2015 Summer Movie Season - Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation: Review and Anaylsis

Going Rouge!!! Latest MI Entry Offers Smart Thrills and Added Flair!!!!

Review By: Brandon Porter 

Friend or Foe

Story

After the cataclysmic events of Ghost Protocol, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team have continued to live off the grid. But out of the shadows, comes a new threat that is prepared to push Ethan and his friends to their limit. An underground Syndicate that is as skilled, cunning, and well equipped as the IMF emerges threatening to destroy Hunt, his team and the entire organization. Ethan, Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames), William (Jeremy Renner), and a mysterious new ally (Rebecca Ferguson) set out on their most daring, high stakes and challenging mission yet. The fate of an entire organization rest in the hands of those who know how to do the impossible.

Ethan and the Crew go over their game plan in seclusion.

Analysis

It’s been 4 years since the Mission Impossible franchise gained new life with the universally acclaimed Ghost Protocol. With fun performances, solid script, and jaw dropping stunts and action sequences, the Mission Impossible franchise has turned into the high stakes action franchise that Paramount Pictures can bank on. 2015 brings Ethan Hunt and his crew back into action with Rogue Nation, the fifth installment of the Tom Cruise action franchise. With momentum of the previous instalment on their side, critics and fans hoped that Rogue Nation could continue the series new found relevance in this new age of film. Thankfully, it was just that and then some. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation performed well critically and financially. Rogue Nation earned a superb 93% certified fresh rating from critics and an equally strong 92% critical rating from audiences via Rotten Tomatoes. Financially, the film nabbed #1 at the box office with $56 million dollars domestically with an additional $65 million overseas for a worldwide total of $121 million. Rogue Nation continues the momentum of what worked in Ghost Protocol and also shows that Cruise is a capable and still relevant action star in this ever changing age of film.

"Benji!!!, Open The Door!!!"
"The OTHER door!!!!"

Review

I was one of the many taken aback by how incredibly insane and fun Ghost Protocol was. It created a fun and well-structured action film that brought a new found sense of purpose the action spy franchise. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation looked to offer the same thrills and great scale that its predecessor brought and continue the franchises momentum. After seeing the film in IMAX, I can confirm that franchise has another solid entry. Rogue Nation is a twist and turn thriller that has plenty of edge of your seat set pieces and great all around performances. Tom Cruise doesn’t miss a beat as Ethan Hunt and neither do Renner, Rhames, and Alec Bladwin. Simon Pegg is the standout among the returning cast as the comedic glue that holds the film together. As for the new chracters, Rebecca Ferguson is teriffic in the film. She plays a very complex character that is hard to read but is also a straight up badass. She is a perfect blend of sexy, cunningness, sleekness, and finesse making her arguably one of my favorite female characters in the series so far. Action wise, the film moves like an Old Testament action movie. Sequences like the motorcycle car chase to the infamous plane scene are all standout action moments that help the film’s entertainment value. Some of the quieter heist sequences offer some very tense moments that will have you literally “holding your breath” to the end. Overall, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation is a smart, sleek, and overall satisfying entry into the franchise. As the franchise continues to ride the momentum of these latest installments, my hope is that the series can continue to find relevance and purpose as it strives to be one the biggest spy franchises in Hollywood.

 

Rating and Final Thoughts 

Smart, sleek, sexy, and thrilling are what describes the latest installment of the story of the IMF as the Mission Impossible Franchise continues to hit all the right notes in their new found relevance.

Another Mission Accomplished For The IMF. Where their next Mission (should they chose to accept it) will take them next?….You’ll have to find out at a later date.