Far surpassed expectations! MUST SEE MOVIE!!!!

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2011)

I admit I am a fan of the previous 'MI' films (except for MI2), and I was already looking forward to 'Ghost Protocol'. But even my expectations were blown skyhigh with this EXTREMELY entertaining romp. Easily the best popcorn movie of the year, and quite frankly, one of the best spy adventures in quite a number of years. 'Ghost Protocol' has Out-Bonded Bond himself.
There are eyepopping action sequences, a huge variety of locations and settings, and just enough character drama to keep things bubbling along with tension, humor, and an unabashed sense of style and fun.
The cast are very likable and all deliver solid performances. Jeremy Renner pulls off his character arc with expert subtlety, and his subplot has a pleasantly surprising emotional weight to it. The gorgeous (and I do mean GORGEOUS) Paula Patton brings passion and heart to her role. The returning Simon Pegg adds perfectly timed levity to the often nerve-wracking action scenes. And Tom Cruise brings all the intensity, charm, and old-school moviestar magnetism as the IMF's top agent, Ethan Hunt. Looking amazingly fit and youthful, Cruise still adds an older world-weary dimension to Ethan this time around, that makes the character feel more rounded and interesting.
The ONLY minor nitpick that I have (and I do mean MINOR), is that the villain could have been fleshed out a bit more. Instead, he comes across as a little weak and generic. But director Brad Bird is so assured with his pacing and constantly lights more and more fuses to keep you glued to the screen, that the blandness of Michael Nqvist's baddie doesn't seem too glaring. Plus the fact that all the main characters are so appealing.
Trust me, towards the end, Brad Bird piles on so many different escalating crises on top of each other that the intensity becomes almost unbearable. It reminds us why we love cinema in the first place. This is a movie with a capital 'M'.
There are quite a few surprises in this film for those who have seen the previous 'MI' movies that are very satisfying. And the closing scene will melt even the most cynical of hearts.
So my message to you is BELIEVE THE CRITICS on this one. It has 95% fresh rating on Rotton Tomatoes for a reason. This is quite possibly the best of all the 'MI' films, and the most purely entertaining, thrilling, imaginative, and utterly enjoyable movie of this season. By far.
Oh, I also would say this is a film that MUST be seen on IMAX. It is a ripping good ride on the regular screens, but in IMAX it becomes a true roller-coaster experience. I had never been to IMAX before, and it was so much fun.
Highly recommended.