'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation': Must Viewing for Tom Cruise Fans

BANGALORE: Film: "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation"; Language: English; Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Sean Harris, Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames; Director: Christopher McQuarrie; Rating: ***

Based on the American TV serial of the same name, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" is the latest in the franchise that started off in 1996.

The opening sequence of this film which introduces Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) sprinting, jumping on a moving aircraft, dangling on the aircraft door and then parachuting out of the plane, has been on every poster and trailer of the film. This seems like the director's desperate measure to entice the audience.

This adrenaline rushing stunt has no connection with the narration that follows. Nevertheless, the film with a vanilla plot is straightforward and glossy enough for a one-time viewing. It is packed with lethargic, repetitive tropes of a quintessential, formulaic spy franchise, five films deep.

Soon after this first sequence, we are given to understand, that the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), is now dismantled and off the block, by CIA Chief Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin). For some inexplicable reasons, Hunt who is absconding, refuses to comply with the CIA.

So like in the previous edition, Hunt goes out of his way, without the U.S. government's backing, to catch a "nefarious terrorist" Solomon Lane (Sean Harris). He is the head and creator of a secret terror organization called the Syndicate. Hunt does so by bringing together his ace team, which includes, Benji Bunn (Simon Pegg), William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames).

In this endeavour, he is helped by British intelligence agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who crosses and double crosses him time and again. While the story focuses on Ethan Hunt and his mission, it gives equal footage to Ilsa Faust. Her actions make the narration intriguing.

The story is generic and the screenplay by director Christopher McQuarrie meanders with fine, action-packed sequences that do not leave you with a lasting impression.

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