NathanDrake007

Mel Gibson’s new directorial effort Hacksaw Ridge is by far one of his most ambitious and surprising efforts in years. Not even his previous war film We Were Soldiers could reach the same heights as this, maybe because the subject matter is something more of a celebration to the true heroes of war, the Medics on the battlefield. World War 2 Medic Private Desmond T. Doss, played absolutely brilliantly here by Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman) is the centrepiece of the film. We not only get a taste of how amazing Garfield’s acting chops are stretched through grindingly raw and emotional strength, but we can learn to love a usually hard to master Virginian accent without wanting to cringe and in-fact I didn’t even notice the accent a few minutes in due to how much the story and my perspective changed from that of criticism to pure enjoyment. This true story of Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honour despite refusing to bear arms during the entirety of WWII (even training) on religious grounds and is astounding to behold due to him never faltering from his faith and beliefs. Doss was drafted and ostracized by his fellow soldiers (he was beaten and belittled for most of his training), for his pacifist stance for most of his time with the company. That was until Okinawa. The movie really doesn’t hold too many surprises in the form of plot if you know about the battle of Okinawa Japan in the horrific times of the Pacific War of World War 2. But what separates this war story from the norm is the heroics and bravery of Doss and when Doss and his company reach the shores of Okinawa and realise their orders are to climb to the top of Hacksaw Ridge, little do they know the horrors that are at its summit. Underground caves and tunnel systems the Japanese use to hide and ambush allied soldiers to force them back over the edge. Over 1500 men were killed just on this very cliff face. Doss however, went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life without firing a single shot from a weapon and saving 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. If you’re an Atheist like me, some things may feel very heavy on the religious themes of the film, but they are never forced upon you and quite frankly are welcomed due to the very foundations of Doss and his character. I have witnessed a lot of religious people in my time taking the context of the bible and using it the wrong way, but Doss and his beliefs are so grounded and he sticks to every single one without sway, for that I was proud to listen to everything the film and Doss has to say. Other than Garfield, most of the cast does a fantastic job with their roles. It is so hard to fault anyone when there is so much passion in a project such as this. Highlights for me were Vince Vaughn playing bad ass Sergeant Howle and seeing our very own Aussie’s Hugo Weaving (fingers crossed for Best Supporting Role Oscar), Rachel Griffiths and Ben Mingay (Packed to The Rafters, Home & Away) among many other Aussies (This was filmed over 100 days in our very own backyard of NSW) also see if you can catch Ryan Corr and Mel Gibson’s very own son Milo Gibson. The music of the film is a true testament to how scoring a film should be done. How Rupert Gregson-Williams keeps such a booming score fairly low key throughout is fantastic and yet it whispers underneath key moments that are so subtle but leave an almost haunting effect. The visual effects, camera-work and Cinematography by Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) in the film is another overwhelming achievement. I was prepared to go in for a Zack Snyder Esque’ nuance of over the top, slow motion madness and I am so glad I didn’t get it mostly throughout the entire film, at least until it was welcomed towards the end with amazing effect during the final few moments of the siege. Rumours are true, Mel Gibson is back and in fine form, it really is a feat in its own right with the troubled stars recent bad past. With some great starring roles as of late, it is nice to see he hasn’t lost his touch behind the camera. Apart from one of my all-time favourite films The Water Diviner (Andrew Knight wrote the screenplay and does so again for Hacksaw Ridge), not since Gibson’s very own Braveheart and Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan have we witnessed the horror and beauty of war with such Grandeur.

When a devoted husband and father is left home alone for the weekend, two stranded young women unexpectedly knock on his door for help. What starts out as a kind gesture results in a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse. More like Cat and Cat, the mouse had no role other than to prove what meat looks like. By the end of Knock Knock with Keanu reeves i wanted to rip my face off and throw it at the girls on screen. If that was the intention of Director Eli Roth, he did a great job. However, I also want the last hour and a half of my life back. SPOILERS Watching two girls come into a good mans home and basically **** him and then destroy everything he has worked so hard for, was not my idea of fun. I wanted so badly for the two little psychos to be destroyed towards the end and no. They get away and nothing is served and thus, the entire movie made no sense what so ever. END SPOILERS It Proved no purpose and probably did to Keanu Reeves what these girls did to his character in the film... Took almost everything that made him good again in John Wick and left him defenseless and me wondering if i should even bother with whatever he does next. Try to steer clear of this filth! No matter how great the marketing made it look. An extra point score only because Keanu Couldn't escape this mess.

