Mission Impossible Rogue Nation - Directed by Christopher McQuarry, starring Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin
Simon Morris goes to the latest Mission Impossible blockbuster, Rogue Nation, starring Tom Cruise. Break out the foghorns.
All the publicity about the fifth Mission Impossible – subtitled Rogue Nation – is about how the star still insists on doing most of his own death-defying stunts, and how Tom Cruise, now well into his 50s, continues to dazzle us with his physical prowess. Rather less of the publicity is devoted to how well the script hangs together, and the fascinating complexity of the characters.
Last week I complained about a film whose plot fell to pieces after half an hour – the famous “oh come on!” moment. This film – like most Mission Impossible films – is almost entirely made up of “oh come on!” moments. This isn’t a plot, it’s an Old Curiosity Shop of plot bits and mind-blowing stunts. When the defining characteristic of the star is he can do anything, and the backup cast’s role is limited to being amazed by him, there’s really not a lot of suspense.
I concede there’s some minor curiosity at how Mission Impossible Rogue Nation will rationalise each impossible event. There’s one moment early on where Tom Cruise is chained and handcuffed in a dungeon, surrounded by armed goons. And literally, “with one bound he’s free”. Oh, come on!
