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.

Cinema Review - Jack Reacher

Much has been made of Tom Cruise's casting as the title character in Jack Reacher but such is life with some adaptations of books these days. Fortunately, I went into the film with no knowledge of the character from the books, but after leaving the cinema I will be seeking out the books to compare. Such is the strength of Jack Reacher that it has compelled me to head to the source material and make comparisons.

Moving on to the film itself, Jack Reacher sees the title character (Cruise), a loner, a stray, a drifter, whatever description you see fit, called into investigation when a mystery sniper shoots a number of innocent individuals seemingly at random. When the suspected culprit calls on Reacher, it appears a much wider web of deceit and lies has been weaved and a person like Reacher may be the only one who can solve the case.

Casting choice aside, Jack Reacher is a well-oiled machine of an action thriller. Providing its fair share of invigorating set pieces, combat scenes and intelligence, it is among one of the most clever thrillers in recent times. While many would suggest that an actor such as Liam Neeson would have been deemed fit for the billing, it is undeniable that Tom Cruise can carry a film of this magnitude and once again does so with ease.

Supported by the likes of Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins and the impressive David Oyelowo, Cruise is in good company, and one cannot forget the vindictive turn of one Werner Herzog. Given few scenes in which to make an impact, Herzog tackles his role as chief villain by the scruff of the neck and leaves a shiver down the spine with every word he utters. It is almost a let-down that he is given so little time to leave an impact, but a professional such as he delivers all the same.

Breaking away from the blockbusting Mission: Impossible franchise for the time being, Tom Cruise delivers yet another thrilling encounter and this time proves brawn and intelligence can be combined to provide an enthralling film experience. Many may argue the toss on casting and relation to Lee Childs' books but in terms of filmmaking Jack Reacher is one not to be ignored. 

Film Rating: 4 F's out of 5

Cinema Review - Rock Of Ages

Are you ready to rock? If the answer to that question is yes then you are in for one hell of a treat. Heading straight from theatres into the local multiplex comes the film version of the much praised stage show Rock Of Ages, and together with a superb ensemble cast, the film supplies two hours of anthems and sheer joy.


Sherrie (Julianne Hough) has travelled from her hometown in Oklahoma to seek stardom in Los Angeles as a singer. Upon arrival she finds herself mugged of her collection of records only to meet Bourbon Club worker Drew (Diego Boneta), who manages to help her get a job at the club once convincing owner Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin) and his assistant Lonny (Russell Brand) that she would be a good bartender.


Whilst Sherrie and Drew spark a romantic relationship, the Bourbon Club prepares for the final gig of Stacee Jaxx's (Tom Cruise) career as a member of superstar rock band, Arsenal. With rock and roll at the pinnacle of the music business, there are a number of locals who strongly oppose the music and at the front of all protests lies Patricia Whitmore (Catherina Zeta-Jones), the mayor's wife, who will stop at nothing to ban it for good.

As Sherrie and Drew's relationship and dreams slowly hit a curve in the road, Stacee Jaxx finds himself feeling the effects of being a 'slave to rock and roll', and in Rolling Stone magazine's Constance Sack (Malin Akerman), realises he may have found the woman to usurp all those he has been showering himself with. Cue plenty of catchy numbers, a few surprising voices in the mix and a host of unbelievable performances, and Rock Of Ages gives you plenty of bang for your buck.


Containing such an impressive ensemble cast, Rock Of Ages could have suffered from overload but each star is given their chance to shine and none fail to deliver the goods. Hough and Boneta's chemistry represents a blossoming relationship you cannot help but will on, and Baldwin and Brand show off their own unique talents with an unlikely romance and sparkling moments of comedic genius. The likes of Akerman, Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige and Paul Giamatti all contribute to keep proceedings solid as a rock, but in truth it is Tom Cruise who steals the stage as rocker Stacee Jaxx.

Channelling rock gods such as Axl Rose, Jim Morrison and Keith Richards, Cruise revels in his unrecognisable role as rock idol Stacee Jaxx and even proves that he really does possess an incredible singing voice. Commanding each and every scene he appears in, Cruise acts exactly how a rock star should and blows away the audience with great ease.


Along with unleashing inner rock into the souls of his leading cast members, director Adam Shankman has copious amounts of fun blending a familiar storyline with songs that will get those toes tapping and even induce moments where you just want to get out of your seat and rock out. Shankman never lets up, with breathers a non-existence and this helps to ensure the two hours of songs, fun and frolics flies by. 


At times cheesy and cringe-worthy, Rock Of Ages does seem rather familiar at times but manages to make 120 minutes seem like five minutes with a quirky bunch of characters and some truly emphatic anthems. Whether you are a fan of Def Leppard, Journey, Poison or any other legendary rock band, or just a sucker for musicals, Rock Of Ages provides all the ingredients for a laughter-inducing feel-good session. Believe me, you will come out of it with a big smile on your face!


Film rating - 4 F's out of 5

New Mission Impossible 4 Trailer

That's right people, with Mission Impossible 4 to hit our cinema screens at the end of the year director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) has finally released a second trailer for the highly anticipated sequel.


When a bombing hits the Kremlin the government point the finger at Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team, leaving them on the run and a constant target being hunted down. With 4 of the team remaining (Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton) they have to go rogue and attempt to clear theirs and the organisation's names.


Check out the trailer via Yahoo! Movies below!

It sure looks to be an action packed affair and any fears about Brad Bird's first live action film look to be banished as Mission Impossible 4 could be set to be yet another fantastic mission for Ethan hunt and his crew.


Mission Impossible is out in cinemas in the UK on Boxing Day.