Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Tired of P

  
  Directed by Brad Bird, Paramount Pictures, 2011 Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Tom Wilkinson and Simon Pegg. Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller Question: Anyone sick and tired of sequels? Yeah, me too. However, I just saw Mission Impossible - Ghost… More
  Directed by Brad Bird, Paramount Pictures, 2011 Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Tom Wilkinson and Simon Pegg. Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller Question: Anyone sick and tired of sequels? Yeah, me too. However, I just saw Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol and may have to eat my words about this particular sequel. This one was pretty good! I must confess I was actually planning on viewing this movie for one reason and one reason only - Simon Pegg. Yes, you heard that right. Although Tom Cruise makes pretty decent movies I really went to see Ghost Protocol for one of the supporting actors. This is the honest truth. Sure he was in Mission: Impossible 3 but not enough, I say, so I didn't think he would be in the next installment. Indulge me for a moment....About six months ago I saw a preview for this one. Well, that's not true. I "heard" the preview as I was sitting in the theatre shielding my eyes as I normally do during previews. Immediately I thought I would skip the film until I heard Simon Pegg's voice and quickly looked at the screen. YAY! There is just something about him that cracks me up and pulls me to see everything he is in. It started with Shaun of the Dead (and I don't even like Zombie movies) and I never looked back. In fact, Simon Pegg was one of the first people I started following on Twitter; and even when I was sick of Twitter awhile back I couldn't cancel my account because his tweets give me the giggles....okay, enough...I will talk about the movie. Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol was a thrill ride from beginning to end. I am not kidding. So for you adreline junkies out there - go to the theatre now. You don't even need to finish reading this review....really, go, go now...Oh wait, see it in IMAX. This is the type of film that requires the biggest and best screening available. There is one part that even made me a little queasy due to a certain death-defying act performed by Mr. Cruise because you feel like you are right there within the scene. (How did his "people" allow him to go through something like that?) Now I suppose if you have a fear of heights, you might want to cover your eyes but try not to during this scene. It really was one of the most spectacular stunts I have EVER seen on film. This will not be the same on the TV screen, IPad or laptop, trust me. Since this is a thriller I won't go into any detail about the story. However, I will say Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team were given a mission, that they chose to accept, and you are along for the thrill of a lifetime. Also, Simon Pegg (yes, I am mentioning him again) was the great comic relief in this movie, which was needed because your heart pounds so much that you'll require a break from the tension. The fourth installment of this series got back to what I enjoyed from the first Mission: Impossible: action, adventure, thriller and no romance. Okay, ladies you might be mad at me for saying that, but there was not a romance story line connected to this one and I was relieved. Well, maybe there was a little one. The second and third installment went too much into a lovey-dovey tale for me with Thandie Newton's character in MI2 and Ethan Hunt's wife in MI3. Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE a good romance but these movies didn't need to cram in another genre to make it watchable for the female population. I really don't want to say any more about Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol except to say that if you are gadget nut you will enjoy this movie - a lot. I believe even Q and James Bond would have a difficult time containing their excitement at the amount of cool electronics in this film. There that's it. No more. Now go enjoy this film. My favorite thing: Simon Pegg - really! He was in this a lot more and he better be in the next one. My least favorite thing: That I actually got a little teary-eyed at the very end. What? You will just have to see why. Rating: PG-13 Length: 126 minutes Review: 8 out of 10

• Josh L

  
  Absolutely the best in a series that I found mediocre until now. Brad Bird by far did the best job among the admittedly good list of directors up until this point (Brian DePalma, John Woo, and J.J. Abrams). The previous three movies either had the problem of too convoluted of a plot… More
  Absolutely the best in a series that I found mediocre until now. Brad Bird by far did the best job among the admittedly good list of directors up until this point (Brian DePalma, John Woo, and J.J. Abrams). The previous three movies either had the problem of too convoluted of a plot to make sense, or too much action and not enough plot. Ghost Protocol got both right. I liked the cast to this one more than the others too (a couple returners, but Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton were great additions). This is just blockbuster action done right. For the first time in the series, I hope they make another with this cast intact.