I have to say, I have not felt this squishy since Nancy Meyers Father Of The Bride. Funny, warm and such great heart leads this film to a praise. It is like a Romantic Comedy without the romance and smoosh! I am not a fan of watching and listening to kissing sounds and over done formulaic in romantic comedies or any other film (Unless it’s about sex such as shades). I am happy to announce the star here really is De Niro. The man can put on a singlet and make you feel under dressed. His smooth charm works here as he brings all his life stories and experiences to a new young age of online finances and shopping and the modern day Ebayer. With just his Briefcase, glasses and a Handkerchief in his pocket. Showing the young talent to not only be fast on their feet but to slow down and take it all in once in a while. It’s ok to have your face on a screen all day for work and not have to feel ashamed because you’re a parent working multiple jobs. You do what you do and you do it to the best of your ability. Life will get in the way, but it won’t leave you behind if even it all out. Anne Hathaway is gorgeous as usual. Her smile melts my insides. Hathaway plays Jules Ostin a woman who has built her own online clothing business from the ground up. She works ridiculous hours and some of her colleagues decide it to be best to bring in some help for her and offer some older generations to show them how it’s done. She really makes the working Mum role seem so natural. I think these scenes were directed beautifully. Her fulltime job is so insanely busy we don’t even know she has a Husband and a child until at least 20 minutes into the film. This is not misdirection. It is there to really show you how busy her life is and it works. One scene I loved included a birthday party with school mum’s doing what school mum’s can do (looking down on you for not being an at home Mum) De Niro gets involved and well, it is just great to watch. One of the biggest stand outs for me here is Jules Husband played by Anders Holm. He absolutely smashes the at home Dad role fantastically. He reverses the movie Male roles of so many films gone by and flips it on its head and slams it right down into modern day. Yes there are full time stay at home Dad’s and no not all of them are dole bludging, video game loving lazy butts. He looks after their daughter mostly 24/7 and puts his own career into the trash so that his wife can really shine at what she does best. A lot more plays into this later and I will not spoil it. I believed the ending was just. Many will not. Our mistakes are what makes us stronger in most cases. The rest of the younger cast in this are all awesome. Each character is given a little screen time and just enough to make us care. Andrew Rannells (Tv’s Girls) has the same role he seems to have in all his shows and films. But it still works here and I love him. I will wrap this up by saying try not to miss this. If you love a good hearted drama/comedy. This one will not disappoint. It doesn’t change the film making form in any leaps and bounds as most blockbusters of the year try to. But it leaves you feeling like it accomplished something. It also left me feeling like Robert De Niro is a true veteran of the class and a fine form, even in his later years. If this was to be his last film, it would have been a damn fine send off.

