Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

You go Awww looking at an ageing Tom Cruise still pull out the punches in the incredible stunt sequences in MI4 Ghost Protocol. You go Ewww looking... read more

You go Awww looking at an ageing Tom Cruise still pull out the punches in the incredible stunt sequences in MI4 Ghost Protocol. You go Ewww looking at Anil Kapoor in a blink and miss part in the film's lacklusture second half, and that about sums up the movie for you.

Ghost Protocol has the IMF disavowed and at stake is a nuclear war between Russia and America due to a maniacal rogue scientist. The film begins on a promising note, with stupendous action sequences throughout the first half. The sequence on the high rise in Dubai is especially riveting and edge of the seat, so is the piece in pseudo Mumbai where most of the writing was in Kannada (and we were going gaga over a Hindi break through here).

There is much going on in the film in term of action and movement, the story is plausible and flawed, yet doesnt fall apart and earnest performances by the entire cast keep the tempo going.

Does this mean another edition of the series is welcome? I personally think no is the answer. Tom is visibly growing old, and it shows in the approach to the role as well. The film works this one time simply due to nostalgia and that urge to relive the good ol days of unabashed impossible mission by Ethan. am not sure another escapade by the aging star would cut much ice with the audiences.

For now though, MI4 is a thriller of a ride. Watch it, enjoy the thrill, just don't ask for more of it.view less

Agent Ethan Hunt aka Tom Cruise returns to save the world in his latest installment of the Mission Impossible series, MI: Ghost Protocol, which is ... read more

Agent Ethan Hunt aka Tom Cruise returns to save the world in his latest installment of the Mission Impossible series, MI: Ghost Protocol, which is sure going to be remembered as one of Toms best action flicks. For starters, this film is directed by two time academy award winning (Ratatouille and The Incredibles) director Brad Bird, whos only made animated films in the past. How did he manage to pull this off, a complete first-time live action feature film? Well, read on to find out how.

The world is on the brink of a nuclear war attack and there is only one man who could save it: Ethan Hunt. Freed from prison by his new team members, Jane (Paula Patton) and Benji (Simon Pegg), Ethan goes on to infiltrate Kremlin and retrieve nuclear launch device before madman Kurt Hendricks could place his hands on them. However, things turn awry and Hendricks walks away with the launch device, while Ethan is left with no other option than follow him. Through several picturesque locations such as Dubai and our very own Mumbai, Ethan and his comrades pursue Kurt to stop him from triggering off the nuclear device.

There comes a point in every stars career when he/she should stop and ponder what next. I understand its a tough decision to take but it is critical. Tom isnt cooler anymore, definitely not at 49. He has definitely forgotten the essence of cinema and seems to have started believing in entertainment, which he provides to the fullest. MI 4 proves that Tom is also one among those actors who believe in order to entertain audience, either show them sex or action. Because people come to theatre only for three reasons: entertainment, entertainment and entertainment.

The film is lost in action from start to finish and therefore entertains one all. Brad Bird manages to keep the thrill factor alive throughout. Thanks to his theory of bringing in anything-is-possible theory that he uses to orchestrate most of the stunts in the film. Even when you wonder over the stunts, asking how is it humanely possible for someone to do all that, youre instantaneously confronted with Brads theory.

The writing department didnt have a super plot. It was simple; there is mission that is considered impossible to pull off and therefore let Ethan loose, to go on a wild melodramatic action charade to eventually save one all. How difficult could it be? Except for the fact that Tom is not driving the story, its Brad. If youre a diehard fan of Tom then you would notice a fast catching up trend; Tom is stuck with action films and refuses to deviate from the path, as he believes in entertaining his fans.

Hats off to the stunt team from which ever part of the world theyve been brought to work in this film. I admire Tom for a simple reason that he knows what his fans want; unlimited action and entertainment and he manages to give them in the best suitable way possible. He compromises script over action by choosing the best action team in the world and thankfully thats exactly what saves the film.

