Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

I had never seen a Tom Cruise film before this one. It’s not that I necessarily made it a point to avoid them, but I definitely didn’t seek them out. Though I don’t agree with Cruise as a person, I must admit that I really liked Ghost Protocol.

I have never seen the first three films in this series, but I didn’t have too much trouble following the story; really, the story isn’t all that complicated. Ghost Protocol is a movie that delights in almost being a caricature of the action genre, which the title, Mission Impossible, already hints at. Why not make a ridiculous prison escape? Why not climb a skyscraper with zero safety equipment? Why not chase down the bad guy in the middle of a sandstorm? Tom Cruise has the sort of actor persona that allows him to perform these typically impossible feats without raising too much disbelief from the audience; we’re just here to sit back and enjoy the ride, and enjoy it we do.

I did feel that some of the action scenes dragged on a bit too long, though, particularly the aforementioned sandstorm chase and a later chase seen that involves a high-tech parking garage. I don’t think these scenes should have been scrapped altogether because they definitely did contain elements that were truly exciting and fun, but it went on for so long that I began glancing down at my watch and wondering how much longer Cruise was going to chase after the bad guy.

That complaint is small, though, in an otherwise fantastic film. It has action, action, and more action, but Brad Bird, being the expert director that he is (he is responsible for The Iron Giant and The Incredibles), approaches all of it in a way that is a pleasure to behold rather than a series of loud and excessive explosions, as might be seen in the typical Michael Bay film. With an awesome score provided by frequent Bird collaborator Michael Giacchino and a memorable performance from Cruise, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is an action-packed thrill ride that promises the world on a plate and gives it to you. I am no longer quite so reluctant to view Tom Cruise films.

-Chad

Rating: 4 (out of 5)

MPAA: for sequences of intense action and violence

P.S. – Read my review of this film’s score, composed by Michael Giacchino, here!