Scott Cooper has managed to do what so many films before have failed. Make a film based on a True story intriguing and scary, quite literally, all the way through. This has got to be one of the better Mobster movies of the last 10 years. Only two other major favourites for me would be ‘Lawless’ with Tom Hardy and Shia Lebeouf and previous to that was ‘Road to Perdition’ starring Tom Hanks. The previous entry from Depp in this genre would have been ‘Public Enemies’, which was rather disappointing. Thankfully here it is also based on a true story. The film opens up with one of Whitey’s closest allies/friends giving information to the FBI on the now fugitive man. It is a brilliant start that makes you want to find out more and more. **** you right in from the get go. The first time we see Depp’s ‘Jimmy Bulger’ we get a true sense of fear that others would have felt at the time. Telling one of his colleagues not to place his dirty, filthy, bacteria infested hands back into the peanuts on the table was enough for me to not want any nuts for a while. This man was horrifying. From small time crook with a beautiful girlfriend and a small child of his own, into one of Boston’s biggest and most violent criminals of our time. What makes the film even more engrossing as it goes on is the relationships between the FBI’s leading man John Connelly, played by the brilliant Joel Edgerton. From the moment he gives this man some information, the rest of the film has you on the edge of your seat. Another great performance also comes from the, then, state senator and brother of Whitey, Billy Bulger played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The things this man had to ignore to be a good father and a decent politician was incredible. Another big note to add to the long list of actors in this film is Dakota Johnson, hot on the heels of her performance in Fifty Shades of Grey, shows us here that there is really big things coming for her career. Some great scenes for her in this film almost out shine Depp’s at one point. Jesse Plemens (Breaking Bad) who plays Whitey’s Bodyguard/Muscle is also stunning to watch and I hope we see him in more to come. The Composer for this film is worth mentioning as the depth of the score when the times arise for it, makes for an even more frightening thriller. Tom Holkenborg who recently scored Mad Max Fury Road and co collaborated on Man of Steel and the upcoming Batman V Superman Dawn of Justice. He does a great job and never floods the film with too much at once. If you love anything to do with crime in the 1980’s and brilliant Boston accents this movie is the Drama/Thriller of the year so far. Nothing has quite come close to this genre for a while with the scope this does. Johnny Depp truly deserves his nominations here. That make up makes him look terrifying which just creates even more tension on screen every time he shows up. Just be warned this is a brutally violent film and hold no punches back. Not for the faint of heart. Go and see Black Mass before it does the unthinkable and leaves the cinema too early.

Did you know that the average lifespan of a human in hours, say to 75 Years old, is 657,000 hours. But you then have to compensate and calculate the leap years also to which would be 18.75 Leap Years in a 75 year span. To which the total then equals to 657,450 Hours. Take into account all the maths I just spoke about and you got an idea of how this movie works on every detail. It truly is the very best parts of MacGyver’s and Burn Notice’s gadget moments rolled into a movie. To have just under 3 measly hours take over your life and engross you the entire time does not seem such a feat when compared to those 75 years. But it is. I do not think I blinked much during the course of its 2hrs and 40 minute Runtime. During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. I cannot even fathom touching the surface of how almost flawless this film is. How everything Watney does to stay alive feels real. This all makes sense on a massive, realistic scale. This could be very possible. The science and mathematics they do in this film makes you feel so underwhelmingly minor in the scale of things. I felt extremely stupid for the most part. But it wasn't the type of stupidity I hated. I envied every single moment of it and it kind of made me want to go back and focus in science and math class more than I did. These Scientists that work for the real NASA are genius. To think The Martian actually all came from, apparently, an equally amazing book by Peter Weir is even more incredible. The scale of its screenplay (written by Drew Goddard of Cabin In The Woods & Daredevil Tv Series) is well above par. It is a fine form of cinema and a brilliant return to form for Ridley Scott. I hate movies that waste great characters, funny ones, smart ones, ones that make you say 'I wish we had seen more of them in the film'. But here, every single character is used so well on a scale that works. I cannot say too much about anything in this film. It needs to be experienced before a spoiler talk. Suffice to say, you can see this film in 2D or 3D (I saw it in 2D). The second half of this film, with its outstanding ending, should