A sequel up to par with the others in the franchise (and genre)

Rating: 7/10 (16 December 2011)

In 1966 there was a hit television show called Mission: Impossible about an elite covert unit which carried out their assignments with high-tech equipment and elaborate deceptions. Some may argue that this show may have drawn the blueprint for most spy TV shows and movies to follow.Â
30 years later, Paramount Pictures brought the Mission: Impossible to the big screen with Tom Cruise as the major star headlining the action which had been cranked up several notches. The gear the unit used was now ultra-high-tech and the deceptions were mind blowing. Almost all spy/action movies that followed, including the two Mission: Impossible sequels were built based on the design of the 1996 blockbuster.Â
But the times, they are a'changin'...well, sort of.Â
In recent years the James Bond franchise was rebooted, making it more "contemporary" by casting Daniel Craig as the latest actor to play Bond in a long line of 007's. For the better part of the last decade, Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon has pretty much dominated the spy movie genre with Hollywood's rendition of The Bourne Trilogy, a series of novels by Robert Ludlum. Damon has gone on record as stating he will not return for another turn as the amnesiac assassin.
I bring up these two points because Mission Impossible â€“ Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment in the Mission Impossible saga that has spanned 15 years, was rumored to be a reboot due to the feeling from critics that the "franchise is played out and its star over- exposed" after the Mission Impossible III was released. Well, Tom Cruise is back as not only the star but also a producer along with J.J. Abrams who also directed the the last installment. With that being said, not much is different about "Ghost Protocol" (which obviously not a reboot) from the three previous films.
What it is however, is a convincing testament to the capabilities of IMAX technology to capture breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and adrenaline pumping action sequences. Thankfully both director, Brad Bird (The Incredibles) and cinematographer Robert Elswit showcase how IMAX is a serious rival to the over-saturation of 3D movies that have flooded theaters in recent years. As with any successful spy film, the script toes a fine line between being too complex and intricate for audiences to follow and too simple and superficial to adequately motivate viewers into committing their time and money. In this case, Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and the entire Impossible Mission Force has been disavowed by the US Government for alleged terroristic acts against the Russians. It is up to Hunt and his team to prove their innocence while simultaneously save the world from a mad man bent on starting a nuclear war.
As I mentioned earlier, not much is different from this film than the others (or any "good" spy film for that matter) other than the team of agents whom Hunt works with. Paula Patton (Just Wright) plays Jane Carter, an agent with a personal grudge motivating her involvement with the team. Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) plays as IMF analyst who gets accidentally gets involved in the mayhem. Rounding out the team, is Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, the teams technical analyst, a role he reprises from the last Mission: Impossible III. And although Ving Rhames has been mentioned as being the only other actor other than Cruise who has been in all four "Impossible" movies, I was very disappointed that he only has a minuscule cameo about the same length of Josh Holloway's (Lost) brief role.
Last year Tom Cruise spoofed his Ethan Hunt character in last years "Knight and Day" showing a bit of a comedic side to his often criticized image, but in M:I Ghost Recon, it isÂ Pegg who at many times serves as a welcome comic relief, playing foil to Cruise's stoic demeanor and attitude.Â
Unfortunately, Patton who flirted with an action role in "Deja Vu" never looks completely comfortable or convincing in her portrayal of an super secret agent just never comes across as more than her "pretending". However there is a scene where she does shine briefly, sharing the screen with Anjil Kapoor from Slumdog Millionaire.Â
Renner on the other hand, may be the one who reveals Paramount's hand as far as the future of the M:I franchise. Once Cruise or studio executives or audiences decide its time for someone other than Ethan Hunt to lead the team, William Brandt will be a capable replacement, assuming the capable Renner is the actor playing the part.Â
Overall, Mission:Impossible Ghost Protocol plays to its strengths; action, action and more action but I cannot understate how much the IMAX experience really enhances the viewers immersion into the film. Not only visually, but the sounds of the film come across as another character.
If you're already a fan of Mission: Impossible franchise, go see this installment which is up to par with the others (and the other aforementioned action/spy movies). If you aren't however, don't be afraid to venture out and be amazed at the technology that elevates this movie to being the most memorable out of the Mission: Impossible movies.