Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Review

Source: Wikipedia

Continuing the trend of Hollywood's blockbuster sequels in 2011 is the unmistakable Tom Cruise-driven Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, the fourth instalment of the massively popular saga. In a record breaking year, MI4 is one amongst a staggering 28 follow-up films and it's safe to say it can be ranked high up that list.

Once again delving into the world of politics and global relations, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol sees a return to the first Cruise Mission Impossible outing, specifically with the IMF being disavowed following an incident at the Kremlin. When a bomb goes off at the famous site, Ethan Hunt and his team are found at the scene of the crime and immediately the blame is pinned on them. With this revelation reaching government agencies globally the IMF is shut down and they soon find themselves going rogue in an attempt to clear their names.

The IMF now consists of just four members, each with their own separate part to play. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is at the heart of the operation, heading towards any situation involving danger. Benji (Simon Pegg) continues to aid Hunt and his team through his technical and computer wizardry. Jane (Paula Patton) is an agent mourning the death of a close personal partner and is out for retribution. And, Brandt (Jeremy Renner) is a senior analyst with field experience looking to help uncover the real truth behind the Kremlin bombing.


With their unique skill sets, the foursome travel across the globe, from locales spanning Dubai, India and beyond, confronting the threat posed by villain, Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), and his crew. Can the IMF uncover the truth with limited resources or does this sound the end for Hunt and his motley crew?

Following the conventions of its predecessors, Ghost Protocol is very much a Tom Cruise movie. He is the main attraction of the show and, truth be told, as usual he continues to show his credentials as one of the best action movie stars there is. Despite a huge focus on the less-than-tall Hollywood heavyweight, he is backed up by a superb gang in the form of Simon Pegg, Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner, each with unique performances to admire.

In terms of humour, Simon Pegg's Benji is a show stealer, delivering the best one liner's in the movie and convincingly portraying the computer geek. The addition of Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner are welcome ones too; Patton adding a powerful and beautiful female to proceedings whilst Renner introduces further brawn and  superb acting abilities.

In addition to the exceptional cast, director Brad Bird creates some truly unbelievable set pieces throughout the 2 hours+ duration, most notably a scene in Dubai that may well be one of the best of 2011. Involving the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa tower, we witness Tom Cruise (who incidentally did not use a stunt double) proceed to climb the staggering structure and eventually jump from it. Hearts will flutter throughout that particular moment, no doubt.

For Brad Bird, directing his first ever live-action film, this is a monumental success story. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol delivers in every aspect of an action movie; beautiful locations, a solid storyline with some neat twists and turns and plenty of adrenaline-filled chase and fight sequences. Capping off 2011 with a bang, Ghost Protocol is one of the best action films of the year.