REVIEW: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE- ROGUE NATION

Some films are simply critic proof. That is, no matter the reviews, some films audiences will just see because of the blockbuster urge, the completist sense of "Oh, I've seen these three movies in the franchise, gotta catch this sure to be classic fourth installment," or simply just a loyalty to the franchise (how else would you explain Die Hard 5 making a single cent?) can get these monster movies with uh, poor reviews to say the least, some solid cash. This seems to be the formula for the Transformers films, frequently cheap horror flicks, and, until Fantastic Four erupted into headlines as one of this year's biggest flops, the superhero genre.  That exception aside, some films just seem destined for big bucks, bad reviews or not. Franchises and event movies have eclipsed the modern movie star: except for Tom Cruise.

Headlines of controversial behavior have damaged careers of Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan, etc. With Cruise's, um, unique religious beliefs and erratic behavior, one might count him out of people taking him seriously. I mean, look at John Travolta. But with three Oscar nominations, three Golden Globes and now five Mission: Impossible movies under his belt, Cruise still has that million dollar smile and that exuberant energy we've come to know and love from him since Top Gun. Age is just a number (tell that to the women in Hollywood), and Cruise is still grabbing onto planes and ACTUALLY DOING THESE STUNTS HIMSELF at his current 53 years. There's been talk of whether that's egotistical or not, for me it's beyond impressive. I've watched all of the M:I movies, and you just have to shake your head and curse your own procrastination when you see what he pulls off. Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Ving Rhames are also returning, creating a very solid ensemble that features unforced chemistry and light bonding dialogue that keeps the espionage jargon increasingly bearable. The much discussed Rebecca Ferguson, who, no offense Tom, elevates the movie's sex appeal, is a great addition to the film, and amongst the ladies who tend to run on the dispensable side in this world, she'll be the golden standard for the 18 of these to come.

But that ability to churn out these movies, with, let's face it, not so engaging plots is the one thing that always prevents me from having the best time while watching this spy franchise. Give me a few minutes and I could probably recall the entire plot of each one of the installments of the Toy Story trilogy. Each episode had a new challenge, a colorful cast of returning and new characters, and a distinct plot. You could give me weeks and I wouldn't be able to recall any of the M:I plots. I could give you bullet points, like the oft-mocked rubber face reveal that they did to death in 2, the generic bad guy that lacks the visual appeal of a Bond villain, and the twisted, why-even-keep-up-with-it plots that make you go up to your brain and fiddle around 'til you find the off switch. Rogue Nation is no exception.

But what keeps us coming back to Bond and to Ethan Hunt is what new thing they bring to the table to top the previous installment. Even with its familiar tropes Rogue Nation does try to add a spin to its structure that doesn't go unnoticed. But one comes for the action, the explosions, the chases, the rubber face rip-offs, Hunt going from dead to chasing down the villain in ten seconds. And maybe we feel smart at the end if we kind of get where the plot was going, and the general gist of the espionage mayhem that ensues. Rogue Nation is Hollywood escapism that can never seem to hook the interest of a director for more than one installment, but as long as this revolving door still swings open, I'll still be there to watch Tom Cruise act like he's holding his breath for three minutes while carrying out spy...things. Sometimes spectacle trumps over substance, and for a movie this well put together, that's okay.

Rating: 3/4 stars