It is absolutely no secret that Tom Cruise has had a very public fall from grace in recent years, with his erratic behavior alienating moviegoers and overshadowing his past work…last summer’s sub-par performance of Knight & Day is all the evidence you need for that fact. Still, if there is one franchise that many revere and still associate with a positive impression of Tom Cruise, it is the Mission: Impossible series, which has wowed action junkies since agent Ethan Hunt was first introduced to the big screen in 1996. With five years between Mission: Impossible 3 and this newest sequel, I was a little skeptical when I first saw the announcement for Ghost Protocol, but a number of factors worked in favor of the film’s potential quality. Rising star Jeremy Renner could use Ghost Protocol to convince audience he will be able to hold his own against superheroes in next summer’s The Avengers, while funnyman Simon Pegg guaranteed some laughs, but I was most excited to see director Brad Bird tackle his first live-action film. As this was perhaps the last hope for Tom Cruise to convince the public that he still belongs at the top of the A-list, I had some pretty high hopes for Ghost Protocol.
Wow…not only is Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol the best entry in the Mission: Impossible series by a mile, it is easily one of the purest, gutsy, and most exciting action films in years. I don’t care how crazy you think Tom Cruise is in reality, he proves beyond any criticism that he is still an engaging and thoroughly likable action star, and watching him return to a familiar character is pure entertainment. The stunts of Ghost Protocol are also awe-inspiring, showcasing downright amazing and imaginative technology that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and question how in the hell they were able to film those scenes. This action film is also surprisingly funny, blending in considerable humor that keeps the storyline from taking itself too seriously without venturing into the comedy or spoof genres. Cool, sexy, energetic, and far superior to its predecessors, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is a perfect action film that cannot be missed, especially in IMAX.
Overall Recommendation: Very High
