Worthy Mission

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2012)

"Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol" Rated "PG-13" for Adult Situations, Adult Language, Adult Scenes, Violence & Mild Gore. Running Time: 2hrs&13mn. Three Stars (Out of ****)
This summer (as of this writing it is 2012) Tom Cruise will turn 50 years old. Seems unbelievable, doesn't it? Has it really been 29 years since he first made a name for himself by dancing around in his underwear singing along to Bob Seger? As a box office marquee headliner for nearly three decades, he shows no sign of slowing down at all. In fact, Cruise's latest movie would have you believe the man has discovered the fountain of youth. After all, he's rumored to have done a majority of his own stunts in his latest action picture including a brilliant sequence where he actually scales the world's tallest building in Dubai (albeit in multiple safety harnesses, digitally erased).
"Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol," the fourth entry in the "M:I" series, is an extraordinarily well-made high octane action picture. There is international intrigue, a sleek sexy J-Crew looking assassin, multi-layered political agendas, action, suspense and the fate of global dominance hanging in the balance.
Tom Cruise reprises his role as Impossible Missions Force (IMF) super agent Ethan Hunt. His team is tracking the elusive Hendricks in the Kremlin archives, who is believed to have Russian nuclear launch-codes with ambitions to launch a missile strike against the U.S. With Hunt's team on the scene, a bomb destroys most of the Kremlin and Hunt's group is framed as the terrorist masterminds behind it. Formally, the U.S. government will hunt (pun?) them down to bring them to justice. Before this can happen, the President initiates "Ghost Protocol," the covert black operation of the IMF. Under the "Ghost Protocol," Ethan Hunt's team is cut off from all resources and the U.S. government has disavowed the entire IMF.
Hunt has only his wit, team and allies to help him save the U.S. and subsequently the world from disaster. He is joined in his quest by the lovely, yet hard as nails Jane (Paula Patton, "Precious") and his globe trotting I.T. expert Benji (Simon Pegg, "Shawn of the Dead"). IMF analyst William Brandt (Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker") joins their quest after the head of IMF (Tom Wilkinson, "Batman Begins") is assassinated.
"Ghost Protocol" boasts two of the most memorable action sequences in multiplex cinema in recent years. The first remarkable action sequence is by itself the crown jewel of the entire "Mission: Impossible" film franchise in terms of conception and presentation. I understand this sequence is presented in the 1:44 aspect ratio during the IMAX showings. No doubt in IMAX, this scene will trigger virtual vertigo in some audience members. The other sequence involves a futuristic-looking multi-level parking garage. My compliments on the originality of that scene. Finally, something audiences haven't seen before or, at the very least, haven't seen with this level (pun?) of sheen.
This is an amazing live action feature film debut for director Brad Bird. He is best known as the director of animated fare like "The Iron Giant" (1999), "The Incredibles" (2004) and "Ratatouille" (2007). All of those animated movies are planned and storyboarded to perfection before being set to film. It is apparent Bird's initial concept planning of "Ghost Protocol" was conducted in a similar fashion to his animated works. No doubt every action scene was storyboarded with exceptional care and on the big screen it clearly shows.
Interestingly, the "Mission: Impossible" film series has had an quite an array of film directors: Brian De Palma ("The Untouchables" 1987), John Woo ("Face Off" 1997), J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek" 2009) and now Brad Bird. Each director has painted their distinctive style on their individual film canvasses. All four films are a little different: the first movie was suspense driven, the second was over-the-top action, the third a crowd pleaser and the latest venture is a live-action cartoon crossed with James Bond.
Though I recommend this picture, I feel it necessary to point something out. This movie is very high gloss on craftsmanship, style and execution. However, like its predecessors, it is deficient in the character department. It is also a little dry. Not by much, but enough to notice. Maybe that doesn't matter. The "Mission: Impossible" series exists to entertain us in the here and now. You may enjoy these films while watching them, but once they're over you tend to forget about them. Ethan Hunt does not stick with you the same way Jason Bourne, John McClane or Indiana Jones do. Yet the "M:I" films are fun movies to watch "in the moment." That is where they reign best.
Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures seem pleased with the current box-office returns on "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol." A fifth film in the series is currently planned. Though for Cruise to continue his role in future "M:I" entries is in question. The introduction of Renner's Brandt character is part of a deliberate failsafe plan from the studio behind the picture: should Cruise opt out of future "M:I" films, Brandt would become the central protagonist to carry the torch of this series. However, that would really surprise me. Tom Cruise is currently in the early talks to appear in the proposed "Top Gun II." I'm sure that film won't be light on action. Also, he hasn't shown me any signs of slowing down yet. I think he has a few more years in action pictures. Time will tell.
Speculation aside, "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" is a great example of how a meticulously well-thought-out thriller should be. The style, pacing and elaborate action sequences are expertly pieced together. It's easily the best film in this series to date. Just sit back, let the movie do its thing and enjoy it "in the now."