Movie Review - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Movie: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton
Directed by: Brad Bird

After three Mission: Impossible films you pretty much know what your going to get. Lots of high tech gadgets, disguises, car chases, some super secret item that can't fall into the wrong hands. Ghost Protocol gives you all the things that you'd expect but somehow still manages to feel fresh and hold your interest. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt and does admirably although the character is less than challenging. New addition Simon Pegg as computer expert Benji Dunn brings some comedic relief lighten the film up a bit. The plot here is typical for these type of films and really is of no consequence.There are some nice surprises but if you're expecting mystery and intrigue then this film will surely disappoint.  Only the original film really succeeded in that element.

However, what the movie does excel at is the action which begins at the opening credits and doesn't stop for a minute. Director Brad Bird does an excellent job of setting up the different action sequences so that while being rather implausible you stay with them. It would be easy for a film like this to cross the line into eye roll inducing action movie ridiculousness but it manages to stay right behind the line. The action scenes also make good use of some exotic locales that have not been seen on film before like the tallest building in the world in Dubai or a parking garage where in  Mumbai where a machine parks the cars automatically moving them up and down the many levels. The scene in Dubai is particularly spectacular for it's real sense of danger and use of great heights. Many of the gadgets are interesting as well and not too beyond believability. Like a screen that displays whatever is behind it at just the right angle to create a 3-D illusion. Or contacts that take pictures when you blink (in the first film they were glasses so fake technology is progressing).

Ghost Protocol inserts just the right level of wit and humor without detracting from the action or making the film feel like one of those buddy cop movies. Simon Pegg does a wonderful job as the Computer Expert on the team who has never really had much experience in real life missions. Jeremy Renner's Agent Brandt is good counter balance to Cruise's character as well. This is also chance to add a human element to the film and resolve some issues about what exactly happened between MI:III and Ghost Protocol. Which is all wrapped up neatly in the final scene which also sets up the possibility of a MI:5.

If you like action films or to have fun at the movies then Ghost Protocol is far superior to any of the summer movies that came out this year or the past couple of years even.