Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

So after two third sequels were released in short succession this year (Mad Max and Jurassic World), we now have two forth sequels released (Terminator and Mission Impossible), just a few weeks apart. A meaningless pattern, given meaning by us film-fanatics alone (or is that just me again)?!

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is brought to us by Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams (producing partner since MI:3) and new writer/director, Christopher McQuarrie. McQuarrie is known widely for writing The Usual Suspects. McQuarrie took a brief hiatus after directing his first feature, The Way of the Gun, but now appears to be gaining momentum again with the likes of Jack Reacher and now Mission Impossible.
McQuarries skills are evident early-on. After an early jaw-dropping action scene, we are transported into a high-class espionage thriller. A movie which allows for spectacle, but not at the expense of story and plot. The action is beautifully choreographed, allowing for character forming/defining moments of respite and the opportunity to engage with other players in different parts of the world. In many ways McQuarrie and Cruise have returned to the noirish routes of the first film - directed with aplomb by the very noirish De Palma. Recalling the likes of early Bond and other spy classics, Rogue Nation is skilfully paced, despite the ADD approach many a contemporary action film takes.

Cruise is awesome! Insisting on physical stunt-work over CG, he puts the audience in the thick of the action. Intent on doing much of the stunt-work himself, he awards the audience with an unforgettable hero who frequently puts himself in harms way. The sustained realism throughout the Mission Impossible series continues to impress - leaving us to gasp, wince and hold our collective breaths time and again (you'll be doing this a lot in this instalment)!

The story this time recalls the events of Ghost Protocol (MI:4) - and the destruction caused by the IMF team in Moscow particularly. Head CIA honcho Alan Hunley (Alex Baldwin) wants the IMF dissolved as a result, bringing his case to the likes of the US Senate.
Meanwhile Hunt is busying himself with the Syndicate - a secret (some believe phantom) organisation intent on global terrorism. Without any concrete evidence suggesting the legitimism of the Syndicate, Hunt is alone in his quest - save for new recruit William Brandt (Jeremy Renner). Brandt is the IMF liaison in the US, under scrutiny form Hunley and the CIA. As the abolishment of the IMF by the CIA ticks swiftly by, Brandt keeps Hunt abreast of proceedings.
As a wanted agent living in obscurity, Hunt seeks out additional help in the form of Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg). Also on hand is possible ally, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). Ferguson is quite a find! As Ilsa she is both the physical and intellectual match to Cruise's Hunt. An English agent in deep-cover, Ilsa is a femme fatale of sorts, unsure of where her allegiances should lay.

The Mission Impossible films continue to impress. Like the Bond films, they employ a new creative team with each instalment (certainly a new director each time).
Despite being one of the most successful, MI:2 is generally regarded as the runt of the litter. It's a lesser Mission Impossible film for sure - relying too heavily on exposition and rubber masks! It still has moments of flare however. The last 20 minutes of breathless, non-stop action repairs much of the damage.
As a huge De Palma fan MI:1 is still my favourite - the rest of the series a close second. And yes, despite coming to it's defence, MI:2 would probably rank third!

Cruise and his team are onto a good thing here, with no signs of slowing down. Apparently MI:6 has already been green-lit (I imagine they'll be further exploring the British contingent in this one surely?)!
A few last points. Lets continue to bring new players into the fold - expanding the team, utilising the talents of key members when the opportunity strikes. I'd also like to see them continue to reference the other films in the series. MI:4 and MI:5 have done this really well - a few subtle nods giving the overall series a sense of grandeur. More please!

4/5


Poster image courtesy: https://www.breweryarts.co.uk

Ant-Man

Ant-Man arrives after a lengthy gestation (around 8 years), ending in the departure of it's leading creative force, Edgar Wright. Along with writing partner Joe Cornish (Attack the Block), Wright developed the film for many years - long before Marvel retained the rights to bring it to theatres.
With Wright attached Ant-Man was a must-see! Even the strangely bleak At Worlds End would not have stopped film-fans arriving in their droves come opening weekend. With Ant-Man Wright was set to weave his magic with the likes of the Marvel-verse - a creative power-house which continues to grow and evolve.

