Reel Critics: ‘Rogue Nation’ uses a thrilling formula

Christopher McQuarrie’s screenwriting credits go back to “The Usual Suspects” in 1995.

More recent work includes “X-Men” and “The Wolverine.” He also directed Tom Cruise as the renegade enforcer “Jack Reacher.” This experience provides a strong foundation for directing the fifth installment of the “Mission Impossible” series, “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.”

Tom Cruise has molded this mega franchise around his nerves of steel and jaw-dropping stunts as Impossible Mission Force agent Ethan Hunt. In this chapter, the force is disbanded by the CIA director, played with sinister effect by Alec Baldwin. Hunt is forced to continue alone on his mission to take down a giant criminal syndicate.

The villains are evil, ruthless and well connected. Rebecca Ferguson plays a British double agent who joins forces with Hunt to expose the major players in the conspiracy. Her unknown loyalty adds constant tension to already high-pressure situations rolling across the screen.

Cruise and McQuarrie clearly understand the formula for high-level thrillers: industrial-strength action, pulse-pounding special effects, international intrigue and high stakes for all mankind. They deliver plenty of each ingredient in over two hours of this nonstop roller coaster ride.

—John Depko

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‘Samba:’ food for thought with a sense of the ridiculous

In 2012, I had the pleasure of reviewing “The Intouchables,” an international success featuring award-winning French actor Omar Sy.

The same writing/directing team now gives us “Samba,” with Sy in the title role as a struggling Senegalese dishwasher in Paris. It’s not on a par with the previous film, but its star and supporting cast are given a chance to shine.

After living in France for 10 years, Samba’s hopes for legal resident status are dashed when he’s detained for not having proper papers. His case brings him before Alice, a newbie volunteer social worker. Samba’s good looks and earnest, steady gaze seem to unnerve the woman, and he asks for her phone number.

The film lightly encapsulates the chaos, confusion and frustration of the immigration crisis with wit and empathy. When Samba is released with an order to leave France, via the airport just outside the detention center gate, he runs toward a jet coming down the runway breezily shouting, “OK, that’s my ride.”

Yet he continues to work the odd jobs thanks to the help of fellow Brazilian immigrant Wilson (a delightful Tahar Rahim), who helps Samba overcome his fear of heights and of getting closer to Alice.

Charlotte Gainsbourg gives an interesting performance as Alice, who is seen at first as shy, plain and bumbling but has other issues bubbling below the surface. I like that the attraction between Alice and Samba is more a kinship of lost souls than a burning-hot romance.

Again, Sy lights up the screen with his radiant grin and casual, good-hearted sincerity. Although “Samba” touches on serious and painful issues, one can’t help but smile in his presence.

—Susanne Perez

JOHN DEPKO is a retired senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. He lives in Costa Mesa and works as a licensed private investigator. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a company in Irvine.