be a 3D Fever dream. However there is 2 hours roughly, worth of nothing that would come close to a massive 3D experience. So do not worry too much as both options still leave you loving it either choice you make. Harry Gregson Williams scores the music and I have to note his work here. In this movie, just as in many of my fave scores (Metal Gear Solid 3 video game and Armageddon movie), it is moving and without it, a lot of Matt Damon’s alone screen time might not have worked the same magic it did. Matt Damon really deserves something amazing from this film. To actually invest 3 quarters of a film with nothing but one actor on screen is a hell of an accomplishment. See This Movie! It is one people will be talking about and others will aspire to be like for many years to come. 10/10

This movie does with mountains and snow, what Gravity did for space. I don’t think I can ever look at Everest the same way again. Always thinking it’s just another mountain. The incredible imagery in this film really makes you feel so close to it. You can feel every part of its cold and dark frost on your face. On the morning of May 10, 1996, climbers from two expeditions start their final ascent toward the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. With little warning, a violent storm strikes the mountain, engulfing the adventurers in one of the fiercest blizzards ever encountered by man. Challenged by the harshest conditions imaginable, the teams must endure blistering winds and freezing temperatures in an epic battle to survive against nearly impossible odds. What makes this film more interesting than the climb and decent itself is the way in which we see how commercialized the expeditions (Climbs) to one of the most dangerous places in the world has become. You think of the two base camps of Everest and visualize a few people waiting at them to climb. However, what we see in this film, which is based on a true story, is the enormous task these expeditions face when coming up against other companies leading expeditions. All racing to get to the top and get that one big story that will change a company’s name to the next biggest thing. That leaves a whole lot of amateur’s right alongside some of the world’s best climbers. That may not sound like the worst thing. But when seeing this film, you can really see how every second counts when climbing up a mountain and crossing amazingly large dark crevices that drop down for miles beneath you, in subzero temperatures. Having a group of inexperienced climbers in front taking almost 40 minutes to cross a ladder which normally would take only a few, leaving other climbers waiting and using up precious oxygen. Other climbers take rope where it should be left and O Tanks (Oxygen) that are left for other climbers. You really feel the tension and I was on the verge of being so angry at these other companies choking up the space on this once, majestic and peaceful piece of earth for a few bucks in their pockets. To push aside the morality of another person’s life, whether or not they are experienced enough to make it up a mountain only 1 in 4 ever survived. The true story we follow are of the expedition team Rob Hall, Played by the Jason Clarke (Rise Of The Dawn of The Planet Of The Apes, Terminator Genisys) and Beck Weathers, Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men, Sicario) in which we get heavily invested in are one of a rare breed. Rob cares for each and every person on his team. Their health and wellbeing are number one well before the climb or the peak itself. Beck seems to be the rough hard nosed Texan that wants to run ahead to the top with little to no care in the world. Jason Clarke really shines here and I got to see something I have never seen in him before. Real soul and heartbreak. Rob’s wife Jan played by Keira Knightley, plays with an outstanding New Zealand Accent. I am not normally a massive fan of her and her overly English roles. But she was amazing here. Some other surprising actors in the film make great cameos but I do not want to spoil it all. This movie is extremely well made visually. I saw this film in 3D. I would love to see it again without the dark shades on my face and see the full bright beauty in front of me. It had its effects and added some depth to the terrain and gaping holes beneath the climbers. But I highly recommend seeing it in 2D if you get the choice. If you love a true story and find that someone risking their lives to reach insurmountable tasks and can handle some fierce and heartbreaking scenes. This movie is for you. If you’re looking for heartless action or a script that bleeds all its characters dry you will be slightly disappointed. I know a True Story has to stay close to that which makes it strong, however I felt it needed a little more time with its characters. Especially if we are soon to see them off into the nether. Also the end credits sequence in which you see the real photos of these people brings the entire film to a tear jerking close. BREATHTAKING, HEARTBREAKING MUST SEE adventure only slightly let down by the lack of character depth and no real answers to why they are really doing a climb that will possibly end their lives.

