The Plot
Reprising the role of Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise (Dyslexic) takes us on another action packed journey in the 5th instalment of ‘Mission: Impossible.’ MI5:Rogue Nation’ sees Hunt pursuing a group of highly trained killers and rogue agents called The Syndicate. With the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) on the verge of being dismantled, Hunt becomes the CIAs “most wanted man.” Cue explosions and gun battles.
Not yet played out
Unlike other long running action movie franchises released this year, *cough*Terminator*cough*, rather that depreciate the brand; each new instalment of Mission Impossible seems to raise the bar one more notch. Now, these films are never going to win any awards for best screenplay or Best performance. But in terms of shear entertaining and thrilling action sequences, Cruise and chums are still hitting the spot with both critics and movie goers.
An insurance nightmare
Whatever you think of his off screen dramas, Cruise has been consistently impressive in his role as Ethan Hunt, especially when it comes to the wonderfully tense stunt sequences Cruise insists on doing himself.
During filming Cruise expressed some concerns around the stunt:
“We’re worried about bird strikes, any kind of particle that the propellers could pick up, any kind of stone. I remember I got hit by a stone that was so tiny, you cannot believe. I thought it broke my rib. Lucky it went to my vest and not my hands or my face, it would have penetrated and gone right through.”
How Cruise continues to convince his production team, to risk their multi-million pound asset is a mystery. With Cruise injuring himself 6 times during filming, Paramount Pictures either have one hell of an insurance policy or feel the column inches generated by Cruise’s stunts outweigh the risks.
A daredevil from day one
Tom is no stranger to risky pursuits, way before his acting career; Cruise belonged to the wrestling team in his high school. After getting seriously injured, during recovery he auditioned for the lead role in his schools production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ and the rest is history.
Scientology and dyslexia
Like a lot of dyslexics Cruise had a difficult time in school. In an interview with People.com, Cruise spoke about his childhood:
“All through school and well into my career, I felt like I had a secret. When I’d go to a new school, I wouldn’t want the other kids to know about my learning disability, but then I’d be sent off to remedial reading”.
In 1986 he was introduced to L. Ron Hubbard, the creator of Scientology and after reading Hubbard’s book ‘The Basic Study Manual’, Cruise claims the teaching of the book helped him ‘cure’ his dyslexia. Hmmm…. the jury’s out on that one. Whatever you think of his slightly dubious claims, you have to admire that Cruise never let reading or dyslexia hold him back, instead he has gone on to become one of the most beloved and highest paid actors of our generation.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is currently out in all major cinemas.
Reviews: 4.3/5 for Rotten tomatoes | 4/5 Empire | 3/5 The Telegraph
Words by James Childs
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