Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation: Ethan and Team to the Rescue!

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I’m something of an action movie junkie, as many of you probably now. Between films like the “Jason Bourne” trilogy or Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, I do enjoy the “summer blockbusters.” One such film from this past summer was touted as being “better than Bourne or Bond.” I’m not entirely sure of the accuracy of that statement, however Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation is darn entertaining.

Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation (2015) Film Review

In the aftermath of his last mission (one with  messy pieces), Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is ready to accept a new mission. He follows protocol, and arrives at the drop point where he learns that his mission protocols have been hijacked. By this time it’s too late to retreat, and Ethan is captured. While in captivity, the aid of a mysterious woman is his freedom. The trouble is, when he returns, the IMF has been shut down by the CIA.

Ethan’s unit is a thing of the past.

Six months later, Ethan is still free (despite the CIA’s promise he won’t be). He’s busy hunting down the mysterious shadow organization of rogue agents known as the Syndicate. Closing in on his prey, Ethan teams up with the woman who saves his life, a disgraced British agent, Elsa (Rebecca Ferguson), and under direct defiance to their orders, the rest of his team. This includes computer genius Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg); loyal and protective Luther (Ving Rhames); and the newest member of their quartet, William Brandt (Jeremy Renner).

FILM REVIEW | ‘Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol’ is another Exciting Adventure!

Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation
Globe trotting, high-class fashion and a mysterious new character. Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation. #TomCruise returns as favorite Ethan Hunt in another #MissionImpossible adventure. Click To Tweet

Whether it’s the crazy insane (read: impossible) nature of the stunts, the cast’s easy-going chemistry or globe-trotting glitz and glamour, this one entertains. Initially, this plot feels identical to the proceeding film, ‘Ghost Protocol’ in broad terms. The previous film also involves IMF and a bad rap (perhaps all of the MI films do?), and because of this, we’re kind of let down. The more I think about it (I didn’t watch the fourth movie prior to this one), the more contrast I see. Regardless, I’m going to brush off any minor irritant and say this: ‘Rogue Nation’ is 100% fun.

Though I did see this long after its release, the wait is worth it. Most surprising is the characterization, which is really quite good. (Though if we’re on the comparison page, it’s nothing to the Bourne movies.) Perhaps this is improved by the fact that original characters return in this fifth film. Or maybe it’s that the writer’s simply do their job, and write excellent character traits. It’s again fun to see Jeremy Renner return, and the friction between him and Ethan. Most of all, it’s Elsa’s character who impresses. As a new character, her persona is what the script spent the most time molding (in a deeper sense) and it’s perfection. She becomes one of those shifting characters the viewer is constantly questioning: What are her motives? Is she on the up and up? Is she evil?

If you’re a fan of the franchise or simply someone looking for an entertaining action flick, this is an ideal way to spend a Saturday night in. The film runs overlong by ten minutes or perhaps a bit more however the humor helps alleviate this (and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the car chase sequence is actually one of the funnier bits – especially in the early part while Ethan is in the driver’s seat). Also to its credit, this doesn’t seem to rely on the previous films. Like I mentioned earlier on, the only other film I’ve seen is the fourth, which to my memory did rely some on the premise that the audience had a minimal knowledge of the earlier films.

Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation

In the end, I do have to mention the one glamorous sequence that works itself into the story. Action films aren’t all about the big stunt scene – or they shouldn’t be. To see the characters in a high fashion wardrobe in an Opera house setting helps to sell this as a high-class action flick. The end leaves some threads to dangle, teasing us with the unanswered questions. History suggests this won’t be the last mission we see Ethan Hunt and Co. accept. I for one am more than ready for another of their impossible missions.

Globe trotting, high-class fashion and a mysterious new character. Mission: Impossible, Rogue Nation Click To Tweet

(Content: the film is PG13 for a handful of “intense” action scenes. These include car chases and accidents. Numerous other scenes involve casualties or at the least, severe injuries. There is an instance of torture, and some minor profanity of the standard variety – sh*t, da*m, etc.)

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

12 comments

  1. Nice review, Rissi! I'm glad you liked it! Have you seen the earlier M:I movies? I'd say that they all follow the same very basic plot line. Ethan goes rogue in every single one! But, it's part of the charm — there are no movie that can do what M:I does, so I'm glad that they keep doing it. :) Ilsa really impressed me too. Rebecca Ferguson has an incredible screen presence. And I love that Benji slowly rose through the ranks and is now so important to the franchise. In the car chase when they run into Luther and Brandt, and they just look at each other… that was hilarious! And then of course Tom Cruise is actually doing the driving stunts, and that gives it a whole new level of awesome. :D How does this one rank for you?

    1. Thanks, Sarah – I really appreciate you reading and taking time to share some of your thoughts. :)

      I've only seen 'Ghost Protocol.' Which earlier films do you recommend? I spotted them at a used book store the other day and was tempted to buy one or two, but I didn't then. ;) I've enjoyed this and M:I 4 very much! They have an epic sense of humor that isn't replicated.

      Rebecca was amazing. Here's hoping rumors of her return for M:I 6 are true. As for Benji, that scene when he tells Ethan he's staying? That was brilliant.

      The car chase was one of my favorite scenes ever – and how cool to know Cruise was doing his own stunts!

      As for a ranking, I'd have to watch M:I 4 again, but I think this may have been my favorite of the two. How about you?

    2. Oooh, I definitely recommend all of them! The first one is more like a spy movie than the rest, two is the worst and very cheesy but still worth watching, and three is definitely as good as four and five! It's the one that finally established the M:I style they've been using since. There's a Tom Cruise running scene in three that still amazes me every time I see it. You absolutely much watch it! I'm sure you'd like it. :D

      I'd like to see her return too, but at the same time I also like the tradition of the cast changing up every movie. Whatever they do, I'll be happy.

      This one is my favorite as well. then 4, 3, 1, and 2. They're basically just getting better and better!

    3. Seeing the rest sounds like musts then! I'm excited about that. (And will have to look them up next trip to the store's movie section.) I love the idea that the first film is most like a spy flick as that genre is a favorite of mine.

      As for Elsa, since I know it's a tradition to change up the cast, I'd be glad for something new too yet at the same time that's kind of Bond's game (in terms of a new female lead every film) so it might be nice if M:I broke that mold. Just because. ;) Either way, as you say, I'll be a happy fan and return for more Ethan and Co. fangirling. (I hear the 6th might film/release before the normal length of time in comparison to the other films. That'd be an interesting, and perhaps telling switch.)

      Thanks for ranking your favorites; getting better and better is the only way for a series to go!

  2. I really enjoyed this one. The stunts were crazy amazing. And yes, entertaining and fun would definitely be what this was with some great humor. I loved the characters as well. I've seen all the MI films and have liked all of them except #2 which was really poor. I'm up for more.

    1. The second being blah is what I hear, Tressa – Sarah (above) was just sharing with me her favorites and which she didn't care for as well. It's a bummer when a favorite franchise goes downhill, but I'm glad they recovered with the third installments and am glad to know the second isn't as good so I'll be prepped this way for some silliness. :)

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