Went to see Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation last night.

The movie is a lot of fun. It’s got a nice balance of car chases and actually not that many explosions or completely impossible shit happening. Well, yes, there is that being on a taking-off plane thing. Still, ultimately, MI is about gadgets and impersonating skills, in which case, it doesn’t do a bad job.

One is given to notice at some point, how the movies have evolved from the first one, with stunts becoming increasingly bigger and more impressive. That being said, apart from the plane stunt, there isn’t that much over-the-top action in this installment, which is very refreshing. The action is different, perhaps less flamboyant and yet, impressive because of it. The staple mask is there, but its use is almost mundane. Instead, the story relies on good old infiltration, trust and poker faces. Another way the movies have evolved is this one’s complete lack of romance; there is but a hint at the end.

Also, there is much more wit than in previous installments. It ranges from the banter between agents, to the outright ridicule. There is something deliciously irreverent about the way Alec Baldwin’s character is treated throughout the movie. I should say, informed, more so than treated. The movie serves as a mission statement really, for how the IMF is different from other intelligence agencies and for how it should stay that way. That being said, that wit is something which has surfaced a lot over the past few years and perhaps MI is just catching up.

One may regret that the movie is completely predictable. None of the characters surprise you. What should look like betrayals don’t. There are no real plot twists. And Rebecca Ferguson’s character is given way too many second chances, perhaps because she is actually, the only lead female character in the movie.

Still, the action and the fight scenes are enjoyable. It’s a fun way to spend two and a half hours.