Film review: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (8 out of 10)

Who could have predicted back in 1996 when the first Mission Impossible movie appeared that 19 years later we’d still be watching the franchise?
Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Rogue NationTom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

The reason is simple, a good plot, great action scenes and pretty solid acting.

Also, when you’ve got Tom Cruise onboard any film you are very likely to have a success.

And have no doubt, this will be another major success.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You may have thought that the last Mission Impossible film was starting to creak at the edges but credit where it’s due, this time the production team have shuffled the pack to freshen things up.

So Simon Pegg’s character, IT expert Benji, has a far meatier role while Ving Rhames and Jeremy Renner are more in the background.

Cruise, of course, is central as Ethan Hunt, doing his own stunts which this time include hanging on to the side of an airborne plane!

The plot sees Hunt chasing after a shadowy organisation called The Syndicate, a sort of evil Mission Impossible Force. headed up by Solomon Lane, played superbly by the excellent British actor Sean Harris.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plus we have Rebecca Ferguson as a mysterious agent, Ilsa Faust, whose agenda we’re not sure of - a great role in an industry that still struggles to give women interesting characters to play in action movies.

As you would expect from this franchise there’s masses of action, including an amazing motorbike chase and some pretty tough fight scenes.

It’s very long at 131 minutes but writer/director Christopher McQuarrie how to pace a movie.

OK, so there are some cliche moments and sometimes you wonder what’s going on, but there’s good humour to keep things light.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Overall, this is a great addition to the franchise and an enjoyable movie to keep the family occupied during the school holidays.

Film details: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (12A) 131mins

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg

Screening courtesy of Horsham Capitol