Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol

This series is known as America's James Bond.  I prefer Britain's James Bond myself...

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol follows the ongoing spy life of Ethan Hunt, one of the top agents from the IMF agency, facing yet another mission.  Only this time he goes rogue.  His mission, which he chooses to accept, is to save the world, yet again, from some sort of bomb.  Really, what's the difference what he's saving the world from?  It's all the same...  This film stars the obvious Tom Cruise, the talented Jeremy Renner, the funny Simon Pegg, and the beautiful Paula Patton.  

So where was I?  Oh yes, the fact that I find it insulting when comparing Mission Impossible to James Bond.  The reason I say that is not because Mission Impossible isn't a decent film series.  In fact, Mission Impossible has always been a solid and reliable film series.  The reason I say it is because James Bond is about the swagger/charm of the character, where the audience connects and feels for the character on an emotional level.  It is not just about the story line and how much action they can fill it with.  The character of Ethan Hunt, on the other hand, does not possess characteristics worthy of a strong attachment to the audience.  In fact, he isn't what makes the films what they are.  It's the supporting actors that made this film and, if I look back, the films before.  Whatever spark there once was between Ethan Hunt and the audience, it has long disintegrated to relying on the supporting actors and the ridiculous, yet remarkable stunts.

As you can see, I have more respect for the strength of character, than for action and stunts.  That said, the scene where Tom Cruise climbs the Dubai building is impressive and terrifying to think about.  So I will give him credit for doing it.  I will also clarify, Tom Cruise is a decent actor.  It's not that he isn't.  He just hasn't bothered to develop his character more than by plot.

The writing for this film was well done and light.  Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg were as wonderful as always.  As for Paula Patton, other than being pretty and adding a female dynamic to the scenes, she wasn't impressive as an actress.  I would also like to point out the ridiculous fighting scenes.  I thought the characters fighting each other (particularly at the end with the cars, and when the bad guy gets in a car crash) was just plain stupid and unrealistic.  Usually, when a person is involved in a car crash, they can't get back up and start running within seconds... just sayin'.

Mission Impossible films definitely know how to capture your attention, but they don't know how to make that connection meaningful and with purpose.  Maybe they're supposed to be light and fleeting, but if that's the case, it is no James Bond.  James Bond is iconic and Ethan Hunt is... not.


I give this film 7.5/10 for being, if I could sum it up in one word - okay.