Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol delivers exactly what it promises; an old fashioned, edge of your seat, popcorn munching roller-coaster ride. I’ve said before that not all films have to be intellectual masterpieces. Sometimes, just a well crafted adrenaline ride is all you need for a good time at the movies. This is one of those.
Tom Cruise returns as IMF super spy Ethan Hunt. The opening scene of a government team breaking him out of a Russian prison sets the stage for the introduction of all the characters on the new team and also sets the action tone of the movie. Simon Pegg’s Benji is brought out of his lab rat role in previous MI films and adds comic relief as a newly minted field agent. Paula Patton combines seductiveness and toughness as Jane, the film’s eye candy. Up and comer Jeremy Renner as analyst Brandt (rumors that he may take over the franchise from Cruise) who has a secret past of his own rounds out the team.
The villain of the story is Michael Nyqvist, playing the rogue scientist Hendricks, who is obsessed with blowing up the world through orchestrating a nuclear war. He feels that only the fittest would survive and make the human race stronger (very 80’s Bond plot). Hendricks blows up the Kremlin and is able to frame the IMF team in the process. Eager to avoid a war with Russia, the American government institutes ‘Ghost Protocol’ and disavows the entire team. So, not only is Ethan and team trying to save the world, but they are on their own while doing it.
Let’s be honest though, the plot is there to showcase the spectacular stunt scenes...and spectacular they are. The one they play so over and over in the trailers that you would think you would be numb to it in the film takes place on the world’s tallest building; the Burg Khalifa in Dubai. Reportedly Tom Cruise insisted on doing the stunts himself and not only that, but his stunt man was too afraid of heights to do it himself. I’m not sure whether to respect Cruise’s courage or think he should be committed (I still remember the Oprah couch jumping incident). Regardless, the trailers don’t prepare you for the intense arm rest clenching and vertigo from the scene. Kudos to the stunt coordinator on this as it is one of the best cliff hanger scenes I’ve ever seen.
Like most of these types of movies, the action takes the IMF team around the globe to exotic locales. This one doesn’t disappoint. Paula Patton makes a strong impression while seducing an Indian billionaire in Mumbai (played by Indian Bollywood star Anil Kappor). In fact, all the characters bring their action A performances. Simon Pegg struck just the right tone of comic relief, but still indispensable as the laptop tech geek who can walk into any building and take over it’s elevators, cameras, and security systems.
There were many other spectacular stunts that are not getting the attention of the Dubai tower scene. The scene were Benji leads Brandt through an air ventilation system by making him wear a magnetic suit that he controls from his laptop was unique, but it worked. The fight scene in a space age parking garage where they battled atop of moving platforms was equally effective and nail biting. The Director Brad Bird (whose previous credits were all animated films) did a great job and was a risky yet inspired choice to helm the film.
The film was fun and time well spent. I won’t rate it as one of the top films of the year, but i will rate it as one of the top films I had fun at this year. If you go with that mind set then I highly recommend it.
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