IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) is on the run from his own government after he receives a typical “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” message but from an organization called The Syndicate. CIA Director Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) aims to shut down the IMF, cutting off Hunt, William Brandt (Jeremy Renner), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) from any resources they don’t already have. Hunt is introduced to Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), a disavowed MI6 agent who has infiltrated The Syndicate and they form an alliance to bring down Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) and his group of terrorists.
Rogue Nation features edge-of-your-seat action from beginning to end but also gives the brain some things to chew on throughout. Is Ilsa really working for The Syndicate or is she undercover infiltrating it? Can Brandt keep Director Hunley at bay long enough for Hunt to locate Lane? How’s Hunt going to get out of the submerged data facility? Is MI6 Director Atlee (Simon McBurney) a friend or foe?
It also introduces some stability to the supporting cast which is refreshing. In prior films (other than Rhames whose appearances could be considered more cameos than true supporting roles), Hunt’s team would change more often than not, leaving the audience to wonder who they could trust. In a spy setting like M:I, this can work in the film’s favor. But when, through four films, no member of his team ever double crossed him, it actually works against the films. Rogue Nation plants recurring characters in place and it allows the audience to settle into the saga as a whole.
Of the new additions, Ferguson is perfect, Baldwin provides a flawless balance of authority and playfulness and Pegg really comes into his own but the real surprise here is Harris. Typically, when you think of a villain, you think of a physically imposing, larger-than-life, visibly angry person. Harris is the opposite. He’s small in stature, even keel and a man of few words. Harris plays Lane perfectly, giving him just enough creep factor to get inside the audience’s brain and set up shop. A lesser actor couldn’t do that and you find yourself actively anticipating when he’ll be on screen next.
Probably the most complete movie of the M:I saga, I only rank the first one higher because some of the action sequences here are longer than necessary. Rogue Nation is a must-watch for any fan of the action genre and continues to carry the torch for an incredible franchise. Anytime you boast a runtime of over two hours yet leave the audience wanting more, it’s a triumph.
JKG SCORE: 8.0
Untitled Film Project 