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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Alec Baldwin
Synopsis: It’s the rare film franchise that keeps getting better with age. Earlier this Spring we saw that with the “Fast & Furious” franchise, which saw its seventh installment set Box Office records. The cinematic world of “Mission Impossible” might not break Box Office marks, but it certainly continues to churn out interesting stories. The original film debuted 19 years ago, and now in its fifth installment the series proves it still has legs creatively, and it can continue to take more chances visually. Tom Cruise — who serves as the franchise’ star and producer — is a big part of that. Some have questioned his Box Office mojo, but you can never question his commitment to roles. The “Mission Impossible” films in particular have sought to test their star more and more in each installment. In this latest film, that meant dangling him off the side of an airplane in mid-flight. But it’s the story, the writing and the construction of the action that keeps people coming back for more impossible missions. With the exception of “Mission Impossible: II,” which felt like a misstep, this film franchise continues to get better. Since the third installment in 2006, writer/director/producer J.J. Abrams has been a part of the process. Abrams directed the third film and has helped produce the fourth and fifth. It’s given new life to the franchise and helped it to find a strong narrative tone. The previous installment — “Ghost Protocol” — is largely considered the best. Director Brad Bird presented a fascinating visual style and good action sequences despite a plot that was more than a little complex. “Rogue Nation” was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie (“The Usual Suspects,” “Valkyrie”). He’s worked with Cruise on a couple previous projects and obviously has an easy rapport with the star. This installment of “Mission Impossible” has a more straightforward story, and mixes plenty of personal character beats with the kind of action and suspense that makes this kind of film hum. The addition of Baldwin — who is set up at the end to possibly return — adds a nice wrinkle to the films. He has a number of funny scenes opposite Renner. Pegg and Rhames — veterans of the franchise — settle into their familiar roles and help round out the world, too. Cruise may not be the shinning star he once was, but age hasn’t stopped him from being effective in the lead role in this franchise. His daring and willingness to be a part of increasingly lavish action sequences helps make these movies fun. But it’s his ability to dominate the screen in the quieter scenes that helps these movies hook an audience. Judging by the fine product delivered in “Rogue Nation” this is a franchise that can — and should — keep on going for years to come.
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, and brief partial nudity.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Vacation

Starring: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Chris Hemsworth, Leslie Mann, Beverly D'Angelo, Chevy Chase, Ron Livingston, Skyler Gisondo, and Steele Stebbins

Synopsis: This isn't a re-boot so much as it's a sequel. But it's also kind of a re-imagining. The original "National Lampoon's Vacation," which starred Chase and D'Angelo, debuted in 1983. It was followed by three sequels -- the best of which is "Christmas Vacation" in 1989. Now, more than 30 years later, we get "Vacation," a film that follows a grown up Rusty Griswold (Helms) as he decides to re-create his favorite memory of his childhood by taking his family on a road trip to Wally World. Of course, hilarity ensues. Writer/directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein do a great job of paying homage to the original films while creating new characters that could, possibly, lead to another generation of this franchise. There are plenty of call backs for "Vacation" film fans, but also some outlandish new jokes. Helms and Applegate are perfect together, and Gisondo and Stebbins are great as Rusty's constantly fighting sons. I thought this was one of the most enjoyable comedies this summer and I would be excited to see this franchise continue for a new generation. That is as long as they don't make a new Christmas film, because that's a classic that will never be topped!

Rating: R for crude and sexual content and language throughout, and brief graphic nudity. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, August 7 - "Fantastic Four," "Ricki and the Flash," "The Gift," "Shaun the Sheep"

Friday, August 14 - "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "Straight Outta Compton," "Return to Sender," "Underdogs"

Friday, August 21 - "Hitman: Agent 47," "American Ultra"

Friday, August 28 - "Sinister 2," "Regression," "We Are Your Friends"