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Cruise Keeps These Movies Possible

You've seen the poster. The trailers have played ad nauseam at the multiplex. Tom Cruise hangs onto the side of an airplane as it takes off. That's really Cruise performing that stunt - and he doesn't want you to forget it.

This is how "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" starts off, with that thrilling moment you've already seen a dozen times. Even so, watching it play out in the movie is exciting and the perfect way to start the fifth film in a near two-decade-old series (the first film came out 19 years ago in 1996). Somehow, the movies have managed to sustain a considerable amount of fun, which helps to hold viewers' interests. The "Mission: Impossible" movies are a lot like the "Fast and Furious" franchise; they continue to embrace their inherent lunacy.

It also helps that Cruise has remained so dedicated to this role. At 53 years old, he continues to be a credible action star, even though his box office prowess seems to be fading ("Edge of Tomorrow" deserved to be a hit). Casual fan like me or a Cruise devotee, he has been the driving force behind this series and continues to make them enjoyable.

"Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" finds Cruise's Ethan Hunt out on his own. Hunley (Alec Baldwin, being great, intense Alec Baldwin), director of the CIA, desperately wants to know Hunt's location and seeks to disband the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). Hunley has suspicions that William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) knows the location of Hunt and urges him to let Hunt know IMF is no more.

Hunt doesn't really care for protocol or rule-following of any kind. Even though he is no longer working under the IMF, Hunt goes out on his own to bring down The Syndicate, a mysterious group of baddies with a nefarious agenda. He gets help from his friend, Benji (Simon Pegg), who is much more nervous and hesitant to go on all these missions with Hunt. In his quest to track down The Syndicate, Hunt crosses paths with Illsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). She is a tough, beautiful temptress, whose loyalties are often unknown. Ferguson is a welcomed addition to this series.

From there, things go sideways. Trust no one. It's all pretty standard operating procedure for these movies, but director Christopher McQuarrie keeps things going smoothly, for the most part (the movie does lag in parts, especially when reaching the final act). McQuarrie, the writer, is sometimes the problem. Moments in his screenplay are a bit too contrived and we are supposed to believe Hunt knows what he knows or does what he does simply because he is Ethan Hunt.

One last draw back, because now I'm just quibbling. The "Mission: Impossible" movies don't always feature the most compelling villain. "Mission: Impossible III" remains my favorite of the series. The action was the most consistent and Philip Seymour Hoffman made for a compelling villain. In the latest installment, Sean Harris plays Lane, the soft-spoken, raspy leader of The Syndicate. He tries so hard for chilly stoicism, that he just seems to stare blankly in the frame. It's never really threatening.

Regardless, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" came to entertain and it does so admirably. This is pure, unabashed summer fun at the movies.