When you think of the Mission Impossible films, you could be forgiven for linking them to other action-packed franchises like James Bond and the Bourne movies. Yet when it comes to this US spy franchise, Tom Cruise and his crew make sure each new outing’s script outdoes the previous one. And Rogue Nation does just that.
This time we meet Ethan Burke (Cruise) as a man wanted by his own organisation (the IMF) thanks to the unorthodox means he uses to complete his missions. At the same time, he is on the verge of exposing an organisation known as The Syndicate, an underground British operation. In most international intelligence agencies’ records, The Syndicate is only a phantom organisation, but Burke is on the verge of proving otherwise.
Things get interesting when The Syndicate become interested in his quest and taunt him to work for them against his will.
The rest you will find out when you make your way to the movies. There is a lot of anticipation around this movie and from the few who have seen it, there is a consensus that it is a great project. This is why.
Script
Of late, Hollywood have slacked in this regard. We have seen a lot of people come up with potential blockbusters, but they were let down by the script. As far as Rogue Nation goes, the story is watertight. In traditional Mission Impossible style, the movie has so many story arcs and cliffhangers you might become dizzy at some point, but you will like it. From the start, you’ll be guessing where next you’ll be taken, but nine out of 10 times won’t get the answer right. If you watched Avatar, or any other James Cameron-scripted movie, you will have the same feeling of uncertainty throughout the film.
Gadgets
What’s a spy film without out the gadgets? In fact, it’s virtually impossible to have a Mission Impossible without the cool technical stuff. It is at this point that this franchise draws parallels with the 007 films. If you remember, it was Cruise’s Minority Report that popularised the idea of touchscreen monitors. His Mission Impossible films have also done their bit with concept gadgets and the new film is no exception. Your local gadget shop might not be able to get you any of the cool stuff you’ll see in the film, but at least you will have something to dream about.
From contact lenses embedded with live camera feeds to slick underwater equipment, there is no limit to what Burke and crew have at their disposal. Oh, and that face replicating trick seen in other movies, it’s here, too.
VFX (visual effects)
We spoke about how most Hollywood scripts are getting poorer and the main reason is usually because directors rely too much on the artwork to sell movies. Usually made by computers, visual arts often make for impressive scenes which would have cost the studios a fortune if they were shot for real. But when they are done well, backed by a good script, visual effects help to tell an amazing story. Think of films like Gravity where Sandra Bullock and George Clooney pretty much shot the space scenes in a studio yet it was tastefully shot to mimic a real outer space environment.
World Travel
Much like the Bourne series, Mission Impossible takes you across the globe in its two hours. From London to Casablanca and Paris, there is no telling where the story will take you next. The beauty of it all is in the authenticity and respect that the locations get from the filmmakers. Seriously, when was the last time you saw Casablanca in a big film? In the 1940s, right?
Great Ending
The praised script might not win awards, but it starts and ends on a dramatic note and that’s all that matters. Again, you will try to guess how this ends but there is a good chance you won’t get it right. Of course, good guys win, but it is the how that you will never lock down.
If you liked the previous Mission Impossible films, The Transporter collection and the Die Hard series, you will like this.
Cruise control takes superstar to king of the box office status
With all the drama that surrounds Tom Cruise, especially after his divorce from Katie Holmes, his alignment to Scientology and anti-ageing antics, you’d think it would be an impossible mission to sell the next Mission Impossible film. You would be justified in thinking that, but as you will soon find out, you’d be wrong.
When it comes to his personal life, the man is a trainwreck. It’s believed he hasn’t seen his 9-year-old daughter Suri thanks to his belief in Scientology. Speculation on the internet suggests that Holmes and her family have spoken negatively about him and his affiliation to the cult religion. This has resulted in the actor having strained relations with Suri – to the point that he hasn’t seen her for about two years!
Yet in business he keeps on thriving because, let’s face it, of all the ’90s action heroes, he still looks good. He might dye his hair and perhaps have had some nip and tuck work done, but you can’t do that to the rest of the body. Which means he is eating right and working hard to look like he is in his late 30s. Seeing an ageing Ethan Burke would not sit well with the Mission Impossible fans. Some people might feel otherwise, but very few actors age as gracefully as Sean Connery has.
Cruise has to have the ultimate marketing machine because while he is not Hollywood’s favourite son, he still gets his money back. This is the same dude who made headlines for almost breaking Oprah’s couch after jumping on it countless times. It was suspected that he was high on something, but the guy kept getting away with it.
Today, although he is in a lot of personal turmoil, he is still one of those guys who always sells their movies. Think Will Smith, Mel Gibson or Denzel Washington. They are beyond failure in the film business.
WIN! WIN! WIN!
To celebrate the nationwide release of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Tonight is offering five lucky readers the chance to win a Mission Impossible hamper. Each hamper consists of a Mission Impossible water bottle, tablet case and a Mission Impossible 3 DVD.