Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

You're probably thinking "Another Mission Impossible movie? Come on, why would they make another one?" or "the only impossible mission here is to make a good movie" or something along these lines. However, I can assure you that the newest mission has everything that the first one did, with better special effects and acting.

The IMF has been blamed for the bombing of the Kremlin and disavowed. Ethan Hunt and his team of three work to clear the IMF's name all while lacking many of their common resources provided by the full IMF.

Tom Cruise may have lost his mind a few years back, but his acting hasn't gone anywhere. Bouncing back from his cookie-cutter summer action/comedy Knight & Day in 2010 he shows he can still roll with the big boys when it comes to action movies. Performing one of the most thrilling sequences of Ghost Protocol Cruise was suspended from a few ropes and pulleys from Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. While climbing and running up, down, and all around the outside of the building Cruise keeps his character poised on the mission at hand. If this scene doesn't raise your pulse or get your palms sweating I don't know what is wrong with you.

The rest of Ethan's team are great, each bringing something to the table. Jane (Paula Patton) provides vengeance and sex appeal. Brandt (Jeremy Renner) is a mysterious character bringing surprisingly good skills to the table for an analyst. And Benji (Simon Pegg) provides much of the comedic relief, but like any good action movie there is a healthy balance between the comedy and action.

Tying interestingly and surprisingly well to the third movie Ghost Protocol keeps the twists and turns coming, but never really strays into the completely unbelievable. Each twist breaks the plot and propels it forward to keep the movie moving. Even the dialogue scenes keep the plot moving, engaging us and allows us to take a breather between death defying stunts and plans.

The plot and the acting are both good, but what pushes Ghost Protocol ahead are the action sequences. Ranging from heights to depths and escapes to chases among many others, every scene is thought out brilliantly. The last 45 minutes has scenes reminiscent of the original Mission Impossible and is an incredible ending to a spectacular film.

I originally thought this movie would have done the best in the summer, but the more I think about it the more I realize this was a perfect time for it to come out. While independent studios and filmmakers and producing limited released movies, audiences want a break from these and just want to see action. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol blends action, humor, and thought into one very entertaining movie. If you like action you won't be disappointed. Definitely see this in IMAX if you can. The extra money is worth it! (And you get a special treat before the movie in select theaters listed here)

I can't write about Ghost Protocol without mentioning the 6 minute 'Prologue' of The Dark Knight Rises (in theaters July 20th, 2012), especially because it is the reason I saw GP again. If you thought the opening of The Dark Knight was incredible you won't believe what Christopher Nolan has created for the last installment of his trilogy. Bane may be a little difficult to understand, but seeing everything unfold on an IMAX screen was amazing. This will easily top TDK and could top all the movies in 2012. An absolute must-see for anyone who has seen a Batman movie.

Ghost Protocol: 8/10