The thinking is that perhaps Wrights vision was a little too left-of-centre for the likes of Marvel. Just as it is with the comics, Marvel have their way of doing things - which I guess distinguishes them from the pack.
Unlike many of the directors Marvel have employed to date, Wright is a visualist of considerable flare. Using the comics analogy once more, perhaps Wrights vision was more akin to an Image book, or even an Oni Press one (see: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World)!

Wright's a great writer too however - and this is something Marvel were undoubtedly impressed by. Marvel are the house of ideas after-all (or is that Disney - well, they're all under the same roof now anyway)! And history has proven that good ideas and a knack for humour is a prerequisite for their movie out-put thus far!

Anyway, Wright departed and in stepped Paul Rudd and his writing partner Adam McKay (Anchorman). Collectively they've turned Wrights 1960's picture into a contemporary one - moving the focus from original Ant-Man, Hank Pym to the later incarnation of Scott Lang.
Peyton Reed (Down with Love) stepped into the directors chair with the undesirable task of bringing all the aforementioned elements to the screen.
I'm happy to report that along with Marvel, Reed has respectfully shone the proverbial light on each collaborative partner. Reed has done so seamlessly of course, but it's fun to ponder which creative mind brought what to proceedings?!

So, who are Hank Pym and Scott Lang? Well, Hank Pym is a highly revered character within the Marvel universe. Along with Howard Stark and Nick Fury, Hank Pym laid the foundations for SHIELD and the Avengers back in the 1960's. Pym was the original Ant-Man of course, although in this iteration he is keen to pass the heavy mantle onto another.
Enter Scott Lang, an unlucky do-gooder who landed himself in jail as a result of a Robin Hood-style, anarchic crime. Divorced, but with a daughter to provide for, Lang agrees to help Pym in the hope he can make amends for his past indiscretions.

Having long since retired and in the process of relinquishing control of his company, Hank Pym is out, but still conscientious of people following his work.
One such ignoramus is Darren Cross - Pyms original protege, standing on the precipice of discovery. Cross is giddy with possibility, unaware that he's endangering the world with his own shrinking device.
Collectively Pym and Lang (along with Pyms daughter Hope) decide to act. In an elaborate plan they hope to stop Cross in his tracks - retrieving his designs, whilst making sure no one will follow his work.

Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang - the most unlikely choice for a super-hero since Seth Rogen donned the Green Hornet mask. Lang is an unlikely hero from the get-go however - and Rudd effortlessly convinces! Joining Rudd is Evangeline Lilly as Hope. And Michael Pina provides excellent support (gaining most of the laughs to boot) as Langs best friend, Luis.
In the role of Hank Pym is the great Michael Douglas - adding much needed gravitas to Pyms father/mentor figure.
Keep an eye out for a younger Douglas during a sequence set in the late 1980's. Along with Arnies younger self in this years Terminator, the young Hank Pym is an effectively rendered marvel to behold! A process of de-ageing this time (as opposed to Arnies full make-over). This sequence is no-less a triumph. Many have theorised of a 60's/70's-set Marvel adventure featuring the likes of Sam Jackson (Fury), Robert Redford (Pierce) and Michael Douglas (Pym). On this evidence at least, it's a project worth salivating over!

Peyton Reed, his cast and crew have successfully brought a heavily scrutinized vision to the screen. Ant-Man is far better than anticipated! A stand-alone origin tale that ties nicely into the Marvel cinematic universe. It's funny, action-packed and visually very exciting (the macro-photography is worth the price of admission alone)!
It would appear the scepticism was unfounded - as Marvel continue to impress. Was there ever any doubt?!

4/5


Poster image courtesy: http://screenrant.com

Terminator: Genisys

Terminator: Genisys is the fifth film in the Terminator series. Largely ignoring events from films 3 and 4, Genisys begins the Terminator story a-new - recounting events from the first film, then plunging us into a series of alternative time lines.

Beginning with the adult John Connor sending Kyle Reese back in time (as per the original Terminator), the film begins with a brief glimpse of the future, before transporting us back to 1984. What follows are some lovingly recreated scenes from the original Cameron film, before a time-travelling curve-ball is thrown, sending the likes of Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor on a new path.

