Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
U.S.A. 2015

Opening 6 Aug 2015

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Writing credits: Christopher McQuarrie, Drew Pearce, Bruce Geller
Principal actors: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames

The key to making a successful Mission: Impossible film seems to be to put a few years between each installment. This gives the audience enough time to forget that we have seen the same film over and over again and just revel in the motorcycle chase scenes and shots of shirtless Tom Cruise, which make it such an enduring series. In Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation Ethan Hunt (Cruise) has yet again gone rogue from the IMF (Impossible Mission Force, not the International Monetary Fund) and is seeking to bring down another bad guy (Sean Harris), who is also a rogue agent. Cruise once again partners up with Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Jeremy Renner, bringing the fun group dynamic from Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), while newcomer Rebecca Ferguson shines as the steamy love interest Ilsa Faust.

It is the same old shtick from previous Mission: Impossible flicks, but for some reason the formula still works; the boys must find a way to break into a not-quite-so-impossible to break into building, there are high-speed chase scenes through exotic locals, and also some light banter and oddly realistic masks. Honestly, Rogue Nation has everything that the audience comes to expect from a Mission: Impossible film, and it succeeds in toning things down a bit from the ridiculous exploits of Ghost Protocol. While it is often cheesy and over-the-top, there is a lot to enjoy here making it a perfect popcorn movie for the summer holidays. (Rose Finlay)