‘Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol’ is another Exciting Adventure!
You may find this surprising but here’s the truth: I’ve never seen a Mission: Impossible film. Given my fondness for cool spy thrillers it’s hard to believe albeit true.
Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol (2011) Film Review
Working as one of IMF’s top agents is a way of life for the Secretary of State’s best “man,” or it was until five years ago. This is when Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) walked away from it all for the right girl. Or so he thinks. What he didn’t anticipate is his former enemies pursuit of him. Now for his troubles, he sits in a Moscow prison. Rumors abound as to the “why” he’s here. Some say Julia left him, others assume he’s a lost cause in the aftermath of his beloved wife’s death.
The world again needs Ethan Hunt. This time he teams up with some new friends. 'Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol' is another Exciting Adventure! Share on XCunning field agent, Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and the techie-turned-field-agent, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) need Ethan’s skills. He may be a bit off in his game… but they need him. So, naturally, they break him out of prison. As they set up shop, they’re in a race against time to stop a deadly attack on U.S. soil. A terrorist named Hendricks has nuclear launch codes. This after an IMF mission goes array, a mission led by Jane who now looks for redemption. Along the way, they acquire the assistance of an analyst named William Brandt (Jeremy Renner). With little time to get done the impossible done, Ethan sets out to stop Hendricks as they jet set across the world.
For some reason I’ve never much cared for Tom Cruise. Admittedly, this isn’t fair given that I’ve not seen him in many productions. Putting this out there as fact, I do think Cruise is the “face” of this franchise. (I’ll try to put aside all thoughts of him needing a haircut and just go with it. Really, I am trying.) Without his name front and center, these Mission: Impossible thrillers would be different.
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Most thrillers have trapdoors they fall into. In many spheres they may not even realize it because film-makers are caught up in crafting the next “perfect,” million-dollar blockbuster but it’s an accurate and fair assessment. MI:4 fits this when it comes to the action sequences but it shies away from a lot of the typical ones, and I appreciate this. For example this isn’t a romance, and I like that MI:4 doesn’t push any of the potential romantic tensions. This almost always gets “messy.” The beautiful locales certainly could easily play to romance, but even this doesn’t sway writers.
All of the characters suffer from a tragic back-story. Ethan and Jane suffer the loss of the people they thought were their “life loves.” I think this makes both of them cautious. In a few instances, the film gets caught up in tedious scenes and subplots. Plus, it falters here and there without excitement, and leaves a viewer wishing to speed up the timeline. Most are here to further the suspense, still, they could have been written or filmed differently but then the action sequences more than compensate us, considering they are not just high-octane but also insanely impossible. They are each situations that we groan and say, “only in the movies…”
In the end, I do thoroughly enjoy this (my) first “mission.” It isn’t exactly what I expect (it doesn’t surpass my all-time favorite thriller trio) but it’s good. The cast list is nothing to sneeze at, and there is some really great humor (mainly at Benji’s expense). Oh, and if anyone is curious, Tom owns this role. It’s also grand to see Jeremy in something before he plays some of his better known roles. Initially I didn’t think I’d like to, but someday I man see myself renting the first three films. But should there be a fifth (which is more likely with each entertainment news cycle), I’m ready to see more of Ethan’s adventures.
Though I didn’t see the prior films, I don’t feel lost in this story, but I am also willing to concede that some references are likely lost. So, the real question is: Will this be something I’ll choose to “accept” a second viewing of? You bet.
Content: ‘Ghost Protocol’ is PG13 for of lots of accidents and hand-to-hand combat. Several main characters receive beatings or gunshot wounds [some blood]. There are two “epic” action scenes [a car chase and scaling a building]. One woman falls to her death off a top-story window [off-screen], a man is shot dead and his family threatened. There is a few minor sexual innuendos; Jane must seduce a target [she wears a low-cut, high-slit gown]. Elsewhere there are few profanities but it is very infrequent.
YAY! I'm so glad you liked this movie…I just loved it. I think it may be my favorite of the series — and I'd be thrilled if they bring back most or all of this core group for a fifth film. Since you liked this one it is safe to say, I think, that the first three are worth watching (especially to explain Ethan's personal life), even though some of the special effects feel a smidge dated now. :)
So am I, Ruth! =) Really? That is great to know. I was going to have a problem with seeing the prior movies but now I know the end of MI:4, I'd be cool with watching them. I think I'd like the stories/movies fine – plus, yes, it'd be interesting to know Ethan's back-story in detail.
