How I watched it: at the local multiplex, with my family on Christmas
Why I wanted to see it: EW’s Owen Gleiberman named it one of the ten best films of the year, I like Jeremy Renner, and it seemed like a good fun-for-the-whole-family kind of movie
Would I see it again in the theater: no
Would I watch it at home or want to own it: I wouldn’t own it, but I may watch it again
My thoughts: First, a few disclosures: I’m not a Tom Cruise fan, and I’m not a big Mission: Impossible fan. I liked the first one okay, the second one was alright, and I didn’t see the third. I saw the trailer for this a month or two ago and thought it looked good. The movie was getting good buzz and it was a good pick for the family on Christmas. I’m glad I saw it, and I enjoyed it, but one of the ten best of the year? Probably not.
The Swedish Mikael Blomkvist (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is the bad guy in this film. After an op at the Kremlin goes awry, the IMF (don’t ask me what it stands for–except it’s not the International Monetary Fund) is dissolved and disavowed (the titular ghost protocol). Tom Cruise and his team are on their own to stop Mr. Swedish Blomkvist from starting a nuclear war.
The plot hopscotches our heroes from Russia to Dubai to India. As previously mentioned, I’m not a big Tom Cruise fan, but he’s got a good grip on his character, Ethan Hunt, and he led his team well. Paula Patton is the girl, and despite an almost dangerous turn into obligatory-love-interest territory, she avoids this cliche and is pretty kick ass. Jeremy Renner is awesome and Simon Pegg is hilarious. I like my action movies with a sprinkling of humor and Pegg filled the need nicely.
If you know action/spy movies, you know what you’re getting, and M:I-GP delivers. The scenes climbing and running around the Khalifa Tower are cool and Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton get the best fight sequences, also while in Dubai. The film is nicely positioned for another sequel, which I’d see, if Pegg and Renner are back. B
