Categories: Movie Reviews

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation – Blu-Ray Movie Review

Synopsis

The Impossible Mission Force is facing shutdown just as Ethan Hunt uncovers evidence of a destructive organization known as The Syndicate. Responsible for world-changing events, they stand poised to create a vast terror network if they can get their hands on a list of secret bank accounts. With the CIA in pursuit, Ethan goes rogue, along with a mysterious woman who seems to be playing both sides, in an effort to expose the evil mastermind behind the violence. His quest takes him into the most secure computer system in the world and eventually he must also kidnap the British Prime Minister to save civilization as we know it.

Specifications

Paramount
2015, Color, Rated PG-13, 2 Hrs 12 mins
Dolby Atmos, TrueHD 7.1, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Yes
Sex: Brief Partial Nudity
Language: Mild

Commentary

If the plot sounds similar to the previous Mission Impossible films that’s because it is. Tom Cruise has created a formulaic franchise from the original television series that ran from 1966 to 1973. And that’s completely OK. In fact if he wants to keep cranking out more chapters, I’ll keep watching them; as long as Simon Pegg remains part of the cast. He provides the perfect foil to Tom Cruise’s ultra-serious complete-the-mission-at-any-cost character.

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Pretty much every box has been checked here: fantastic vehicle stunts, an attractive and mysterious female lead, Ethan Hunt breaks into a facility with impossible-to-defeat security, Ethan Hunt performs actions that defy physics, Ethan Hunt is the only one who really knows what’s going on; and of course the story is never quite what it seems. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing, mainly centered on Ilsa Faust, a mysterious female agent whose loyalties aren’t really clear until the end.

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Whether you’re already a fan of the series or if you’ve never seen a Mission Impossible film before, Rogue Nation provides a two-hour thrill ride, a solid plot, plenty of witty humor and top-notch production quality. Action movie buffs will want to add this one to their libraries just as I have.

Technical

It seems that every new Hollywood blockbuster ups the ante in terms of image quality and Rogue Nation is no exception. Shot entirely on digital cameras the lines between live and computer-generated action are completely blurred. It seems there is nothing that cannot be done in the special effects department. Contrast, color and clarity are all beyond reproach with saturated hues, deep blacks and no trace of murkiness or artifacts.

Like all the recent Dolby Atmos-encoded Blu-rays I’ve watched this one has a soundtrack that is huge in every respect. It’s mixed quite loud and I had to turn the volume down a bit which I almost never do. Even at ear-splitting levels there is no distortion or harshness, only fine detail and an almost limitless surround envelope. And the bass will shake your walls if you have a large enough sub. I have to give major kudos to the score which is largely based on Puccini’s opera Turandot. Composer Joe Kraemer has done a fantastic job adapting this hauntingly beautiful music to the screen.

Extras

Rather than the usual making-of documentary, the extras on this release focus on specific elements in the film. Each is only a few minutes long. Subjects covered are the underwater sequence, the opening airplane stunt, a brief study of the four lead characters, a look at the motorcycle chase and a discussion about the franchise’s staying power. Also included is audio commentary by Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie.

Chris Eberle

Chris' passion for audio began when he took up playing the bassoon at age 12. During his third year at the New England Conservatory of Music, he won a position with the West Point Band where he served for 26 years as principal bassoonist. He retired from the Army in 2013 and is now writing full time and performing as a freelance musician in Central Florida. As an avid movie lover, Chris was unable to turn away the 50-inch Samsung DLP TV that arrived at his door one day, thus launching him irrevocably into an obsession with home theater. Dissatisfied with the image quality of his new acquisition, Chris trained with the Imaging Science Foundation in 2006 and became a professional display calibrator. His ultimate theater desires were realized when he completed construction of a dedicated cinema/listening room in his home. Chris is extremely fortunate that his need for quality audio and video is shared and supported by his wife of over 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his recumbent trike at least 100 miles per week, trying out new restaurants, going to theme parks and spending as much time as possible watching movies and listening to music. Chris enjoys bringing his observations and discoveries about every kind of home theater product to as many curious and well-informed readers as possible. He is proud to be a part of the Team and hopes to help everyone enjoy their AV experiences to the fullest.

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View Comments

Kelly Williamson says:

February 11, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Great film. However, your five star rating of the video seems to contradict several other reviews on line. Several reviewers have described the video quality as occasionally off-focus and I agree. Many base their purchase of new releases on reviews such as yours and I would recommend you mention others reviewers opinions, as a courtesy, especially when they contradict yours.