Impossible to enjoy Mission Impossible? Not anymore....

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2011)

In director Brad Bird's first live action film, "MI:GP" succeeds what it sets out to do. It is a tight action spy film with some great sequences and awesome gadgets. Brad Bird is the director of some truly excellent films; albeit they are animated, but great none the less. His films like "Ratatouille", "The Incredibles" and "The Iron Giant" were all wonderful animated films with a lot of heart and good direction. Bird has proved to this reviewer he has the skill for live action feature films.
"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" brings us back to our hero Tom Cruise while he is locked up in a Russian prison. Of course the inevitable happens and he is broken out of jail in a really great opening sequence. Cruise and team assemble; their mission, prevent a nuclear launch. Unfortunately, their plans are curbed when the team is implicated in a massive bombing. The President decides to initiate "Ghost Protocol" which completely dismantles the "IMF" and paints Cruise and team as rogue agents. Their new mission, clear the IMF's name and save the world. Pretty basic stuff for a Mission Impossible movie.
Pretty basic, yes, but what a ride it is. First, I'd like to congratulate the scriptwriters on finally making a M.I. film with a tight and aggressive script. There was hardly a dull line in the entire movie. With the writers having primarily a television background they were able to get their points across quickly and effectively. Second, is of course the action sequences. Realistic, invigorating, suspenseful....just downright awesome. It is surely a fun ride and if you have a chance to see it in IMAX you will be blown away during the Dubai sequences. Location is another gem in this movie; Dubai, Russia, India are beautifully shot and give some very nice eye candy. But for me, the highlight were the gadgets and spy sequences, it wouldn't be a Mission Impossible film without great gadgets right!? Ghost Protocol doesn't disappoint. From gloves that stick to glass, visual projections and everything in between there is some really cool stuff in this film.
I can't go without commenting on Tom Cruise doing his own stunts. Regardless of what you think of him on a personal level, one has to admit him doing his own stunts was pretty incredible. There are some really hairy situations he gets into and I was very impressed he went the extra mile, I think it helped knowing he was actually doing the stunts while I was watching. I would say overall the acting was good, but not overly impressive. This isn't a drama film after all so I'm not taking any points away. Why would you go to a Mission Impossible movie for great acting? You go for the action, and if you keep that mindset, this film will be worth your time and money.