easy to jump into. But near the end of the second act/the beginning of the third is when the plot gets very muddled. Why the characters must do certain things is poorly explained and their main objective also becomes rather confusing. However, if I am being completely honest, the Mission: Impossible franchise is not regarded for its stories as much as it is for its impressive action.
I mentioned earlier how I felt the constant change-up of directors kept the series fresh and contributed to its lasting five films with a sixth on the way. But another factor that helps is how it captures suspense. Perhaps every film is the same on a very basic level, in that Ethan has a mission that seems impossible, but suspense is a feeling that never gets old. It does not matter what the characters are doing or where the story takes us, as long as we feel great amounts of tension in these films, they will continue being made. Rogue Nation continues this practice effectively and proves to be a solid addition to the franchise.
With death defying stunts performed by our lead actor as opposed to a stuntman, numerous action highlights, and wonderful characters, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation is a blast from start to finish. Every actor is in top form, bringing out the best of their characters with charm and, often times, humor. The action set pieces are some of the best in the entire franchise and McQuarrie was a smart choice as director. If you are looking for a great, fun time with characters you love and sequences that will have your heart beating twice as fast, then watch Rogue Nation, as it delivers what it promises.
Grade: A-
Labels:
2015 Movie Reviews,
Movie Review
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