It's no secret at all that in Hollywood, all success is followed by developments of a sequel. So comes the trials and errors of try hard young-adult adaptations. Some Fail epicly, such as the dreadful 'Mortal Instruments' movie and 'Eragon'. Some dont hurt as much, such as the better but equally failing adaptation of 'I Am Number Four'. I could go on. The Maze Runner is the latest feature to fall into that pattern. The movie made big money in its first three days of original release. So I ran to see what all the fuss was about. I came out extremely satisfied and so surprised at the quality of Director Wes Balls take on the novels by James Dashner, that I immediately started yelling at all my friends and family to go and see it. Most of them were not disappointed either. Then comes 'The Scorch Trials' Released exactly one year and one day after the originals release. Starring the surviving members of the original film as seen below. Dylan O'Brien returns as Thomas (keep an eye out for in his next Film 'Deepwater Horizon' Based on the an offshore Oil Rigg Explosion which created the largest oil spill in U.S. History) and my favourite Kay Scodelario (Tv's Skins). A big mention goes to the amazing young actor Jacob Lofland, who plays 'Aris Jones' who was amazing here and in his previous film 'MUD'. The film picks up almost moments after the initial film ended. Leaving the Maze and The Grievers behind. The kids are taken back by 'Janson' Played by Game Of Thrones 'Aidan Gillen' to what seems like a safe zone away from the now barren wastelands of Earth, which have been destroyed by The Scorch. The Scorch being a tremendously fierce and frightening storm that basically melts away and destroys nearly anything it touches. Also being kept at bay is what seems like infected humans, almost zombie like creatures that remain on the outside. Who doesn't like a good zombie chase drama? It should be all happy days and new beginnings for the group. Only to find out something W.C.K.D is still coming. Suffice to say it all starts a mostly brilliant 'On The Run' action movie. Amazing set pieces, music and of course most of the main cast of actors bring what they need to. Most of the new ones feel a little like left overs. Either it is them, or its the new script writer. The first half is brilliant and for me, sadly, the second half just doesn't hold up to the originals thrilling and intense mystery sideshow. Introducing too many factions and characters and losing the eerie 'Everyone is possibly dead or dying' feel. Even with its slight throw of a boomerang towards the end, that, anyone can see coming from a mile away. There were some truly horrific and scary scenes that, i am glad i did not bring my 'ready and willing' 8 year old along to. In the end however, what we have is a fun, serviceable sequel, that leaves it wide open for what will no doubt be the third, final act (chopped into two I am sure). There are 5 Books overall I believe. Quite frankly this series will probably end up being an exciting watch together when they are all complete. For now we have to play the waiting game and even though I will see the eventual sequel and where it goes, I don't quite feel I need to. Which leaves me feeling a little down after the amazing start this series had.

First and foremost I am not into sport. If you know me, it is the furthest thing from my mind at all times. This is not another boring sport flick (Sorry Sport Fans). It uses boxing to convey something else, something more. But at the same time we do see some of the very best boxing action ever witnessed on film. It’s hard and fast and brutal. I was biting at my finger nails watching each and every fight. However this is a story of that one person you think you can never live without. That one person, that sits next to you on the couch and laughs at your stupid jokes. The one person you can’t imagine growing old without. Having Children, or at least, a few Dogs and Cats with. Billy Hope played by Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Prisoner) plays a Middleweight World Champion Boxer at the top of his game. Never at a match without his beautiful wife Maureen, played by Rachel McAdams (The Notebook) and even more gorgeous daughter Leila Hope, played by newcomer Oona Laurence (Orange Is the New Black). Oona really sets the benchmark for child actors here and on almost three occasions had me in an ‘I have dust in my eye’ phase. Leila is not allowed to go to the fights and see her Dad being beaten to a pulp. She is always looked after at her home by the Nanny and awaits her parents return after every win. Sitting up in her bed when he returns with Mum and gently counting the scars on his face. It is a moment that resonates through the rest of the film. It also makes what happens next harder to watch. I never give too much away in my reviews, suffice to say as the next fight night is over and Billy and Maureen are ready to leave for home, a brutal accident sends everything into meltdown. We see Billy and Co hit the very dark rock bottom. The fight to get back up again and defeat his new Rival Escobar played by the rather frightening Miguel Gomez (Tv’s The Strain) is an incredible one. At its very core this movie is a redemption film and at its very, very best it is heartbreaking and a tear jerker, but in a great way. A way I never saw coming for a film marketed on being a generic Boxing Flick! A massive nod to the always amazing Forest Whitaker who plays a boxing couch Tick Wills. Even Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson has another crack at acting and quite frankly in this film he fits perfectly into his role. It is easy to say that this has been done many times before and in some people's eyes it may have been done better. In my eye's this is closest film to which is have felt a part of the entire run. Rather than having some long, overdrawn concept and waiting for the inevitable final fight. