Throughout the film, for some reason, my brain kept swimming around to Skyfall, and not because of great cinematography. My head kept thinking of Bond because this particular Mission: Impossible was dead set on nods to the earlier films and stories. The theme song was on a consistent loop (although enjoyable) and there were even hints in the credits at an older style, something more retro. In case explaining this hasn’t explained the link to Skyfall, it two was full of little reminders and nods to old cars and gadgets and it felt like it was trying to do the same but with somewhat less conviction.
Another problem was the predictability – while the audience gasped I couldn’t help but think I saw that coming (for those who have seen it – I knew he’d drop a card and mix them up, I knew she would swim in and help and so forth), the whole way round I could feel what was going to happen and was usually right. It’s not a sign of a bad film by any means but it it is a sign of a less interesting one. The levels of tensity were rightly high but I was not excited by each turn in the tale. Which is slightly key for the M:I films.
Other points that I haven’t given much thought to but should be mentioned are the stunning locations, the very long winded journey of a memory stick (I had to stop and think about why they were chasing each other up a mountain for it because I couldn’t remember what was on it), and the questionably generic character of Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson, notably not the X-Factor contestant) which I feel was then redeemed when she jumped on a guys shoulders and stabbed him in the chest.
Good things: Simon Pegg. I love Simon Pegg. Simon Pegg is a fantastic actor, and I really love it when he is in a different variety of films, particularly in serious films. His character Benji is fantastic and an absolute scene stealer throughout the film and when he’s gone you’re still thinking “You know what would make this fight scene better? Benji”. As it goes, the best fight scene is in fact the duo battle with Ilsa and Ethan versus lots of scary guys with knives (best description available). Put simply, Benji adds substance, fun and wit to the films (as he does in M:I4) by giving a. Stronger relationship to Hunt and meaning to some of what they are doing. Equally without his witty remarks the film would be less fun and far too plain. Well done Benji/Simon Pegg we love you.
The opening scene is the airplane moment from the trailer with Tom Cruise Oprah-ing all over again by hanging from the plane door. It’s a good scene and it feels familiar for the audience. The next major section is problematic, the scene at the Viennese Opera takes too long. It’s a pretty standard problem that Ghost Protocol succeeded in avoiding but Rogue Nation has just missed the mark. The scenes are longer than needed and drag not just the missions out but the film also to a bit over 2 hours. This happens later on in the final chase scene which is full of unnecessary artistic shots of hit-men walking through marble archways.
So Rogue Nation is the slightly less successful younger brother of Ghost Protocol. Yet it is no less enjoyable or watchable, it’s just that M:I4 succeeds at being the family favourite (in my house, that is). It has it’s problems but it’s a great film that resulted in audience laughter and shock and was a good Mission: Impossible film all told.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, also known as Why is Tom Cruise Still Getting Shirtless in Films? earns a solid 4 stars for a great cast, story and enjoyable thrill ride.
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