It would appear the machines are wise to the events of the first two Terminator movies - sending a T1000 back to kill Sarah Connor as a child. The resistance have gone one better in this instalment, sending a guardian Terminator back to rescue the very young Sarah, keeping her safe over the intervening years.
Consequently Kyle Reese is thrust into a 1984 where Sarah is fully adept at holding her own. With a father-like Terminator in toe, she is fully capable of protecting both herself and Reese - even with another T1000 in hot pursuit!
Sounds convoluted I know - and it is, but to their credit the film-makers have made events relatively easy to follow.
The director this time is Alan Taylor, veteran of numerous television shows, from Bored to Death and Mad Men to Game of Thrones. Of the few features he's directed Thor: The Dark World is his most recent. A lesser Marvel movie perhaps but no less a notable entrance to the grand stage!

Replacing Linda Hamilton in the role of Sarah Connor is Emilia Clarke. Clarke is suitably fresh-faced as the 1984 Sarah Connor. She's spunky and fully adept in her slightly skewed new role. Time will tell how militant and muscular she becomes in future instalments?!
Replacing Michael Biehn in the role of Kyle Reese is Jai Courtney. Courtney impresses with an american accent(!) but he lacks all the important criteria which the character of Reese previously embodied. Courtney is a buff, super-hero type - not a sinewy, under-nourished survivor of the apocalypse?!
Jason Clarke (no relation to Emilia) plays the coveted role of John Connor. He has proven himself as a gruff, confident leader in the likes of Zero Dark Thirty and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Here he gets to hone these characteristics and more!
Of course the one constant which continues to hold all these films together is Schwarzenegger! He's as watchable as ever (particularly as we venture further from Camerons originals).

The major downfall with a lot of these films is the tendency to skew younger with each subsequent entry. Genisys is no different. The gore and violence is at a minimum and Arnies new (old) Terminator falls on his comedic attributes once too often - that damn grin for example! What was once hilarious in T2 becomes cringe-worthy by the end of Genisys, simply as a result of over-use.

Genisys has a few key ingredients going for it however. The altered time-lines and frequent use of time-travel is a bold move which generally pays off. Even one or two underdeveloped sequences give credence to the promise of a sequel, allowing for further explanation and revelation.
Genisys (the word from which the title comes) is a digital application which will ultimately spark Skynet. This is a contemporary notion which looks increasingly likely in our time - an application which links all of our digital devices together!
Like the first Terminator, Genisys is predicting our own future with some certainty. Surely it's evident to everyone that artificial intelligence will almost certainly turn against us?!!
Arnies ageing Terminator is a master-stroke also. I believe in T2 he informs the young John Connor of his 100- year lifespan. It surely stands to reason that his organic shell would age like everyone else.
This is a great example of Hollywood thinking outside the box also. Arnie, along with many other older actors are still evidently bankable. Lets give these actors age-appropriate roles, rather than humiliate them with make-up and the like. Stop torturing them with the only other logical (in Hollywood terms) alternative - botox and plastic surgery (YUK)!

Speaking of de-ageing, Genisys is the first movie I've seen to successfully replicate an actor digitally - specifically a younger incarnation of themselves. Now, obviously we don't want computers replacing actors, but this kind of technology (used wisely) opens the doors thematically for prequels, flashbacks and heavily manipulated characters.
The aforementioned scene is short, but it's hugely impressive. A combination of techniques I'm sure (body doubles and manipulation of old footage no doubt), but no less a jaw-dropping moment in movie history!
Genisys has one other weapon in it's arsenal, which the marketers of this movie felt inclined to divulge early on. It's an integral part of the movie which I won't go into here. Interestingly this marketing faux pas echoes the logic of the movie. Genisys has a lot going for it, but it spoils itself with mediocrity (a helicopter chase recalls the CG mastery of Schumachers Batman films).

Certainly it's attributes make Genisys worth a look. The first in a planned trilogy, it'll be interesting to see how this first instalment plays with others. Evidently the Terminator will be back!

3/5


Poster image courtesy: http://movies.mxdwn.com