RECAP: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Tom Cruise is officially back!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I know most of you would agree that he hasn't really been superstar-ing it the past few years. If you were to ask me what his memorable movies were in the last two years or so, there is NOTHING that comes to mind. The only time I paid attention to him was when he cameo-ed in Tropic Thunder as the foul-mouthed Les Grossman. He was hilarious next to Robert Downey, Jr.

Fast forward to 2011 and we have him again as Ethan Hunt in the 4th installment of Mission: Impossible. (Gosh, I just felt old typing that. It's been, what, 15 years since the first one?!?).

Anyway, Ghost Protocol is one hell of a movie(!) and I declare it to be largely due to Brad Bird's direction. I'm familiar with his work mainly because of The Incredibles which is one of my all time favorite animations (he also directed Ratatouille!). Here's a guy whose credentials were, uhhmm, rather limited, but in his first foray to live action, he definitely exceeded expectations.

The plot is nothing new but the action sequences were solid. thrilling. awesome. Like all others, I found the Burj Khalifa scene to be the high point of the movie. There was tension perfectly balanced by suspense and humour. Equally fantastic was the sandstorm chase scene after. I loved the drama of  the chase amidst the invisibility. To say that it was highly-charged would be an understatement. Brad was successful in making us viewers feel like we're all part of the chase. I, literally, felt like I was also running with Tom feeling my way through the sandstorm. It's the kind of scene where you feel like slow-clapping right after. It was a great cinematic moment.

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Notable also was the chemistry of the three characters portrayed by new-to-the-franchise Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg. Simon was hilarious in all his scenes. Paula was gorgeous (OMG!) and Jeremy was a solid contrast to Tom's character. Michael Nyqvist aka THE original Michael Blomkvist from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish movie) was convincing as villain (I have a feeling this is just the first of the many villain roles he'll get).

Ghost Protocol is entertainment at its best and you really couldn't ask for anything more. You walk into the theater expecting an action movie and you walk out getting that, maybe even more.

Fist pump for Brad Bird!