MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)

Directed By: Brad Bird
Written By: Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec
Based on the television series by: Bruce Geller
Cinematography By: Robert Elswitt
Editor: Paul Hirsch

Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Lea Seydoux, Josh Holloway, Anil Kapor, Michael Nyqvist


In the 4th installment of the Mission Impossible series, Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt by the team to stop him at the Kremlin ends in a disaster, with an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF being implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to invoke Ghost Protocol, under which the IMF is disavowed, and will be offered no help or backup in any form. Undaunted, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks to Dubai, and from there to Mumbai, but several spectacular action sequences later, they might still be too late to stop a disaster.

Watching this film is like watching Tom Cruise’s mid-life crisis as he seems to have to do it all as far as the action goes. He keeps getting injured but has no scars long lasting injuries. The film seems to set up nearly impossible challenges and he rises to the occasion. The whole team does get a chance to shine but the film never let’s you forget who is the star and who is the leader of the pack. Making Tom Cruise’s Character Ethan Hunt the American Version of James Bond. Each film gives us the same character on the same but different missions. Yet each film has it’s own identity and character. Due to each film having a different director who brings there own vision to the character, story and action.

It is noteable as Brad Bird’s Live action Film directing debut. He has made Animated films up until now like THE IRON GIANT, THE INCREDIBLES, RATOUILLE. He more then fits the role of director for this film.

This film has a lot more comedy then the other films. Which is a nice break in between the non-stop action. At least here it fits and is not just awkwardly sitting there like you would find in a Michael Bay film. Simon Pegg is the usual generator of the comedy. Thous as you watch the film the action is over the top and ridiculous. Though the scenes are great to experience and look at. They are well orchestrated.

It’s nice to see the team have to depend more on actual skills as most of the equipment fails or is faulty.

One of the problems with the film is that there isn’t a memorable villain as the other films had one. These films and action films are usually characterized as much by the hero as the villain. The villain here is barely in it. There is even one scene where you wonder why the villain would risk himself instead of his right hand man, Maybe he was just too dedicated to his beliefs to let someone else handle it? The film series which usually places ethan with a new team. Seems to put too much time on us getting to know the team so all that attention is taken off the villain who is more of a unseen threat then a present danger lurking around and haunting the team.

It’s a perfect popcorn movie though half the time you will find yourself rolling your eyes at what is happening on screen and the dialogue. I appreciate though that the film keeps upping the ante. Though at times it feels more like a big cartoon then anything else.

Another problem with films like this is that you never really worry about the
character as you know the main character will survive and be successful. You just watch how he handles it.

Jeremy Renner is supposed to be kind of a badass in fight scenes comes off as whiny in his other scenes. I know that goes to his character history and being out of the field for awhile. I just wish him and Josh Holloway could have switched roles as Holloway comes off as a more interesting presence. Paula Patton has the Halle Berry role. She looks good and has a good action sequence, but is mostly there to be a side character and be nice looking gift wrapping. It’s better then having the typical girlfriend role or damsel in distress. I just wish she had more to do. Thankfully she isnot there to be ethans new love or anything like that.

Grade: B