Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol | Review
Having seen none of the previous ‘Mission: Impossible’ films, I didn’t really care much for the new installment in the franchise, ‘Ghost Protocol’. These films seemed general enough – an awesome super spy, played by Tom Cruise, helps save the world. Gladly this isn’t just the case with this new film. ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ is an amazing spy thriller full of mesmerizing action sequences and an impressive cast. This is the best action film of 2011, without a doubt.
Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, this time joined by an impressive team consisting of technical field agent Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), fellow field agent Jane Carter (Paula Patton), and analyst William Brandt (Jeremy Renner). Their mission is to prevent a nuclear devastation planned by a Russian nuclear extremist named Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist). The plot is simple enough, but it’s the action sequences that really shine in ‘Ghost Protocol’.
The best action sequence in the film takes place atop the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Hunt, equipped with special gloves that cling to surfaces it comes in touch with, is forced to climb this massive building while over a hundred stories high; Tom Cruise is reported to have performed these amazing action scenes himself. Bravo, Tom Cruise. Bravo.
Other impressive action sequences include an exciting prison riot and escape (while classical music is playing), a chase (by foot and car) through a sandstorm, and an ensuing fight inside an incredible, futuristic parking garage. Scenes involving less action and more suspense and nail-biting anticipation are also great, such as the negotiation scenes inside the Burj Khalifa between the IMF members, Hendrick’s men, and a beautiful, but deadly assassin for hire (played by Lea Seydoux, from ‘Midnight in Paris’); the grand party at a wealthy Indian entrepreneur’s mansion; and especially the Kremlin scene in which a virtual reality-type gadget is used to trick a guard.
Oddly enough, ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ is directed by the one and only Brad Bird. ‘Ghost Protocol’ is Bird’s first live-action film, after having directed critically-acclaimed and beloved animated films as ‘The Iron Giant’, ‘The Incredibles’, and ‘Ratatouille’. The film even includes a visually exciting title sequence, a signature of Bird’s films.
Composer Michael Giacchino, who composed the previous ‘Mission: Impossible’ film, as well as ‘The Incredibles’, ‘Ratatouille’, and ‘Up’, does a terrific job at the score for ‘Ghost Protocol’. The score utilizes the famous “Mission Impossible” theme song in a variety of ways, and even the tracks that do not include the theme are brilliant.
Though the ‘Mission: Impossible’ films are Tom Cruise vehicles, ‘Ghost Protocol’ is really more of a team ensemble, as each of the four members in Hunt’s team are given almost equal weight. Benji provides plenty of comedy relief throughout the film, Jane is the sexy, ass-kicking opposite to Ethan Hunt (though I’m glad they didn’t try to force a romantic relationship between the two of them), and William Brandt is more than meets the eye; you can’t have someone like Jeremy Renner (‘The Hurt Locker’ & ‘The Town’) in a ‘Mission: Impossible’ film as just an “analyst.”
‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ is a fantastic action-thriller with plenty of intense action sequences to drool over. Many of the action scenes were filmed with IMAX cameras, which makes these sequences even more exhilarating. Honestly, this is a film that provides for a much better experience in IMAX theatres, especially with the sequence involving Ethan Hunt climbing the Burj Khalifa. Despite it’s 130-minute running time, ‘Ghost Protocol’ never slows down or lags, and is purely an adrenaline rush during its entire duration. ‘Ghost Protocol’ has to be the best ‘Mission: Impossible’ film in the franchise because if it isn’t I can’t imagine how amazing the previous installments are. Director Brad Bird strived to make a great film at his first attempt in a live-action film, and he’s succeeded. As Ethan Hunt would say, “Mission accomplished!”