For Indian fans, MI 4 was considered special, as theyve been told that a good percentage of the film is shot in Bombay. However, besides the brief scene at an Indian hotel; rest of the supposedly Indian part of the film was believed to be shot in some Indian part of America. Tragic! If you still think you have a reason to smile because the film stars our own Anil Kapoor then let me till youd be disappointed, as he only plays a horny rich Indian millionaire.
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Ethan, where are you? Come back here says Paula Patton and the next thing you see is a close up shot of Tom Cruise looking at a hose pipe, cut to h... read more

Ethan, where are you? Come back here says Paula Patton and the next thing you see is a close up shot of Tom Cruise looking at a hose pipe, cut to he jumping out of Burj Khalifa. That is one of the best moments Ive had at the movies this year and just for that sequence this film comes highly recommended.

Whats it about? Agent Hunt and his team are back with a mission to save the world. This time they have to stop a possible nuclear war between USA & USSR.

Does it work for me? Yes.

Why? Like I mentioned in the beginning just the Burj Khalifa sequence is worth the money and since It was shot in Imax and I saw it in an Imax theatre the viewing pleasure was multiplied X times but rest assured even if you see it on a big screen, it will be worth it. Ok, now that we are done with the centerpiece action sequence of the film lets talk about the rest of it. The screenplay keeps you engaged throughout but is not as mind bending as the first one. Here the focus is on creating action set pieces and every one of them serves the purpose of providing popcorn entertainment. Age shows up on Tom Cruise only when he is bare bodied but otherwise he is as fit and charming as before. Simon Pegg who is the only one in the team who featured in MI3 earlier provides the comic relief. The other team members Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton also provide adequate support. Just that the hotness quotient is missing. The film suffers by not having a strong villain. Michael Nyqvists character is the weakest link and at times you tend to forget that he is the villain. He comes across as one of the henchmen of the villain. Anil Lakhan Kapoor gets a one sequences role which might be good for him but for us its a moment of Wtf! Naseeruddin Shah in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a much respected role. Anil Kapoor never in his wildest dreams must have thought that he will star in a Hollywood Movie so its fine to choose a film like this but he should have waited for a better role. Brad Bird makes a smooth transition from Animation to live action. Lets see what he chooses to do next.

Final few words: A rush of adrenaline best enjoyed on the big screen.

Rating: ***

Ticket Meter: Worth a visit to the theatre.
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Agent Ethan Hunt is back & this time the film is bigger than before. With an exhilarating trailer and the excitement of the Mission Impossible ... read more

Agent Ethan Hunt is back & this time the film is bigger than before. With an exhilarating trailer and the excitement of the Mission Impossible franchise, does this one warrant a watch this weekend?
ABSOLUTELY, this game of tactical espionage is a MUST WATCH.preferably at the IMAX screens.

The film begins with agents Jane (Patton) and Benji (Simon Pegg) helping Ethan(Tom C) escape from prison so that he can join them on their next operation. All hell breaks loose as the IMF is shut down due to its implication in the bombing of Kremlin. USA is blamed as tension builds up between the 2 countries, all this being the mastermind of Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist) who wants to deploy nuclear missiles and start a war of sorts.
Does Ethan manage to avert the disaster? Your guess is as good as mine.

The film has some riveting action sequences, right from the opening sequence of the prison break to the breathtaking scene at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. From hand-to-hand combat, to car chases to vintage espionage action, the movie thrills and is a visual treat.

At 2hr15min, its swift, taut and exciting to say the least. Never does the movie let up or get you bored. The film starts with a high and somewhere through three quarters slows down a bit, only to pick up at the end again.

Tom Cruise, at 49, is stellar as he reprises the lead role. Though he looks his age, he pulls of the action shots with full conviction and is a delight on screen. Benji as the goofy Simon is hilarious and makes for some great laughs. Anil Kapoor is almost a Shakti Kapooresqe role is too funny but still worthy of a whistle & a hoot simply for being there.

Director Brad Bird who has previously done animated films like Ratatouille and the Incredibles does a fine job of entertaining the audiences with a Bond style fun film. While it might have many loop holes, it doesnt disappoint in terms of bang for the buck.

To sum it up, this is a film that I strongly recommend that all should watch, and if you can catch it at the IMAX screen, do so.
Theres action, thrills, sexy women, a perfect popcorn flick, Tom Cruise & Yes..Anil Kapoor !!!!
Its impossible to not enjoy this ride.
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In a Moscow prison, Agent Ethan Hunt seems to be a misfit. As clever as the undisguised yet probable cover-up, Hunts loitering around for the strik... read more

In a Moscow prison, Agent Ethan Hunt seems to be a misfit. As clever as the undisguised yet probable cover-up, Hunts loitering around for the strike, and in the intermediate time leading to the opening credits that emblaze the screen, an impeccably crafted hand-combat scene sets the tone straight for the picture unfolding.

