Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg
‘A Marvellous Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films that beg to be seen like Simon Pegg. Following his rise to recognition in the 2000’s, Pegg has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s corrupt police-officers, spies facing danger or strong space scavengers, Pegg has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Pegg’s strength as an actor is his sharp sense of humour. He’s one of those actors that has always had rare aptitude for comedy. Pegg has poured both his heart and soul into every comedy that he has made seeking to accomplish a goal. A British Icon with a sharp sense of humour, Pegg has become a beloved actor that has managed to accomplish great feats making movies which audiences cherish. Through his ability to craft comedic characters which are compelling, the actor has built a legacy there lasting. Shining a bright light in darkness, Pegg has become one of the most admired comedians in the modern entertainment business. Throughout a lasting career, Pegg has starred in several memorable movies which are definitely without any doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Pegg and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, Brad Bird’s movie has become a celebrated action classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Mission Impossible movies ever made. At the centre of if all is an incredible performance by Simon Pegg, who embodies a technician which embarks on an impossible mission. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” one of the best action movies ever made is universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the franchise, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing mission accomplished, there are many strong reasons why “Ghost Protocol” is worth seeing.
Following the events of “Mission: Impossible 3”, “Ghost Protocol” finds Ethan Hunt tasked with his most impossible mission. Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, a hunted agent facing a terrifying situation. Following a terrifying terrorist attack that destroys the Kremlin, Ethan and his team are disavowed by the government. Left without ant support from government, Ethan becomes a hunted agent. Accompanied by companion Benji (Simon Pegg), Ethan embarks upon a dangerous journey to prevent catastrophe in the Middle East. As he discovers frightening secrets about the IMF, Ethan starts to wonder whether he can become a successful agent. Facing a dilemma, Ethan starts to wonder if it’s possible for him to accomplish missions that are impossible in Russia. Embarking upon his most impossible mission, Ethan questions if it’s possible to pull off a tough job which requires dedication.
Brad Bird is a newcomer to the franchise about impossible missions. Before he made “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”, Bird had never directed a mission impossible movie before in his career. Bird was well-known for producing cartoon films. With “Ghost Protocol”, however, the director crafted his first Mission Impossible action blockbuster. It was Bird’s first attempt to honour a franchise about hunted spies that face disaster but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Bird captures a hunted agent embarking upon a journey to find his identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as breathtaking as missions Ethan seeks to organize. Bird deftly uses montages capturing a hunted agent that seeks to accomplish impossible missions. For instance, montages elevate the Kremlin bomb scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ethan and his team become the victim of a terrifying terrorist bombing at the Kremlin. One admires stunning montages capturing tense hardships hunted agents are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in action movies. As John McTiernan’s “Die Hard” suggested, montages elevate classic action movies about terrorism. Nevertheless, it worked tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Bird captures hunted agents embarking on missions that are frightening.
Another strong aspect of “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” is production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Bird has always had an aptitude for staging action in his films through stuntwork, and “Ghost Protocol” showcased his strength as a filmmaker. Stuntwork has always been a highlight of the Mission Impossible” franchise, and “Ghost Protocol” is no exception. Bird uses stunning Middle East locations to craft action sequences which are captivating. Whether it’s the Burj Khalifa or sandstorms of Abu Dabhi, Bird uses stunning locations which honour a misunderstood country. For instance, the real-life locations elevate the Burj Khalifa scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ethan and his team attempt to defeat villains in a luxurious building. One appreciates real-life locations in the Middle East capturing the beauty of the misunderstood country. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Michael Giacchino’s music gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden impoverished families often bear. Through stunning production-design, Bird captives the lives of poverty girls that face face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Ghost Protocol” is a cosmic classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively uses silence to capture the lives of hunted spies facing a dilemma. For instance, silence elevates the sandstorm scene. During this unifertabke scene, Ethan become a victim of a sandstorm in Abu Dhabi causing tensions. One appreciates silence capturing tensions that hunted agents are facing. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” divested, silence suits films about religion. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will be Blood” suggested silences are suited religious epics. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through engrossing storytelling, Bird captures the tensions faced by agents.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best career performances as Ethan Hunt. Cruise first gained appreciation for soaring aviators in action movies. With “Ghost Protocol”, however he took on his complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a hunted agent on an impossible mission, be he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever see him before: intense, charismatic and emotional his his finest role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and heroism of a hunted agent embarking on an impossible mission. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in the movie industry.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Tom Cruise, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Simon Pegg is phenomenal, bringing hilarious comic relief to the movie as a technician determined to achieve an impossible mission. Jeremey Renner is remarkable as a member of the CIA facing challenges with a price to pay. Finally, Paul Patton merits appreciation. As a woman in a tense situation, she brings emotions to the movie.
Finally, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” offers an unforgettable mission which will earn everyone’s appreciation. Unlike most movies in the famous franchise, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, desperation and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the MI franchise to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Ghost Protocol” is one of those rare films in the franchise everyone would adore.
Fans of Simon Pegg would definitely appreciate “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating action classic, it honoured an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking action movie about hunted agents seeking to escape terrifying persecution embarking on an impossible mission in a Middle Eastern nation, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a legendary reputation earning a huge fan following for his abilities to create compelling characters in memorable movies which definitely without a doubt deserve appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 