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day & The Equalizer directs here and it is safe to say he just keeps getting better every single movie he anchors. It really feels like something massive is just around the corner for Antoine very soon. Something ground breaking that will truly set him apart as one of the best Directors of this generation. This film makes it feel that one step closer. Ever so close. Quite frankly I hope we see him and Jake at the Oscars this year for both their outstanding efforts. As was the same in The Equalizer, Antoine's close up shots and Utilization of the overly used slow motion effect, really feels fresh here. The same effects and camera work tricks are being used on most of the incredible Choreography here when it comes to the brutality of the fights. We owe almost all of that to Terry Clabon the fight trainer and choreographer for the movie. Jake really went all out for the role and got ridiculously ripped for the part as seen in the pics below. The haunting score by the Late James Horner is breathtaking and really does make you feel every stare, every tear and every turn. This movie is actually Dedicated to James and I thought that was fantastic. The film is also written by Kurt Sutter (Sons Of Anarchy Creator) and you can see it as Antoine seems to really bring all the script to screen wonderfully. There is some bad with all the good however and it may just be a few little details. But the way in which the brutal first act plays out and is never really spoken about again. Such a massive part of the film and it is over looked so easily. It does not really make any sense. I was waiting most of the film for an answer to which I never received. Thankfully the rest of the film and the Oscar worthy acting make up for it. I have to leave you with a few more words. Ditch whatever you want to go and see right now and check this film out. It not only deserves your hard earned cash, but also the recognition it punches for and this Punches Hard!! 9/10

Josh Trank, Director of the Fantastic Four has had a hard time straight from the start. He did what I thought was an awesome job on Chronicle. Now the good things come to those who wait. Those who don’t listen to all the bad press, the colour of a certain hero and the actions of a director’s personal life. I will start by saying this. The movie has no place below its current Critical status under 50% On Metacritic. It has been brutalized by the fact that it stands on its own. It does not lend itself to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as it stands right now, it will never get the chance. At least Sony have handed over most of a certain ‘web crawling menace’ into Marvels hands. But right now we have another rendition of a comic book franchise being re made for a new generation. In the same generation as the first two movies were made!! It really makes no sense why. If it is not joining the larger universe it must be bad right? Wrong. This is by no means, an amazing movie or even a great one. But it deserves to be seen and it deserves to do well. It is another Origin story. You may yawn at the fact we have seen them all before. But believe me when I tell you, there is no yawning when this movie starts to put its feet on the ground and move towards, what we all know will eventuate. A bunch of good guys, stop a bad guy and or corporation and happy endings all around. Is that so hard to enjoy? All the right cast are here and they all make what seems a bit far fetched, so smooth and likeable. The feeling that, if they are ok with it, then hell, so am I. Mister Fantastic (Miles Teller - Whiplash), Susan Storm (Kate Mara - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), The Human Torch (Michael B Jordan – Fruitvale Station & Chronicle), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Jamie Bell – King Kong & Tin Tin) & last but not least Victor Von Doom played by Toby Kebbell the wonderful actor that portrayed the Ape ‘Koba” in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes. All of these eventually join forces, to become unlikely allies as the first ever Inter-dimensional Travel Consultants. Until they decide it’s ok to take the trip themselves. This is when things start to go terribly wrong, especially for old Victor Von Doom…being left behind and left to rot in a world we all know so little about and will probably never even see any answers to sadly. The powers and problems they bring back are then far too focused on the Government being the all-powerful evil corporation that it is. Without giving too much away, let’s just say, they are not set free when they return and are used for the sole purpose of certain organisations and another trip back… because the first time went so well! The music is composed by Philip Glass (The Hours) and sadly there wasn’t one thing I could take away from this composition apart from the awesome music they used on the Official Trailer. It brings nothing to the movie and that is not how it should be for a super hero flick. The entire film does feel like a boxed in world with nothing existing outside its walls till the very end when they need something to threaten. Two sets built solely around the creation of our heroes in a lab. Then onto an alternate dimension and then back to a lab again. This for me was the most disappointing concept for a film about super heroes growing into their own. It felt like they lost a budget and had to constrain it to the size of two football fields. Any bigger than that and the team gets tanked and they use another director. It feels boxed in yes, but at the same time it feels fresh. A time in cinema when it all goes back to its roots and is just a fun movie to watch. I enjoyed each and every one of these characters and enjoyed watching them grow into The Fantastic Four we know they can be. Sadly it is taken down a generic path. That actually abruptly ends all too quickly and no threat is ever really felt. Leaving our heroes not quite heroes until the sequel it hopefully deserves. The Special effects were above par. Everything from Jamie Bells The Thing ... to one amazingly horrific Corridor Sequence with a certain someone. The only thing i found distracting the whole movie (other than the lack of a decent soundtrack) was Miles Tellers facial hair. Just staring at it made me wonder, is this real? Is it glued on? As it stands however with all this bad wrap and not giving this basic, back to form, comic book movie a real shot, we may never see them again and quite frankly that is upsetting.

