Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) returns for another installment of the famous Mission Impossible film series (based on the also-famous-for-its generation-television series), this time directed by Brad Bird (Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille), this being his first big budgeted, live action feature. In Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Hunt and his team are left to their own devices when the President activates “Ghost Protocol,” disavowing the IMF after a bombing of the Kremlin is pinned on the organization. As the tag line – “No Plan. No Backup. No Choice”- suggests, the ragtag team including Jane (Paula Patton), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Brandt (Jeremy Renner) must clear their name and save the world from nuclear war. A day in the life for Ethan Hunt. Cruise’s Hunt is so much the stateside equivalent of James Bond, especially in Ghost Protocol, that the nuclear code lock combination is expected to be “007” instead of the revealed “000.” Brad Bird proves more than capable of handling the action and Tom Cruise still has it, appearing more comfortable on screen than ever before. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is spectacular and riveting with brilliant, intense action set pieces, beautifuly breathtaking locations, and gadgets galore. Oh, and to quote Ethan Hunt, “Wait to you see the car.” All of which must be seen in IMAX.
One of the most impressive things about Ghost Protocol is the use of locations: Dubai, Prague, Moscow, Mubai and Bengaluru. Whether in the Kremlin courtyard or on the side of the Burj Khalifa tower, it is nothing short of amazing. Shot is followed by gorgeously composed shot, stunning and awe-inspiring. They are so incredible that many of the locations become a character themselves, especially Dubai and Russia. The shots involving the Burj Khalifa tower are the highlight of the film, enhanced by the use of IMAX cameras & film and are jaw-droppingly exquisite. They are immediately followed by an equally impressive sand storm leading to a gripping car chase through the streets of the famed city. The film makes the most out of its locations.
Ghost Protocol also makes the most out of its star, Tom Cruise. This outing allows the star to relax and be the hero alongside his costars instead of over top them. Having him rely so heavily on Renner, Pegg, and Patton to carry the film (and the plot) by his side really pays off, providing Cruise with his best action role in recent years. His performance is more natural and charming than each of the prior times he has stepped into Ethan Hunt’s shoes. Not only does he give Hunt the famous disarming smile, he also brings a unique intelligence to the role that stands out, and a much needed sense of humor. The character pokes fun at the contrivances of spy films (Mission: Impossible films in particular, where the “self destruct” fails to expire in the appropriate amount of time), even to the point where he comically delivers this film’s miss-intended catch phrase “Mission Accomplished.” It’s good to have Tom Cruise back.
Coming off a series of highly successful Disney and Pixar films, director Brad Bird proves he more than capable of handling a live action film – and a high profile, high octane one at that! He crafts the action sequences with focus, attention to detail and exciting composition. Ghost Protocol has some of the most exciting set pieces of 2011, from escaping a Russian prison, to infiltrating the Kremlin, to scaling the outside of Burj Kalifa tower, to an exhilarating chase seen through the streets of Dubai. It is impressive and promising. However, it’s the shots in between these scene where we see a director who is still maturing. The handling of the quieter scenes are less impressive and are at times a bit dull. It may be due to the fact that there isn’t much chemistry or tension between the two male stars who share a good portion of the screen time together. There’s something about the interaction between Cruise and Renner that doesn’t click. They’re no Murtough and Riggs, nor should they be; but at times it feels like they are awkwardly approaching that sort of cinematic pairing. It doesn’t work, and it hurts the small but elevated sub-plot concerning Hunt, his wife and Brandt, so much so that it fails to deliver. However, the good news is that these scenes are short and few and far between, keeping the focus of the film on the main plot and the action – and on the director’s strengths.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is one of the few films that come out each year that are presented in IMAX, filmed with IMAX cameras. It is also one of the best examples of using IMAX. This film swallows the audience whole. It totally envelopes you in rich landscapes, spectacular action and magnificent cinematic scope and composition. The visuals alone will raise your pulse and the shots off the Burj Kalifa tower will cause you to gasp. It is a very impressive and accomplished display of what IMAX can bring to a film.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a terrific action film and the best of the Mission Impossible films, even if it ironically is least like a Mission Impossible film out of the bunch. With Hunt and the IMF team no longer directly associated with the organization, they are afforded the opportunity to step outside the box and poke fun at themselves, spy films, action films, and common Mission: Impossible cliches. The result is a highly entertaining and successful action film. Cruise is fantastic and returns to form. Simon Pegg is hilarious as Benji and is allowed to be an action hero not just the film’s comic relief. Paula Patton is stunningly beautiful and striking as an action vixen, providing the only genuine emotional core to the film. Renner, while effective, feels a little out of place and out of sync with the other three. It could easily be written off as a plot device – he is the outsider of the group – but his character never works off Cruise as well as Pegg and Patton. Oh, and don’t forget a brilliant, comedic turn by Anil Kapoor (Slum Dog Millionaire) in a killer cameo. Catch Ghost Protocol in IMAX if you can. Catch it in theater if at all possible. It’s not the best film of the year, but it is the best action film.
-Doc Rotten
