Not My Cup Of Tea, But Good At What It Does

Rating: 5/10 (10 March 2017)

Of the hundreds of movies I have reviewed so far, "Ghost Protocol" is one of the most difficult to assign a star ranking. Why? At its core, MI-4 is an action movie through-and-through. Judged solely by those characteristics, it is probably a four if not five-star effort. The problem? I'm not a big fan of films that feature action and little else.
For a basic plot summary, "Ghost Protocol" sees the IMF shut down due to a failed mission and operating under "ghost protocol" (no government involvement whatsoever). As such, the team of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), Jane Carter (Paula Patton), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), & William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) must go it alone in foiling a Russian nuclear plot.
What this movie most certainly does right is that it captures the essence of what "Mission Impossible" really is...action, adventure, crazy stunts, gadgets, and intense special effects. From its TV beginning, "MI" has always been strictly rooted in "spy film" characterization, and director Brad Bird (along with producer JJ Abrams) really nail that tone in "Ghost Protocol".
At the same time, though, this movie has a very limited scope. Either you like that kind of film- making...or you can only appreciate what it is trying to do (hence my three-star ranking). I mean, in terms of plot, "MI-4" is about as generic a spy plot as one can concoct. It is the type of film where the plot serves only as the vehicle for the next chase/fight/explosion/cool gadget. Again, it comes down to personal preference.
One thing that made the movie quite bearable for me, though, was the superb acting performances (especially from the auxiliary cast). Cruise is solid, but is nearly upending in the acting department by Renner (who I wish would have been given more screen time) & Pegg (the spot-on comedic relief that a film like this so desperately needs). Paula Patton? She proves that she can kick a little butt as well as seduce the high-class gentlemen with the best of them (!).
Overall, I appreciated what "Ghost Protocol" was trying to do in terms of movie-making, but because of personal preference I can't bring myself to truly enjoy it in a thorough sense of the word. I liked the "little stuff" (acting, comedy, etc.), but the "big picture" (no plot, all action) made it nearly impossible for this one to vault to the top of any "best of" lists of mine. Enjoy it for what it is worth.