"Ghost Protocol" is Awesome

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2011)

Tom Cruise slashes a side kick at the bad guy's head in a vicious fight in the Dubai Tower Hotel room. Almost 50, Cruise is as intense as ever and looks amazing. He is strong and fit executing deadly impact in his martial arts fight sequences. Under Director Brad Bird's lead Cruise displays distinct gravitas and an unexpected sense of humor as intrepid Agent Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol". I saw "Ghost Protocol" in IMAX, and it is visually breathtaking. Given the technology of the medium, apparently 25 minutes of the movie was filmed in IMAX. First time live-action Director Bird ("The Incredibles") selectively created action sequences for the effect including Cruise scaling the outside of the 160 plus story Dubai Tower, and demolition of the Kremlin. Bird generates amazing style, energy, and emotion. He and Cruise make this the best "Mission: Impossible". In fact "Ghost Protocol" may be one of the best movies of the year.
The scope of the movie is ambitious. Writers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec's story spans from Budapest, Russia, Dubai to Mumbai. The plot is often flimsy with Bird throttling through with manic velocity. The character driven story elevates "Ghost Protocol" with powerful Cruise and charismatic Jeremy Renner as Brandt. They have an unexpected fun chemistry. In a hysterical scene following a brutal assassination attempt, Brandt argues with Ethan about how he knew that using a flare and a dead body would ensure their escape. Intensity is both their strong suits, and their effacing humor is priceless. Bird always seems to influence the right tone.
As "Ghost Protocol" opens Agent Hanaway (rugged Josh Holloway) is gunned down by assassin Sabine Moreau (seductive Lea Seydoux) in failed mission operation—compromising Russian Nuclear Launch codes. Surprisingly, Ethan (Cruise) is captive in a Russian prison. At the conclusion of the last "Mission: Impossible" we recalled Ethan heading off into the sunset with his new wife, Julia. What went so wrong? IMF agents Jane (stunning Paula Patton) and Benji (comically ironic Simon Pegg) brazenly break Ethan out of prison, with unforeseen complications. Jane explains the reason for his rescue, and she confesses to Ethan her relationship with Hanaway in her blown op. Turns out anarchist physicist Hendricks (evil dour Michael Nyqvist) also associated with Cobalt, is determined to use the codes to initiate global thermal nuclear war.
Ethan and his team accept their mission which takes them to the Kremlin to stop Hendricks—here it gets a little fuzzy. However, in a massive conspiracy the Kremlin is reduced to rubble. In IMAX this has an eerie authenticity. Ethan, Jane, and Benji become framed for this terrorist act. The President invokes Ghost Protocol on the IMF, disavowing them. Ethan has clandestine meeting with resigning IMF Secretary (great and grave Tom Wilkinson) and "Analyst" Brandt (acute Renner). The Secretary offers him an out, but tragedy consumes.
Going rogue Ethan and his team must stop Hendricks. The mysterious Brandt is seemingly more than he appears. Here Appelbaum and Nemec's character play engrosses within the twirling story threads. Renner brilliantly balances his aloofness and courage as Brandt. He more than holds his own with the fighting sequences with Cruise. He is a physical presence. Brandt shares his dark secret with Jane. Paula Patton is stellar as Jane. Patton is stunningly beautiful and strong, but also plays emotionally wounded. Cruise has a poignant moment with Patton warning her that her revenge jeopardizes their mission. His Ethan confesses that he also knows what it is to lose someone you love. Pegg as Benji seems solely comic relief. Fortunately, Bird and the writers allow Pegg to expand and transform into a hero as well. Tom Cruise leaves nothing in the tank. He is awesome. He reminds us of his commanding presence and displays a maturing sense of mortality. And Tom does almost all of his stunts. In the grand scheme this makes "Ghost Protocol" soar. The distinction of the hero is that he is someone, who is in action. That is Cruise here. We cheer for him whether he is careening on the Dubai Tower or trying to stop the end of the world. Brad Bird delivers us the killer visual spectacle in his hero story. I love movie heroes. I love "Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol".