Australian Odeon
Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation
Director: Christpher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson
★★★★
Tom Cruise continues to prove he has no equal when it comes to action stars putting themselves in the thick of it in the 5th installment of the surprisingly enduring M:I franchise.
It's been in all the trailers. It's on all the posters (see left). Yes, Tom Cruise really does hang on to the side of a plane as it's taking off in the opening sequence of a sequel which, if not better, is certainly the equal to the franchises' high point, 2012's Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol. Directing from his own script, McQuarrie brings the same wit and invention to both the characters and the action sequences, ably overcoming the feeling of familiarity that plagues so many action franchises.
Hot on the heels of the 'Syndicate', Hunt is captured and just prior to his torture we meet one of the film's greatest strengths in the form of Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). Ostensibly one of the bad guys, she helps Hunt escape only to call the guards to come shoot him. From there Hunt jet-sets around the world from Cuba to Vienna to Morocco in pursuit of this mysterious woman who holds the key to destroying the Syndicate. The previous M:I films have had their share of action ladies, but they were always dispensible as far as the plot was concerned, which is what makes Faust a refreshing change. She's not only the main thrust behind the film's narrative, but doesn't melt in Hunt's arms or cry out to him for rescue. In fact the opposite occurs several times throughout the film.
The film does have it's detractions. A thrilling car chase through the streets of Marrakech is concluded with some not-so-great graphics work and the final chase scene is strangely anti-climactic with nothing close to the invention of the car vending machine from the previous film. However these are relatively minor issues. Just as Brad Bird realised was necessary in Ghost Protocol, McQuarrie keeps a dry sense of humour throughout with various one-liners (mostly delivered by the always enjoyable Simon Pegg) and sight gags keeping the audience from reflecting too much on the ridiculousness of what they are watching.
Just as all great popcorn movies should.