Should a fifth be made, I'd hope this cast is kept intact also because I really liked them. (Ha! Funny you should say the effects would be dated, I was just speculating about that with the first film. I am sure they are! ;D)
I loved this movie! Of course, it wasn't particularly deep or anything, but it was super fun and entertaining. =)
I really want to see this film! The Mission Impossible movies are a little cheesy, but I love them anyway… :)
AnnaKate – actually… when one thinks about it, what action flick is!? =) LOL! Most are merely fun entertainment, and that suits me grand. ;D
Jennifer – they sure can be. This one was really fun and entertaining without falling into a lot of the "usual" traps. For that, I liked it. =)
Enjoy!
We watched the first one and oh man. Tom Cruise just annoyed the crap out of me. Like he was too… I don't know… too "I'm too cool" or something.
But I hear that Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is pretty good. I may have to convince the family to get it. :)
The first movie in this series is probably way "out-dated" in comparison to this one but yeah, I am not a Cruise fan. I don't know why, I just never have liked him much. Ah! Well.
This one was really entertaining, Rachel. I liked the acting and enjoyed some of the action sequences but it does stumble here and there (still aside from the violence, it is decently clean, so that is something). Hope you enjoy it if you talk your fam into seeing it. =D
The Mission Impossible movies are a lot of fun, definately attention grabbers. I haven't seen this one yet, but I'm looking forward to it. :-)
They sure are, Gwen! This one is quite… "flashy" but still, fun. Enjoy it when you see it. =)
We got this movie last week and have already watched it twice! Ha! It's really great and I'm glad you liked it. I would agree with most of what you said (except that Tom Cruise needed a hair-cut, but oh well that's just me) Now go watch the other 3 films! The 3rd movie really good, maybe even better than this one! (IMO)
I will definitely want to re-watch this one because I missed some of the plot twists and such. It was a lot of fun! I think I will be likely to watch the prior movies – so thank you! That is awesome to know.
Ha! Yeah, I just didn't dig the hair… it needed to be a bit shorter. ;D
So glad you stopped by, Maria – do so again soon. =)
Sounds like a fun movie! Not really my usual type of movie, but it might be neat to watch. It'd be interesting to see Jeremy Renner – I haven't seen him in anything but his three-minute cameo in Thor, but I am planning on seeing The Avengers.
It really was, Lauren. I enjoyed it a lot and will, in all likelihood see it again.
Really? You don't always like action/spy thrillers? I love 'em! Renner is great in the role, and I liked the chance to see him in something prior to watching the new "Bourne" film plus yep, The Avengers looks awesome albeit a bit silly at times. =D
Oh, I do like action/spy thrillers, Rissi, but the Mission Impossible movies always looked a little too cheesy for my taste. And I watched the Bourne movies but really couldn't get into the characters. I guess I'm kind of picky. :)
Although I did like the Ocean movies. Ocean's 12 was my favorite.
I forgot about Jeremy Renner being in the new Bourne – I'd like to see that as well. I'm hoping to like it better than the previous 3. :)
Yeah, The Avengers does look a little silly. But that's kind of what you expect.They are superheroes after all. It looks pretty good, though, and it's got some great reviews. :)
So do I – I think they are too fun for their own good, really. ;-) The "Bourne" series was/is AWESOME – it is kind of the movie I judge all spy thrillers by. Have you seen Alias? It is like, one of the best spy series ever. The jaw-dropping twists are fabulous. Red is also supremely entertaining albeit much "funnier."
Looking forward to Jeremy stepping into the Bourne-like character although I am still holding out hope that Matt Damon will come back. *fingers crossed*
"Ocean" series = way fun! I love those movies. I think "12" is my fave, too.
The Avengers still looks awesome! Plus PEOPLE Magazine gave it a great review whereas WSJ seemed to give it more of a mediocre rating. (Decent reviews as you say.) I have the hope that I'll see it on the big-screen but we'll see…
Silly does kind of go hand-in-hand with superheroes, and I say: Who cares? It is a summer blockbuster that is going to be awesome! (Hm… I use that word a lot, don't I!? LOL!)
So I finally saw this now that it's out on DVD, and wow! I loved it a lot. I didn't see MI2 or MI3, but just comparing it to MI1 (which I did see) I thought it was much, much better. The director was Brad Bird, of course, from Pixar, so that makes sense. :)
You were right, Jeremy Renner was great in it. I'm so glad you recommended it! It was a fun movie.
Yay! Glad you finally saw this one, Lauren! It's one I've just been thinking I need to watch again. From what I remember, it surprises in unexpected ways and was lots better than I gave it credit for. Nice to hear you enjoyed it. :) (Trivia is always fun, too – didn't know that about the director.)
Jeremy = fabulous in this role! He is quickly becoming one of my fave actors.