Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

Good movie but grossly overrated

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

The MIF team once again have to go rogue because the CIA threaten to shut them down. But it's down to Ethan Hunt and his team to bring down the shady terrorist organisation known as the Syndicate who have caused death and destruction in the past. Tom Cruise returns for the 5th entry in the series along with actors Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Jeremy Renner. Rebecca Ferguson makes her debut in the franchise and she has some great scenes from her well choreographed fight scenes to her mysterious demeanour. Jeremy Renner is underused here but he is nevertheless great in the film. Simon Pegg gets some good scenes, his story arc is one of best as he gets put in some sticky situations. He's been a true asset to the team in recent years and it shows a more dramatic side to him. Not to say he doesn't have some funny scenes because he does but they are more subtle and well suited to his character. Simon Pegg needs to be in more serious roles in the future because he's sort of type cast as a comedy actor. Sean Harris is the cold hearted villain pulling the strings. He doesn't get much screen time however he's the best villain since Phillip Seymour Hoffman.Directed by Christopher McQuarrie who does an impressive job taking the franchise to more serious levels. It's a film adults will enjoy more so than the kids. It's more darker than the previous film, a lot smarter with no annoying comedic characters, has a lot less CGI and just feels like a genuine Mission Impossible film. The franchise has been going for 20 years and they have somehow managed to make each film progressively better. It's on the same level as the underrated Mission Impossible III which was a very grounded film with realistic characters and great acting but at the same time keeps the elements what made the 1996 original so great. Much like the very first film it's focused on a compelling story and has some gripping scenes. The only problem is it runs at a slow pace sometimes because the plot isn't always engaging. Even though there are plenty of action scenes to feast on they are very minimal. It's biggest action scene is used in the opening where Tom Cruise clings onto a plane taking off (which of course he actually performed this stunt himself). The cinematography is a bit dark but there are so many memorable shots.There are a lot of dramatic scenes throughout from an opera assassination attempt to an underwater vault heist. It has an exciting chase sequence throughout the streets of Morocco but it does a fine job mixing the action, drama and suspense which is a refreshing approach to the genre. Nowadays film studios take the easy way out with their action/comedy plots which lack drama. With Rogue Nation it's very clear that they put the plot before the action. It's intriguing and full of interesting unpredictable characters. The ending is so well done, it's clever with a lot of surprises and doesn't just throw in the standard action packed ending we usually see in these films.

'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)' introduces a new level of palpability and is responsible for the whole series' retroactive, but slightly unwarranted, reputation for tangible, essentially 'real' stunt-work, thanks to its many fantastic set-pieces built solely around the slightly insane idea of Tom Cruise being as close to death as possible every moment he's on screen. This is really the reason why the film works so well and is as purely exciting as it is, as it always feels absolutely authentic and manages to keep the audience as engaged as possible with both its action and the characters caught up in it. It's interesting that each film in the series has significantly raised the bar in terms of action, and this is no exception. Thus far, the sequences in this picture are possibly the best in the series: fast, frenetic and fantastically composed. They're all very well conceived, crafted to be as exciting as possible. There's an ever-so-slightly darker tone this time, though things aren't dour and moments of levity are used to great effect. This vibe is bolstered by a smaller but seemingly more personal plot, which sticks closely to the roots of the franchise but does avoid many of its predictabilities. It's certainly an ensemble piece, as much as its direct predecessor. It has possibly the best cast in the entire series, and the most focus on them. All the core players are given several moments to shine, which means that you understand and care about them all. The momentum of the piece is kept thoroughly forward-moving without ever compromising on the character moments that make the narrative so impactful. The movie really is just incredibly entertaining when it gets going. 9/10

This fifth installment opens to one of the most thrilling pre-credit sequences of not just the film series but the action genre entire. There is no substitute for live action stunts and Cruise's determination to make the film do what it says on the tin - the impossible - is laudable. Simon Pegg is back in a larger supporting role as chatterbox analyst. He provides much of the humour, gluing Cruise's death defying escapes and scrapes together so things don't become too serious. Dressed-to-Kill British agent Rebecca Ferguson provides the athleticism and beauty and steals not only Cruise's gizmos but also some of his scenes. Sean H's villain is suitably quirky and menacing and guides the tension in climactic scenes. There are a few false notes, namely that an Austran Chancellor seems less important than the British PM. The sequence at a Viennese opera resembles Quantum of Solace's right down to the detail.. All in all, a good action-adventure with thrilling motorcycle sequences and death defying aerial stunts, and on those elements its hard to say which is the better, Rogue Nation or its sequel.

The best thing about the movie were the European locations. The movie is almost non-stop action and yet there was very little suspense. No doubt the direction was poor, but also the characters are invulnerable, there is never any doubt they will prevail. Pegg was the comic relief but he always seems a bit forced to me. Like the bloke who played the Hobbit. I never could buy the scientologist weirdo Cruise as an action guy, he's a pint pot mid-life crisis pretty boy. I was wondering how much this movie would be improved without him, he just seems to be on an ego trip. Then there is the typical hollywood mythological woman who can kill assassins at will just by wrapping her legs around their necks. Yeah right. You might knock a gun out their hands, but they will have another gun, and you would be dead. And even if a knife fight - no chance. Plus the plot holes and discontinuities are everywhere. The plans these guys have rely on million-to-one coincidences to work! The things these guys do really are impossible. And of course, you're dealing with a world where there is zero security, the heroes can access and wonder around anywhere with impunity. All this means that you're just watching set-pieces that you've seen before, only done better. I was not expecting better, I just watch daft movies from time to time to see what modern block-buster making looks like. And the fake positive reviews on this site - oh my!