You know what I love more than going to a movie? Two movies in one day! Last Sunday, we went to the Arclight Hollywood to see Vacation, had grilled cheeses at Melt and bought tickets for the late showing of Mission: Impossible; Rogue Nation at the Cinerama Dome.
Day = Success.
PLOT - In this latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, we find Ethan Hunt ( Tom Cruise) on the run from the United States Government after the IMF has been disbanded. Hunt is certain that he can prove the existence of and take down, the Syndicate, an international crime cooperative. As Hunt works to take them down, he gets help from some former IMF friends and from Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), a mysterious woman who saves Hunt's life, but who may be working for the Syndicate.
LIKE - As with the previous Mission: Impossible films, Rogue Nation is a fun ride. The story is solid with plenty of unexpected twists, but what really drives the film are the thrilling action sequences. This film has all manner of action...action on a moving jet plane, claustrophobic underwater action (I held my breath), a mountainside motorcycle/car pursuit and a multi-weapon fight on the catwalks in an opera house.
What was interesting was the lack of dialogue in many of the fight scenes. Music was key for creating drama, especially in the opera scene, which had the fight take place above a performance of Puccini's Turandot. The action in Rogue Nation is as good as it gets. Yes, the action is crazy ( Impossible), yet unlike many action films, every movement made sense to the story and there was nothing gratuitous. Not extra explosions or never ending car chases. The action was pitch perfect.
Cruise is a very good actor and generally picks strong roles, this being no exception. I like Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg. However, the scene stealer is Ferguson. Not only is Ferguson stunningly gorgeous, but she got to play such a strong, kick-ass, intelligent character. What a great role. When we left the theatre, Dan even commented that he thought that Ferguson should be the next Bond. Not Bond girl, but the first female Bond.
Also making an impression was Sean Harris, who played the villain, Solomon Lane. Creepy, creepy, creepy.
DISLIKE- Nothing. This is an ideal summer film.
RECOMMEND- Definitely and with the amazing action and beautiful locations, this is one to see on the big screen.