Chemicals are being loaded on a cargo plane, engines are about to start, those doors need to stay open and that cargo needs to get off the plane. Problem is... The doors are closing, the plane is starting up and the cargo is still on board. Simon Peggs Agent Benji Dunn is waiting for someone and they are nowhere to be found. Jeremy Renner’s Agent William Brandt, on the other end of the line is stuck behind a monitor and is not even there to help. The mission is about to turn critical... With no one else around my heart starts racing. The plane hits the tarmac and starts to rev its agents and Tom Cruises Ethan Hunt, runs up, out of seemingly nowhere, ready to jump on and risk his life fictionally and literally hanging from the doors of the plane as it lifts off! This is what mission impossible is all about. This amazing set up is what begins this new chapter, now the fifth in the franchise (there will be a sixth) and all the characters and team that were so brilliantly put together in the previous instalment 'Ghost Protocol' (directed by the wonderful Brad Bird) is mostly all intact apart from the loss of ' Paula' Also we finally see the proper return of Ving Rhames as 'Luther' It is nice to finally have a team we can rely on returning. Unlike the first three films in which the only real characters to stick around was the ageless Cruise and the always witty Rhames. This time around we see them once again going rogue and on the run from a threat known only as The Syndicate. A very clever shadow organisation that seems to be dead on eradicating the Impossible Mission Force once and for all. This premise is exciting and it starts off so damn well. Until we start seeing more and more of the organisation and its brains. Such a generic villain is what gives this otherwise brilliant spy flick a kick in the teeth. Played by Shaun Harris (From TV Series The Borgias). He gets his role through and does the job he intends. But with a lot less threatening whim as any previous villain we have seen in the franchise yet. I still think Philip Seymour Hoffman in MI3 was by far the best (Who doesn't like a secret weapon called a Rabbit Foot?). The break out star of this show is the beautiful and witty Rebecca Ferguson (Duane Johnsons 'Hercules') ‘Seen Pictured’ she plays such a great character. Who doesn't love a strong female lead? Those eyes are so mystifying and you’re never quite sure where the hell she is going to end up, or on which side she lands. I hope we see more of her in years to come. The Director Christopher McQuarrie (Edge of Tomorrow and Jack Reacher) brings all the cards to the table here. He makes us gasp at the right moments and laugh out loud in others. He seems to do everything right and yet it just never reaches the heights of the previous film Ghost Protocol (That Tower - Dubai's Burj Khalifa, 123 stories up was an incredible piece of movie making) the feeling that Ethan Hunt was in control and brought a brand new fiercer team together. It was so tightly woven, not a moment passed that I felt I could look away. Rogue Nation treads a lot of the same ground and to a lesser extent. It tries to be the same with more of the same. That’s not always a good thing. But it works here. I just want to see the next one take the risks that Ghost Protocol did and move the franchise forward in exciting ways. I still hate the fact they killed off Josh Holloway (Sawyer from Lost) so quickly. The music throughout the movie, composed by Joe Kramer hits all the right notes and some clever new ones. For a little known composer (previous movies Jack Reacher, Way Of The Gun) it has some excellent scores! If you love the series so far and you can handle seeing a lot more of Tom Cruise doing what Cruise does best (putting his life on the line for entertainment) you won’t be disappointed. It definitely has a lot more laughs than previous films and i believe its now comfortable in its new shell. Just don’t go in expecting anything more.