MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION (A-)

With a dash of the subtle heist mentality of the original, some of the showy recklessness of II, a touch of the political and personal intrigue of III and the go-for-broke, adrenaline-soaked action of Ghost Protocol (the fourth and still my favorite) this outing plays like a fuse-lit, cinematic love child.  A blockbuster that dutifully tips its hat to some of the elements that made this series tick, while embracing a richly detailed, globe hopping plot that’s densely reminiscent of recent James Bondian fare.  Its action is stylistically slick, its humor relaxingly disarming and its suspense boils over with all the fervor of an unwatched, $150 million-budgeted pot.  You’re on an efficient and effortlessly exciting ride for your life!  The story occasionally dabbles in convolutions – with, what seems like, five cats chasing seven mice looking for three pieces of cheese – but director Christopher McQuarrie conquers most of the math, tightly spins his plates and keeps much of the tension masterfully balanced with each and every fighting gasp for air.  With Cruise’s mega-watt charisma firmly in play and comfortably snug performances from Pegg, Rhames, Renner and Baldwin – the floor is open for relative newcomer, Rebecca Ferguson, to ignite the screen with a meaty, front-and-center, she-hero-in-the-making role (think Charlize Theron in this year’s Mad Max movie) that toes the line of making this the franchises’ Fury Rogue.  One of the best blockbusters of the summer, this is easily another Cruise and Co. mission worth accepting!

Starring:  Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson and Alex Baldwin
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie (JACK REACHER and THE WAY OF THE GUN)
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 2hr. 12min.
Story: With the IMF disbanded, and Ethan Hunt out in the cold, the team now faces off against a network of highly skilled special agents, the Syndicate. These highly trained operatives are hellbent on creating a new world order through an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust, who may or may not be a member of this rogue nation, as the group faces their most impossible mission yet.

Official site: www.missionimpossible.com