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Paramount Pictures
Tom Cruise is on a "Mission."
The last James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace," came out in 2008. But while fans of action-packed spy thrillers wait for 007 to return in 2012's "Skyfall," they can fill the gap nicely with "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol."
Finally, the "Mission: Impossible" series is back on track, and this latest installment is packed with exotic scenery, fancy cars, crazy gadgets, beautiful women and handsome men. And except for an overlong prison-escape sequence at the very start, once the fuse starts burning on this one, it never slows down.
Tom Cruise is back as spy Ethan Hunt, and when the Kremlin blows up, he and his team are disavowed by their organization and must go rogue, becoming the "ghosts' of the title. Which has no real effect on anything, because they still have devices that would make Bond's Q drool -- iPhones that can pull a suspect's face out of a crowd, magnetic vests that let the wearer float, and an amazing pair of gloves that allow Cruise to climb the outside of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Those stomach-churning skyscraper scenes live up to their billing, and even sitting safely in a comfortable theater seat it's hard to watch Cruise swooping around at 2,700 feet without feeling queasy. But there's not a ton of time for Spider-Man antics, as there are plenty more action scenes and exotic locales to jump around in, including an underwater shootout and a fight in a car park where the levels, and the parked cars, slide around just to make things more difficult. The film was partially shot with IMAX cameras, and numerous scenes take full advantage of that format.
Don't stop to question the plot too closely -- Hunt can beat up an entire Russian prison but struggles to best one gray-haired villain (Michael Nyqvist), and the team magically happens to find all the puzzle pieces to stop a nuclear launch in the time it takes most folks to grab a shower. But enjoy the supporting cast, which includes Simon Pegg as the comic relief computer whiz, Jeremy Renner as an analyst with a guilty secret, and Paula Patton as the lone female agent, who switches between seduction and butt-kicking with aplomb.
The film is director Brad Bird's first live-action undertaking -- you may know him from "The Incredibles" and "Iron Giant" -- and it's fun to think that maybe his animation experience helped him guide Cruise and pals as they swoop around like cartoons. J.J. Abrams of "Lost" is one of the producers, and he reunites with Josh "Sawyer" Holloway in a pivotal role.
One rumor had Cruise retiring from the franchise after this film and Renner taking over, but Moviehole reports that Cruise, Bird and Pegg are all open to returning for a fifth film. Why not? Cruise will be 50 in July but for a guy who famously did some of his own Burj Khalifa stunts, he has the verve of a action hero half his age. Should he choose to accept it, audiences will likely be happy to follow him on another "Mission."
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He won't be 50 until 2013... way to jump the "top" gun! Since I am exactly one year behind him I would appreciate people wouldn't speed up the process for us!
1 deleted, maxwithpains with a weird derail about Maroons.
...
I think stuff blowing up + Paula Patton will get me into a theater.
Not interested in seeing the Scientology Nut Ball do anything at all.
Thanks for all the spoilers! I like when the entire plot of the movie is revealed and all the best scenes are described in detail in just a few concise paragraphs. You just saved me $10.
these movies are -lame-
I see Tom Cruise has started attending the Al Pacino acting school... where you play the same character in every movie.
Mission Impossible was a dumb idea for TV and to make movies using this idea is even worse. Tom Cruise has made some excellent movies but he is wasting his talent in this silly nonsense.
I do not see what his scientolgy has anything to do with his acting ability...
I do not see why there is so much hate for him being who is is..
I look forward to whatever Tom does with anticipation...
It has always been a good ride and good use of resources....
Scientolgies will always have the haters like Mormons--Jews- islams---
I hate to say Christians are some really mutha Fing hating people....
I disavow the hate and realise we all need to live together.......
alas to many just hate
looks like a great movie to see and I do not see who, what, or where he is anything but an american citizen that it does matter...
to many want to tag people on rather than what they are but who they are and it seems your rleigion is aking a forefront and it should not...
alas all you hater of anyting but your own you should be ashamed cause Jesus taught compasssiion and ofrgiveness..
but alas nervermind
Great movie? Maybe to someone who watches Saturday morning cartoons.
You know Dan, not liking someone and refusing to go to his movie does not make one a hater. I really have no use for the man, his wife or kid. They are really the epitome of what is wrong with the world. Scientology or not, I think he is so in love with himself that it comes across in everything he does. His little girl is being given $1000 purses at age 5... They say SHE picks all her clothes, etc... While money is no object for this couple, why in the H.E.L.L. would you give someone a bag of that value? What does that teach the girl? All in all, have no use to see or hear anything to do so I never go to his movies. No big loss from his most recent movies I understand. Much better actors out there to watch than "the Cruise".
I could care less if hes a scientoligist, but when does a lot of yelling and screaming in the movie he sux as an actor. Mission Impossible would be a much better movie without Cruise.
For crying out loud. It's just an action movie. It has no real plot, it's not supposed to. It has no real dialogue. It doesn't require a great actor. You go to watch @!$%# get blown up. You go to see people get their arses kicked. You go to see car chases/crashes. You go to see more @!$%# blown up. Did I mention that you go to see @!$%# get blown up? It's not ment to cause you to have to think.
IT'S A FREAKING ACTION MOVIE! You go for the action. And as long as it as lost of ACTION, who gives a crap who is in it. YOU GO FOR THE ACTION! Period.
So stop all the damn whining. Pay your money. Watch @!$%# get blown up. Be entertained. And above all STFU!
It's an A C T I O N movie. Geeze.
I almost completely agree with you, in an action movie for the most part it is difficult for an actor to really detract from the moive if there are sufficent explosions and the FX department understands the word BIGGER!!!!! That said I have had the experience of some actor, trying to be a thesbian, detract and even ruin a good chain reaction car chase/crash or mega explosion. As to the complaints about doing anothe MI as Eddie Murphy is alledged to have said when offered a bad script "..you are goint to pay me HOW MUCH..."
LOL doesnt take much of a movie for George to be happy. Did someone break your tricycle.
ive done some research but i still cannot figure out what EXACTLY scientology is about, would someone please explain it simply and succinctly?
I grew up watching Mission Impossible the TV show. these movies and Cruise are crap.
The M. I. movies are great entertainment as long as you are able to keep your opinion about the actors on a personal level separate. Entertainment isn't always about perfection of substance.
doesn't anyone just have fun anymore?...fantacy takes me away from the grind & I love it !
Saw it this weekend. Totally worth the IMAX surcharge. If you like action, go see it.