Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Story: Christopher McQuarrie, Drew Pearce 
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin 
Music: Joe Kraemer
Time: 131 minutes
Bottom-line: The MI films just get better and better

Though the general notion of any film franchise is that the first film is most successful and the sequels all fail to better it, the Mission Impossible film series has consistently proved to be an exception, with each successive film being more entertaining than the previous ones. The fifth installment of the series comes with more action and a mission more dangerous than anything done before.

Cruise as Hunt, hanging from the door
of a plane

The story begins with Ethan Hunt (Cruise) intercepting nerve gas that was to be sold to terrorists. After the incident, he is convinced of the existence of the Syndicate, an "anti-IMF" criminal organisation believed to be non-existent by most. Hunt is captured by the Syndicate but manages to escape with the help of Ilsa Faust (Ferguson). Meanwhile, CIA Director Hunley (Baldwin) has the IMF absorbed into the CIA, criticising its destructive methods. With Faust’s character being highly unpredictable, and Hunt being “hunted” by the CIA, it is up to Hunt, Brandt (Renner), Benji (Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames) to bring down the Syndicate, with no help at all...

Ferguson as Ilsa Faust

Tom Cruise is 53 years old (I know, I am shocked too!), but just like the character he plays: Ethan Hunt, he is as fit as ever and never seems to age. Yeah that is something you need to digest to enjoy the MI films. From the opening sequence where Hunt is on a plane (and not in it), in the scene where he dives into the underwater vault, and till the final showdown, his stunts are ridiculous (and Cruise did not use a stunt double for the opening sequence), but hey, that’s why people love him isn’t it? Tom Cruise is one guy who has no match in playing the role of Ethan Hunt. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself holding your breath for three minutes for no apparent reason, or if the person next to you complains about you holding his arm too tight. I liked the plot twists in the film, as well as most of the action sequences; the suspense was built up well too.

Renner as Brandt (left) and Rhames as
Luther (right)

Besides Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Pegg and Rhames all reprise their roles, and this cast has done quite well in MI: 4 and MI: 5 (with Pegg giving his regular contribution to dry humour). For Rebecca Fergurson this is the first major film, and to play such a complex character – femme fatale, as they call it – I thought she had done superbly.

Simon Pegg as Benji

That’s pretty much it about this film. If you want to watch it that means you expect a good dose of thrill and adrenaline rush. Rest assured – you will get more than needed! This film’s got a list of jaw-dropping action scenes, edge-of-the-seat suspense, a dozen plot twists and good acting too. This is one entertainment package you do not want to miss!

My Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%