Mission Impossible 4 = possibly the best

Rating: 9/10 (7 January 2012)

It's been five years since Tom Cruise had starred in a Mission: Impossible film. In those five years Cruise has made Lions for Lambs, Tropic Thunder, Valkyrie, and Knight and Day; each film successful in its own right. Cruise also made headlines with a couch-hopping declaration of love for his much younger girlfriend, Katie Holmes, on the Oprah Winfrey show. Although Mission: Impossible was a successful franchise, expectations for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol weren't high.
Brad Bird, known for Pixar's Ratatouille and The Incredibles, was Director on Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, his first live-action film. Surprisingly, the transition from animation to live-action was an easy one; Ghost Protocol was an extremely well made film. Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, both writers with a proved record of producing quality scripts for television, wrote a fantastic screenplay for the film. The storyline isn't necessarily original; I mean how many different ways can you expect terrorist to do what they do? However, its how the story is delivered that makes it work so well. There's nothing difficult for a viewer to follow or understand. The film is paced by the many high octane action sequences, as well as the elevated level of energy displayed by the characters. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, performs most, if not all, of his own stunts, and is at the top of his game. One scene takes place in the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is located in Dubai, and is intense; but when you realize that Cruise did not use a stunt double for the sequence, it gives you an all new appreciation for the man and his abilities. Simon Pegg returns as Benji, and adds light humor without turning the movie into a mockery. Jeremy Renner, who was rumored to be taking over the franchise from Cruise, is a welcome addition to the IMF team as William Brandt. Renner continues a run of brilliant performances, which began with his Oscar nominated performance in The Hurt Locker, followed by another Oscar nomination for The Town. I think Renner is extremely talented, however I wonder about his being involved in too many franchises as he's been cast as Hawkeye in the upcoming The Avengers, as well as appearing in the forthcoming The Bourne Legacy currently filming. Paula Patton makes her Mission: Impossible debut as Jane Carter. Patton does a fine job, and holds her own alongside such experienced actors. The only disappointment for me, was that Ving Rhames, who appeared as Luther Stickell in the prior three films, only makes a short cameo.
Tom Cruise has re-established himself as an action hero and shown he is capable of moving the franchise forward; no passing of the baton is necessary. Brad Bird has put himself in position to be a well sought out Director, and deservingly so. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is not only a welcome addition to the series, but may just be the best of them. If you like well constructed action sequences, stunt work impressively choreographed, and an all around fun film to enjoy; then make seeing Ghost Protocol, mission possible.
Grade: A
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