Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol

Synopsis: Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government, while the president initiates the Ghost Protocol. Forced to go "off the grid" -- left without resources or backup -- Hunt must somehow clear the agency's name and prevent another attack. Complicating matters even more, Ethan must undertake the impossible mission with a group of fellow IMF fugitives whose actual motives are suspect.

Movie Review:

"Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol" is directed by Brad Bird and is the fourth film in the Mission Impossible franchise, and this is a rare franchise that keeps getting better with every film they put out. This movie is action packed, funny and just enjoyable to watch. Director Brad Bird brings a comedic but silly tone throughout the movie which feels fresh and new. When the IMF is blamed for an attack on the Kremlin and when the whole IMF is dissolved, Ethan Hunt and only three members of the IMF team is left and they need to clear the agency's name before it is too late. Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt for the fourth time and is perfect as this character. You can tell he loves this franchise since he risks his life doing crazy stunts that are realistic and intense, which in my opinion are some of the best action scenes I've seen. Jeremy Renner makes his franchise debut as Chief analyst William Brent who has a secret past. He is amazing in this movie as he has a physical role as well and can hold his own. Simon Pegg is back as Benji Dunn who made his first appearance in "Mission Impossible III". Now a field agent, he steals the show with his silly, comedic side that has the most laughs in this movie. New comer to the series is Agent Carter played by Paula Paton who I found to be a little stiff in the role, but she is great in her action scenes. I found her to be a strong female character which I admired. There is a side sub-plot that involves female assassin Sabine Monroe played by the beautiful Lea Seydou. I felt like it never should've been in the movie — unnecessary to have several villains. The best thing about this movie has to be the jaw dropping action scenes that never disappoints the audience. Tom Cruise climbing the tallest building in the world is the best sequence in the whole film; it is adrenaline pumping action that never stops until the end credits. After that scene takes place, Ethan Hunt and the team go to India to stop the main villain and this is when the film kind of stopped for me because it became too predictable. Michael Nyquist plays the villain, Kurt Hendricks whose character is boring and doesn't have a back story. He basically appears when the plot needs him. Unfortunately, the story is not that compelling and doesn't really matter, the film is just meant to entertain. "Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol" is my second favorite Mission Impossible film with its epic set pieces and the talented Tom Cruise. I am giving "Mission Impossible" a 4 out of 5 stars.

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Anil Kapoor, Samuli Edelmann, Josh Holloway, Léa Seydoux, and Tom Wilkanson

Runtime: 132 minutes