Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Movie Name: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Year of Release: 2015

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander, Jens Hulten, Jingchu Zhang,

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie is back, following his latest directorial effort, the mildly entertaining "Jack Reacher", which also featured his usual collaborator, actor Tom Cruise (McQuarrie also wrote the underrated "Edge of Tomorrow" for director Doug Liman). The latest installment of the Mission:Impossible franchise, picks up after the events of Brad Bird's "Ghost Protocol". This time around Ethan Hunt and his team at the IMF are being targeted by both the CIA and a shady organization named the Syndicate. The first wants to dismantle the IMF due to all the insubordinate and raucous behavior they display, while the Syndicate aims to basically plot chaos and mayhem around the globe, and the IMF is an obvious obstacle in their path. With little help and means, Ethan, Benji, Brandt, Luther and the help of a lethal and enigmatic agent, Ilsa, the team has to go on progressively riskier assignments to infiltrate and get ahead of the plans devised by the Syndicate, and specifically its ruthless leader, Solomon Lane.
Christopher McQuarrie has begun to create a directorial career for himself anchored in a hybrid mix of a polished B-movie style and a character angle that is reminiscent of some of the work from Don Siegel. His films feature emasculated characters, and devious plot lines, but the integrity and morals of his lead characters are never in question. The "Mission:Impossible" formula is one that though riveting for the exotic locations and elaborate stunts, reaches a point where it feels dangerously repetitive (much like James Bond), however Brad Bird, and now Christopher McQuarrie have infused the franchise with some interesting energy, primarily because their films feel like polished and effective B-movies, with enough thrills and humor to keep the audience satisfied. This particular chapter from the franchise can be accused of lacking a distinct point of view from the director, but it's still nonetheless a very entertaining and well done action film. The actors are uniformly solid in their familiar roles, but Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg remain as engaging as ever. Recommended!