Parents' Guide to Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Movie PG-13 2015 131 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

S. Jhoanna Robledo By S. Jhoanna Robledo , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Spy franchise returns with thrills, death-defying stunts.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 18 parent reviews

Parents say this movie is an enjoyable addition to the franchise, featuring impressive stunts and a less violent approach compared to the previous installment. The film retains its intense action sequences while focusing on teamwork and character relationships, making it suitable for family viewing, particularly for older children.

  • action sequences
  • family suitable
  • less violence
  • teamwork focus
  • enjoyable installment
Summarized with AI

age 12+

Based on 61 kid reviews

Kids say this movie is an action-packed thriller featuring intense stunts, humor, and well-made plot twists that keep viewers engaged. While it has a good deal of violence and mild language, many find it entertaining and recommend it for audiences aged 11 and up, especially for action fans.

  • action-packed
  • intense stunts
  • mild language
  • suitable for tweens
  • entertaining plot
  • humor included
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

In MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION, the IMF loses its standing after the head of the CIA (Alec Baldwin) proclaims that the covert organization is outdated, far too expensive, and uncontrollable. Unmoored, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) -- who's leading the search for the so-called Syndicate, a rogue band of former spies now working as terrorists -- is left isolated from the rest of his squad (Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, and Simon Pegg). But Hunt won't stop until he finds the leader of the syndicate and a mysterious British spy, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who's either working for the good guys, for the Syndicate, or only for herself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 18 ):
Kids say ( 61 ):

Make no mistake, this predictable movie is clearly part of the Mission: Impossible franchise -- by which we mean it checks off all the usual boxes. There are high-octane action sequences (one in which Hunt danges from the side of a plane as it takes off is pretty gnarly), glamorous locales (Morocco and Belarus), comedic banter between Hunt and Benji (Pegg), and super-complicated missions that require death-defying entrances with Hunt as the centerpiece.

But it's also undeniably entertaining -- and genuinely thrilling. Yes, the geopolitics are scrambled and confusing, and the villains are non-specific and generic. But by the time you hear the strains of that world-famous theme song, you'll be salivating like a Pavlovian dog. Resist all you want, but you'll be hard pressed not to succumb to Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation's charms from the first scene.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Ethan Hunt and his band of brothers, who are technically operating outside of the law. Are they still "good guys"? Where are the lines that separate them from their enemies? Do you consider Ethan a role model?

  • What role does violence play a film like Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation? Does its glossy nature distract from the brutality on the screen? Is it glamorized? Do different types of movie violence have different impact on kids?

  • British agent Ilsa Faust goes toe-to-toe with Ethan. How often is a woman shown holding her own against a formidable male lead in an action film? Does any hint of romance detract from their equality?

Movie Details

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