Before my review begins, it should be noted that this film technically opens today only in certain IMAX theaters across the country. Certain portions of the film were actually shot in IMAX, so this isn't one of those fake IMAX situations. In those theaters before the film, audience members will be treated to the first few minutes of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. The official, non-IMAX release of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-GHOST PROTOCOL is next Wednesday, Dec. 21. Got it? Good.
By maintaining a fairly streamlined story, some incredible stunts and effects sequences, and having the most colorful and interesting team of any of the previous MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE films, GHOST PROTOCOL (the franchise's fourth installment) is at least as strong as the much-revered first M:I film, and I think better. Continuing the tradition of having a different director for each chapter of this Tom Cruise-starring vehicle, GHOST PROTOCOL has enlisted the exceedingly capable Brad Bird (THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, THE IRON GIANT) to direct his first live-action movie. Bird has this crazy reputation of caring about fleshing out the characters he's put in charge of, and it's nice to see an emphasis placed on developing the team members as people and not just action props.
The story involves a plot to discredit the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) by framing its members for bombing the Kremlin. The set up is devised by a master villain (the original GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO's Michael Nyqvist) who believes that a nuclear war is the only way to set the world right, and sets about to make sure that the world's superpowers are firing warheads at each other as soon as possible. Naturally Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is unofficially charged by the State Department to clear the IMF's name, even though the government must officially disown it until that is done.
The rather makeshift team consists of returning cast member Simon Pegg as the technical wizard Benji, having been promoted to field agent from his position as glorified IT guy in the last film. Also on board is Paula Patton (best known for playing the teacher in PRECIOUS) as Jane, and Jeremy Renner's Brandt, who was working as an analyst with the government before being grabbed by Hunt & Co. in this story, although his formidable self-defense skills may indicate that he is a bit more than he leads on.
Director Bird does a spectacular job staging some of the most elaborate action sequences I've seen all year, and he does so in a way that they actually make sense, especially the extended centerpiece set in and outside the the tallest building in the world, which Ethan must partially scale to gain access to its security mainframe. Words cannot describe the stomach turning that will occur as your watch Cruise crawl up the side of this building in the IMAX format (no 3D, mind you; it's not necessary). The scene is almost a metaphor for the rest of the film, which is to say that it is concentrated suspense that dazzles both the eyes and the mind. But even in just some nice establishing shots of a new picturesque city Hunt and Co. are about to do damage in, Bird opens up the frame to IMAX size and gives us a gorgeous view. GHOST PROTOCOL feels clear-headed and sensical, even at its most outrageous.
But I also like the weight that is given each characters, especially to Renner's Brandt, who has a secret he's keeping that is sitting heavily upon his shoulders, and the more the team accepts him, the guiltier he feels. Renner is a great actor that people seem to keep wanting to stick in action films (he'll play Hawkeye in THE AVENGERS and is taking over the BOURNE franchise from Matt Damon, although not as Jason Bourne apparently. But in roles like those in NORTH COUNTRY, THE TOWN, and most notably THE HURT LOCKER, Renner has shown he's that rare combination of action ready and willing to dig deeper to find a character's beating heart. It sounds easy, but if it were, more actors would be doing it.
Not to take anything away from Pegg or Patton, both of whom add just the right levels of comic relief and eye candy (and that's just Pegg) to make sure GHOST PROTOCOL doesn't get weighed down by its own self-importance. Actually, Patton also has somewhat selfish reason for wanting to be a part of this particular, off-the-books mission, and she struggles to keep her personal interest in getting to the bad guys separate from the team's objectives. Plus, she looks good in a slinky evening gown. In his familiar but still likable brand of self-deprecating humor, Pegg's Benji wants to be accepted as something more than just a guy behind the computer.
Above and beyond anything, GHOST PROTOCOL is a barrels of fun. And as high-profile as the Mumbai sequence is, there's a fantastic climactic showdown between Ethan and Nyqvist in a parking garage that I'm pretty sure hasn't been shown in a commercial or trailer yet. Saving a little something special for those who actually buy tickets is a great idea. I haven't said much about Cruise in the film, and that's because he has nothing to prove here.
Even in the worst of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE films (that would be the second one), he knows this Ethan Hunt and throws everything he has into playing him. I always bought Cruise in this role, and while it's not my favorite of his many and varied characters, it's the one that fits him most comfortably. Throw in a could of well-placed cameos (of both new and familiar faces), and you've got yourself one hell of a great action movie to cap the year off with. Again, seeing this in IMAX is kind of essential. If you can make that happen, do so. It's worth the up-charge, unlike most 3D movies.
