Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

The old gag about Tom Cruise running in all his recent films doesn’t let up in Brad Bird’s Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. See Tom run through a prison. See Tom run through Red Square. See Tom (try to) run from a sandstorm. Heck, you can even see Tom run along outside the world’s tallest building! Should you run to your nearest multiplex though to check out Ethan Hunt’s latest celluloid adventure? The first thing to say is that this is the best MI film since Brian De Palma’s in 1996. OK, so it’s not difficult to top John Woo’s shallow second film and, though I appreciate there’s some fans of JJ Abrams 2006 effort (more on that in a bit), this also tops that, providing enough decent moments to see you through a Friday night viewing. Don’t be fooled though: This is a pretty absurd film. In terms of plot, when the Kremlin is attacked Hunt & Co are in the wrong place at the right time as far as the Russians are concerned. Therefore, the IM team is disavowed by the US Government and Hunt and friends must go rouge in order to discover the truth about said bombing. The last film tried a harder angle but was undone by a screenplay trying to outdo itself. It appears Bird (and Cruise) didn’t think much of that that approach either as the story line here is pretty simple (a somewhat dull nuclear missile threat) and there is a nice streak of humour running all the way through. What with Bird’s Simpsons and Pixar background I guess it’s not much of a surprise that this is a lighter concoction. This is Bird’s live action debut and he does a standard job without ever hitting any moments of real class. Well, I say “action”, but this film is affected with the curse of modern day films, i.e. special effects. Obviously, you can’t destroy the real Kremlin, but the visuals are poor throughout the whole picture and it annoys just as much as it proves un-thrilling. More effort is also needed in terms of the films villain (played by Michael Nyqvist) who is so bland and off screen so much he’s pretty much a MacGuffin. Bird doesn’t help himself either with the film's quality varying wildly at times. To wit: The films signature scene with Cruise on the Burj Khalifa tower (hats off to him again by the way for doing most of his own stunts up there) is soon followed by a lame chase in the aforementioned sandstorm, for every decent gag by Simon Pegg there’s a stinker just round the corner and most of the films smart gadgets and devices are quickly forgotten about when it jumps the shark in spectacular fashion towards the end with a scene involving Jeremy Renner (looking as unimpressed as I expect most of the audience will be) and a floating magnetic suit. If that kind of thing is for you, then maybe I recommend you do run to the cinema. For the rest, I suggest a leisurely stroll and perhaps a viewing if you’re in a non-plussed kind of mood.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Despite appearances, this is more of one for all the family (the Pixar influence again) as opposed to anything really thrilling or fresh. Rating: 6/10.