First-Rate Thriller.
Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation
Grade: B+
Director: Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher)
Screenplay: McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects)
Cast: Tom Cruise (Top Gun), Rebecca Ferguson (
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 131 min
by John DeSando
"One day you're going to take it too far.” Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) to Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise)
So far, after five Mission: Impossible film adaptations of the iconic TV program, Tom Cruise has not taken it too far. In fact, Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation is arguably the best of all, given its high humor and non-stop action set pieces that never disappoint. As formulaic as it basically is, it is still high-quality filmmaking. Credit director Christopher McQuarrie for inspired writing and directing that will guarantee his and the franchise's future.
But make no mistake about it, Tom Cruise as an unstoppable operative of IMF is the core of the success—he is as muscular and bright, athletic and ironic, as he has ever been. That look in his eye of knowingness and wariness is the perfection of smart and tough, a true cinematic hero. But then his cohorts are not shabby either, notably Simon Pegg as computer nerd Benji, with just the right loyalty and smarts for being in the service of brilliant buddy Ethan. Benji is also a pretty effective man in the field when not behind a desk.
Jeremy Renner as second in command, William Brandt, is the appropriate realist to the optimistic Hunt. Above them all, however, is the bright Rebecca Ferguson as multiple agent Ilsa Faust. Given that much of the action takes place in Casablanca, it is not hard to figure the allusion of her first name. As for Faust, well, the allusion will make sense once you see the film. She does remind me of Ingrid Bergman.
A sequence at the Vienna State Opera House that syncs the music of Turandot to the spy action is as creative and smooth as any I have ever seen in a formulaic thriller. The homage to the Hitchcock The Man Who Knew Too Much is appreciated, just switching from Royal Albert Hall to Vienna.
The stunts are choreographed with Alvin-Ailey precision and grace, and the Robert Elswit cinematography sublime. As for first-rate editing by Eddie Hamilton, the film could not fly so high without it. As for lovemaking, there is none--a singular achievement for American cinema.
Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation is at the top of the summer thriller heap.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.rr.com
