Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

I will say this right off the bat: I freaking love the Mission Impossible series. The first one is a classic (that I still dont really understand what happened), the second is an insane action movie that is classic John Woo, the third is a smart thriller directed by the talented J.J. Abrams, and now we reach the fourth movie, Ghost Protocol. And you want to hear something crazy? It's the best one yet AND the best action movie of the year. 

Tom Cruise running...just like he does in every movie ever. 

To describe the plot without giving too much away I'll just say that there is a bombing pinned on the IMF and Ethan's team "escapes" from being disavowed like the rest of the agency. They essentially have to carry out a mission without any backup or help from the IMF in the hopes of stopping a nuclear attack. To be quite honest, the plot is pretty generic stuff. Not much that is too special here, except for the revelation of what happens to Ethan Hunt's wife from the last movie, which is done brilliantly in my opinion. 

This is the reason that you HAVE to see this movie in IMAX

Ghost Protocol is directed by Brad Bird who has done movies such as The Iron Giant and The Incredibles. This is his first live-action movie ever and after how great it is, I highly doubt it will be his last. Throughout the movie, you notice that he has a knack for views that explain everything that is happening in the scene at any given time. From an incoming sandstorm reflecting off the glass in front of Ethan to a moving parking garage which is accidentally hiding a briefcase due to its constant motion, the movie is always dishing out memorable scenes. Wisely forgoing the current 3D craze and instead opting for IMAX scenes, Bird has made a genius decision. Unless you have been living under a rock, you most likely know by now that at one point of the movie, Ethan (Tom Cruise) must climb a portion of the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. The entire scene is in IMAX. And it is jaw-dropping. It's one of those moments at the movies that you know you will never forget. Not to mention, it's the only time I have ever gotten vertigo in a theater. It is filmed that well.

One word, three syllables: BREATHTAKING

Blake Lively and Olivia Wilde just got some new competition...

One might think that with a scene as epic as climbing the Burj Dubai that the rest of the movie fails to keep up. With Ghost Protocol? So not true. It was one of the few movies this year that I was entertained from start to end with no exceptions. This is thanks in part to the fact that the movie is always progressing. There are hardly any scenes where something important isnt happening or being discussed. Another thanks is due to the pitch-perfect team that Cruise has with him this time around. Simon Pegg's character is now a field agent and brings the consistent humor and Jeremy Renner is fun to watch as both a mixture of Cruise's mad man stunts and Pegg's humor. And then there is Paula Patton....how have I not heard of her before? I fell in love with her during the course of the movie. She is insanely gorgeous. She is insa-geous. See what I did there? Invented a word to describe how stunning she is.


Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is one of my favorite movies of the year. Tied with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II and the still-burned-in-my-mind, Drive. And if you would have told me that it would be one of my favorite movies of the year a few months ago I would have said, "Well no duh. I love Mission Impossible." But lets say you strip away the title of Mission Impossible and make it just a plain old action movie that is not tied to any franchise. I would have never been able to guess. It's just that damn entertaining. 

Side note: Ghost Protocol also suffers from obnoxiously cool cars

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, preferably in IMAX. Failure to do so will result in you being a total loser and missing one of the most entertaining movies of the year. Good luck agent.


This movie review will self destruct in 5 seconds. 
.
..
...
....
.....
Just kidding. Keep scrolling down.


Pros:

• The direction and production values of the movie. Some of the best cinematography of the year. 
• Strong acting on all fronts. Granted it's an action movie, but regardless, Cruise is still one of the best around and Pegg and Renner provide some light-hearted moments
• Paula Patton. You are on my radar. Big time.
• Cool cars
• The gadgets are so much fun. If there was an award for Best Spy Gadgets Ever Used in a Movie, Ghost Protocol would take the cake by a mile
• The sound editing. Normally I wouldnt make a comment on it, but each punch sounds bone-breaking and explosions are loud...as they should be
• Innovative, edge-of-your-seat action. What other movie have you seen a car chase in a sandstorm?
• The Burj Dubai climbing scene is one of the most, if not the most, exciting scenes filmed in 2011
• Tom Cruise doing his own stunts at 50-something years old. I have to give him props for that one
• Choosing to forgo 3D but use IMAX is much appreciated
• I loved the resolution with Ethan's wife. I was really concerned why she wasnt in the film, but it was handled realistically
• "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!" such a hilarious and priceless line. You will understand once you see it

Cons:

• Generic plot. Russians, nuclear weapons, possible World War III...it's been done to death
• Slightly longer than it needs to be. The final fight scene could have been cut down a bit

Rath's Review Score: 10/10 -- Instant Classic

And now I present you with a special treat: a trailer for The Dark Knight Rises. Its kind of poor quality, but you can still see and understand everything. I was going to do a full analysis of it, but there really isn't much to be said except for that Nolan has done it again. 


"When Gotham is in ashes, you have my permission to die."


Enjoy folks:

If you need to change your underwear...you may now do so.