"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" is Tom Cruise’s 4th time as Ethan Hunt, the IMF’s (Impossible Mission Force’s) best man.
This time, Hunt is basically on his own as the IMF has shut down after the Secretary disavowed the team for bombing the Kremlin, an act Hunt is claiming he is not responsible for.
Being disavowed is a major problem.
Anyway the team must not only prove their innocence, but they need to convince the Russians America is still the good guys.
"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" is more like the old TV series than the previous films. The plot relies mostly on cunning and brains, rather than cool gizmos. And brains and cunning are needed when those cool gizmos begin to fail the mission, and the agents are left to think on their feet.
Sharing the screen with Tom Cruise is Simon Pegg who’s character Benji, (who was introduced in Mission Impossible 2) has been given a promotion to field agent. Pegg supplies most of the film’s lighter moments but even the comedy in the film adds to the plot’s tension.
Also in the film are Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner. Patton and Renner seem to be being groomed to take over the franchise if the film series continues.
Director Brad Bird (best known for directing the animated features Wall-E and The Incredibles) really understands why the original TV show was so popular and successfully combines action with intrigue.
Overall "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" is a good "popcorn muncher" and deserves a B. It’s rated PG-13.
