Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) by The Critical Movie Critics

Movie Review: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)


The Church of Scientology must’ve numbed Tom Cruise to fear (or common sense) — it’s the only explanation for the stunts he does in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol — because the actor dangles 100 stories in the air outside Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. And although it’s awfully hard to believe he agreed to be holstered up that high (regardless of the use of any nets, harnesses or wires), one can’t deny Cruise’s magnetic screen presence. So whether or not you’re a fan of his various media appearances (or simply a bystander who can’t forget his infamous “couch-jumping incident”) you can prepare to be charmed, and in my case, feel emasculated by his Ethan Hunt’s “no problem” approach to facing down global terrorism.

Shot in IMAX format, the production benefits from excess, with brilliant photography and top-notch special effects being exaggerated by massive wall-to-wall screens and booming surround sound. Like the plot, it’s all about shock-and-awe.

Helmed by Brad Bird, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment to the blockbuster series, marks the director’s live-action debut after overseeing acclaimed Pixar animations like “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles.” Penned by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, it follows Hunt (Cruise), Jane (the foxy Paula Patton), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Brant (Jeremy Renner), a ragtag troupe of disavowed IMF (Impossible Missions Force) agents forced to go rogue after being implicated in the bombing the Kremlin during an operation. With limited supplies and no backup, their mission is to clear the organization’s name and capture Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), an extremist armed with Russian nuclear launch codes, whose goal is to cleanse the world via total destruction, believing that it would lead to peace. Yet, to the rest of us, the only outcome is another World War, and thankfully, the orphaned team has our back.

Those unfamiliar with the franchise, fret not. Aside from an occasional tongue-in-cheek reference, the film is totally accessible, and it boils down to the fact that punches, gunshots, and wild car chases are fun in every context. Though, with all of the goofy tech (e.g., remote controlled magnets, information portals disguised as pay phones and, my personal favorite, gloves that cling to hard surfaces — allowing the wearer to scale buildings like a fly on a wall), don’t expect much realism.

The script caters to that playfulness. With a slew of larger-than-life characters and situations, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol quickly establishes itself as popcorn entertainment. Benji is one of the standouts and chickenhearted audiences should find his paranoia relatable (. . . I know I did): Huffing and puffing over the simplest tasks, he’s the guy with the computer and, for the most part, he’s content with that. His wisecracks keep the movie from taking itself too seriously. But, one problem with the screenplay is how the writers approach Hendricks; despite a great performance by Nyqvist, there’s no forgiving the character’s stock antagonism. Rounding out the supporting cast, Renner plays an analyst with one of those dark secrets which threaten our opinion of the protagonist — in this case, Hunt. Unfortunately, it all leads down to an amazingly corny conclusion. And it isn’t cheesy the way action films normally are, in fact the schlock is more akin to a romantic comedy.

Nevertheless, while there are more effective ways of spending millions of dollars, none are as entertaining or awe-inspiring as blowing up a Russian national icon or choreographing a large-scale fight scene inside a maximum security prison.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
4 Star Rating: Good

4

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'Movie Review: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)' have 8 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 17, 2011 @ 10:41 am Jackson

    That stunt on the skyscraper was sickening. The climax was a letdown though — a fight with an old guy in a car park? Really?

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 17, 2011 @ 12:29 pm cripsco

    A few too many down pieces for my liking but when it does get going, it gets going good. Oh and Paula Patton, where did she come from..yowsers, she is fine!

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 17, 2011 @ 4:00 pm Fingerlab

    Best movie in the series. Great mix of story and action, and Simon Pegg was great as the comic foil.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 17, 2011 @ 10:08 pm Sara

    Tom Cruise gets a bad rap (people still rag on him about his Oprah moment and his religious beliefs, including you) but the man has still got it.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 18, 2011 @ 11:48 am Hero Fart

    I love these ridiculously trumped up secret agent flicks. Ethan Hunt is one of the best!

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 18, 2011 @ 3:18 pm Derek

    For playing such a major role to the plot, the destruction of the Kremlin gets surprisingly little screen time. I’d have loved to see more of that…

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 19, 2011 @ 10:21 am Chuppy

    Good review Mariusz.

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    January 7, 2012 @ 10:44 pm ben

    To all the haters – Tom Cruise still has the chops to pull off a blockbuster!

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