Laws of gravity and physics defied, director Brad Bird succeeds in the ultimate of the movie-telling experience that to make sure our suspension of disbelief is stunned for longer than he requires it to be. Hell, you are too nail-bitingly dizzied with the spectacle of a cable-less Cruise gliding Burj to nitpick why the strand of his hair doesnt reflect the towering height, or worse flounder with Newton principles.

The deal here is that theres no deal. After the Kremlin mission to get hold of access-codes relating to nuclear weaponry goes wrong, triggering an abort, Hunt has invited disaster slightly more than he anticipated. Because the same building is later bombed by sinister Kurt Hendrix, implying to the Russians that it is the American scheme, and why not, as it has just occurred after the Cuban Missile crisis. So the Impossible troop is abruptly dismantled by a hapless IMF, which brings us to the account of Ghost Protocol. Hunt must now operate on his own, without the reliance on safe houses and sponsored machinery (they still have tons of it), as much to avert a globe-threatening nuclear crisis as to get a clean-chit for him, and the organization he stands for.

Hunt teams up with an unusually refreshingly trio the glamorously kick-ass Paula Patton, Simon Pegg relieving it with his comedic one-liners (and unfulfilled aspiration to go on a masqueraded mission) and Jeremy Renner, debuting as the inhibited and thoughtful, Brand an analyst who, it is later revealed, had a history with Hunt.

It might be the ultimate fancy of the three screenwriters behind this fourth film, that Ghost Protocol be counted as a plot-driven thriller, but the writing of the central plot per se, is as good as the one that warrants to roll out a Titanic sequel by Paramount. Unquestionably, what essentially drives the plot, and it does so, breath-taxingly, is not just the action but enviably admirable knick-knacks of the tech variety.

Such detailed, and fabulously well-executed are the overwhelming action sequences, Michael Bay may as well as enroll-in for a crash course in chaotic-neatness. The film not only serves the appetite of a devouring action devotee, by obliging with just too-many fangasms, but it also re-confirms the cinematic fundamental of pure escapism.

It is almost like watching a fantasy film.Only that Hogwarts is a sprawling over 2500 ft tall Burj Khalifa.

Clearly aware of the wobbly story thatd open a Pandora box of flaws even if analyzed from a safe distance; the writers keep the proceedings fast-paced with terrific stunts sequentially set, keeping up the grip.

The fight sequences arent cluttered with raining bullets, but often is hand-to-hand combat, lending the film an enormous amount of believability.

The narrative flounders only when a number of totally unnecessary sub-plots are introduced, which seem rather forcefully integrated. Like Anil Kapoors Brij Nath a multi-billionaire Indian Casanova, who is too easily seduced to spit out satellite codes immensely crucial. Later he is dumped back in his ethnically fashioned suite, and what happens to him after the 2-minute cameo, nobody is interested in telling. So, it was probably a diversity thing after all.

Other weakness is the conversational climax of the film, which after the brutally exhausting mission, seems too trivial and laid-back. Comic-relief in due-course is acceptable, and genuinely funny. But after the success, its a little too arrogant, irrelevant and somewhat self-depreciating.

As for the performances, the film is finely cast. Tom Cruise, having lived Ethan Hunt for considerable time, is easy. So easy, he seems mechanical. Paula Patton is sexier when she says her carefully-worded lines, preceded by a quick line of thought. Simon Pegg as the techie Bengie, is a mature sidekick now, assuring enough laughs. Jeremy Renners Brand is not somebody instantly likeable, but able performer that he is, itd be interesting to see how his part is further developed.

Ultimately, Tom Cruise's new film is a blazingly spectacular, memorably terrific, action-thriller. MI4: Ghost Protocol not only makes our imagination reach vertiginous heights by dangerously dangling Cruise over the Burj Khalifa it also tells us what director Brad Bird of the fantastical The Incredibles and Ratatouille can do, with a real film.
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