Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – A Paramount Pictures’ Release

http://www.missionimpossible.com/

DVD Release Date: April 17th, 2012

Rated 14A for violence

Running time: 132 minutes

Brad Bird (dir.)

Josh Appelbaum (writer)

André Nemec (writer)

Based on the television series created by Bruce Geller

Michael Giacchino (music)

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt

Paula Patton as Jane Carter

Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn

Jeremy Renner as William Brandt

Our reviews below:

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol DVD Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

As Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol opens, computer genius Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and skilled fighter Jane Carter (Paula Patton) are working with the Impossible Mission Force to pull off an elaborate break from a Russian prison to free special agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise).  But when they are blamed for bombing the Kremlin, the IMF invokes Ghost Protocol and they have to team up with mysterious analyst William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and go rogue in order to stop the start of a nuclear war.

Directed by animation mastermind Brad Bird who gave us such great films as The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille, this a classic example of Hollywood escapism done right.  With visual flair and exhilarating action sequences, including a stunning scene where Tom Cruise has to climb up the side of the tallest building in the world, Ghost Protocol is pure fun of the highest order and an excellent action movie that ranks as the best of the Mission: Impossible series.

The Blu-ray includes deleted scenes and an alternate opening as well as numerous featurettes on what went into staging the awesome action sequences.  The Future Shop exclusive includes an extra disc of bonus material.

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol DVD Review By Erin V.  

**** (out of 4)

After a great 9-minute prison break sequence, a fuse is lit and we follow it through the opening credits.  And right from this start, we know we are going to be in for a great film.  In the first act of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the Kremlin is bombed and the entire IMF team is blamed and disavowed.  But Ethan Hunt’s team – who were there when it happened – have a lead on the true culprit, who known only to them stole a set of nuclear launch codes.  Now fugitives themselves, they must find a way to stop the man known as ‘Cobalt’ before he insites WWIII.

Marking director Brad Bird’s (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille) first foray into live-action, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is both a fitting fourth film to add to the Mission: Impossible franchise, as well as fourth film for him.

But while this is a pure action movie, M:I-GP never feels bombastic or stupid.  Sure, there are implausibilities, as with anything, but they are executed in a way that we don’t care because the ride is so much fun.  Again, while it is not a character-driven film, Bird does make sure to slow down between thrilling scenes to reveal bits of the characters’ past, a technique which allows us to not get bored with the monotony of one action scene followed directly by another.  You might also want to check out M:I:III (directed by J.J. Abrams) after seeing this film if you haven’t already, as it ties in to a few elements here, although Ghost Protocol stands well on its own as well.

There are many great set-pieces here – the Kremlin, the now famous Burj Kalifa scene, as well as a sandstorm chase, and the whole end sequence that takes us on a wild ride.  Each of these could easily have been ruined by bad editing or unclear cinematography, but instead are filmed steadily and uncluttered, allowing us to focus on what is happening, rather than leaving us confused.  The action here (and there is of course a lot of it) involves many chases, and a ton of hand-to-hand combat, but it is pretty PG/PG-13, so 11-12+ could watch it.  Younger though, probably should stay away.

The acting is all quite good, with the actors comprising the main team (Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton), maintaining a good chemistry throughout, while providing many of the humorous touches in the story.  Cruise (reprising as Ethan Hunt) fits his role perfectly, with a slightly crazy drive and energy moving his character quickly through the mission.  The music by Michael Giacchino is also a lot of fun, with lots of his trademark ostinato and themes criss-crossing over each other.

Overall, while it was spectacular in theatres, it still holds up on DVD thanks to the competent filmmaking which makes it more than just an action spectacle.  I was more than happy to revisit this one despite knowing exactly what was coming next.  I had a ton of fun with it both times I saw it.

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol DVD Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

Based on the classic television series, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol tells yet another fun action tale of spy adventure.  Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are on a mission to stop a nuclear terrorist from destroying the world.  The mission includes many cool moments, including invisibility shields, magnetic suits and a harrowing climb outside the Burj Kalifa.

Everything in this film works brilliantly.  Much of this can be attributed to director Brad Bird and composer Michael Giacchino’s score, both Pixar veterans who have worked on films such as The Incredibles.  Ghost Protocol even has a Pixarian look and feel to it, with stunning visuals, complex action sequences and two A113 references, which are in every Pixar film to date.  This is a fun movie that doesn’t get old.

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol boasts a strong cast, some amazing action sequences, cool gadgets, an excellent Michael Giacchino score and a nice comedic touch throughout.  Director Brad Bird who brought audiences Pixar’s The Incredibles knows how to create the right mix of action and fun.

Tom Cruise is back playing Agent Ethan Hunt along with Simon Pegg as fellow agent, Benji Dunn.  The pair find themselves in an international incident when an explosive device is detonated at the Kremlin while they are there.  Russia assumes this is a terrorist attack and the Mission: Impossible team must go into hiding – Ghost Protocol – in order to uncover the truth.

One of my favourite scenes in the movie involves an invisibility screen set up in the Kremlin.  There are many good uses of spy gear in this film.  The other highlight is the whole sequence where Tom Cruise is climbing the outside of Dubai’s tallest building.  The visual effects in this scene are both dizzying and stunning.  While some might argue that the physics of many of the action scenes just isn’t possible, it’s important to remember that this is Mission: Impossible and therefore anything is possible.  It’s all in good, action-packed fun.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is worth owning on Blu-ray/DVD as it stands up well to repeat viewings.  This is one of my favourite movies from 2011.

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Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol is the fourth and arguably the best film based on the 1960s series starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Though over two hours long, it never drags as we are taken from Eastern Europe to Dubai and Mumbai with a new team (Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton) working rogue to stop a mad scientist (Michael Nyqvist) from starting a nuclear war.

Having now seen the film twice, I can admit the suspense was just as great the second time, especially in the already famous sequence in which Cruise (doing his own stunts) is climbing the Burj Dubai. The plot was as plausible and in hindsight free of holes as can be expected for an MI caper. Even the use of magnets, subject to self-mocking within the clever script, was not quite as ridiculous here as in some other films. In his first live-action film, director Brad Bird has triumphed with a fine cast, excellent production, a brilliant score from Michael Giacchino, and even a nod to his home studio with the inevitable A113 references and a nuclear missile targeted at Emeryville CA where Pixar is located.

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Consensus: With sharp direction from animation mastermind Brad Bird, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is a spectacularly produced movie that boasts exhilarating action sequences and holds up well to repeat viewings.  ***1/2 (Out of 4)