• Melvin W

  
  Ethan Hunt: If the Secretary wanted me out of there, it must be pretty bad out here.  "No Plan. No Backup. No Choice." I haven't seen the previous three installments in the Mission Impossible series in some time, but I would argue from memory that this could possibly… More
  Ethan Hunt: If the Secretary wanted me out of there, it must be pretty bad out here.  "No Plan. No Backup. No Choice." I haven't seen the previous three installments in the Mission Impossible series in some time, but I would argue from memory that this could possibly be the best of the bunch. Ghost Protocol is a fun and exciting action thriller from the opening prison break to the final button push. It's a lot of close calls, skyscraper climbing, and shootouts; but it is done in a way that sets itself apart from the average action film.  I especially like the cast in this one. Obviously we are given Tom Cruise who is Ethan Hunt. But I really like the additions of Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg. Renner seems like an obvious choice for a role like this given his past performances in movies like The Hurt Locker and The Town. Simon Pegg on the other hand doesn't seem like a logical choice for a Mission Impossible movie given his filmography, but he fits his character perfectly. The rest of the cast fills out nicely as well. For a film that is mostly all action the acting is surprisingly strong. This one sure won't bore you for the two plus hours you are watching for. It's nonstop action but it also remains somewhat intelligent even given the impossible situations. There's a lot to look at. Sandstorms, cars, pretty women, big buildings, and fancy gadgets; the film doesn't go small on anything. Brad Bird leaped from animation to live action without a lull. Definitely check this one out if you are a fan of the series or just action films in general. It's one of the better ones to come out in awhile. It shouldn't disappoint and if it does disappoint you, I could hardly see why. 

• familiar s

  
  I wonder if it'd take a reincarnation or a few more decades of life (if my sufferings choose not to be extinct soon enough) to grow up to have sense enough to grasp this movie. Or if ever. I remember asking at least two times before going for it as to whether I'd be able to… More
  I wonder if it'd take a reincarnation or a few more decades of life (if my sufferings choose not to be extinct soon enough) to grow up to have sense enough to grasp this movie. Or if ever. I remember asking at least two times before going for it as to whether I'd be able to get it. And both the times, the reply was too reassuringly affirmative. I really can't appreciate such pranks. Anyways, talking about the movie, well, I'd do so once I'm eligible. But I've the right to criticize the performance. Not a waste, after all. Simon Pegg (Benji) had the best punch lines of all the characters in the movie, but he fails to deliver 'em. Bad for me that while I was able to get his punch lines, the execution sucked by and large. At first, I noticed only his performance as weak. However as the movie congressed, I found myself victim to more and more of incompetent performances. I felt that not this many actors can perform so marvelously on their own, so probably the director here deserves some credit for it. (And after reading a few reviews herein, one may not help but feel that not so many users could have left pointing this out in their opinions, so probably the ill-considered one is........ whatever you believe.) And no, I'm not taking out on him for the high-fi plot and its ultra high-fi execution. Although I've earned the rights to it. About the movie, well, until then. Nonetheless, it definitely is technically sound and visually enhancing. The rating is based on the viewing experience and is absolutely unbiased. You can count on it. Best if you need not.

• Albert K

  
  The Mission: Impossible's has seen its changes of style, and unfortunately, those changes have dumbed down the series as a whole. M:I 1 took a methodical, patient, and story-driven approach towards the world of espionage, and frankly, it was mesmerizing to witness tension… More
  The Mission: Impossible's has seen its changes of style, and unfortunately, those changes have dumbed down the series as a whole. M:I 1 took a methodical, patient, and story-driven approach towards the world of espionage, and frankly, it was mesmerizing to witness tension grinding through storytelling and dialogue -- not action. Yeah, it was executed with direction being decent at best, but what can we do? Number 2 came along with John Woo taking the helm by saying, "EFF YOU M:I 1!" and took a big pile of crap on top of the pin-droppingly quiet build up the first one patiently made. John Woo's approach: guns blazing with over-the-top action. I like to pull an "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" on the sequel; yeah, it was that bad. After such a disaster, J.J. Abrams took the third one, and it was arguably the best one in the franchise (My personal favorite from the entire M:I series). It was gritty with a sense of danger lurking around ever corner with a personal focused story centered around Ethan Hunt, but at the same time, carrying an ambiance of an epic, globe-trotting story. Even the action wasn't over-the-top; it was fixated on delivering a cohesive balance between action and the narrative. M:I 1 was patient and dialogue driven, M:I 2 was a mind-numbing action flick, and M:I 3 was the definition of a great blockbuster movie. See how the Mission: Impossible series is going through an identity crisis? "Ghost Protocol" comes along and messes things up again by having a very cartoony feel, coupled with dialogue almost as bad as the M:I 2 and a story that's thrown in with no thought. "Ghost Protocol" isn't that bad of a movie. Breathtaking cinematography and entertaining set-pieces. However, there's so much word praising this movie to be the best of the series, but I could not disagree more. What's the majority of people saying? The set pieces in "Ghost Protocol" is spectacular. I beg to differ. Though it is entertaining and carries a bit of tension, it's nothing that we haven't seen (except for the hallway scene which, in my book, is the best scene in "Ghost Protocol"). Additionally, every scene exudes a cartoon-like feel, whether it comes down to the extreme focus on gadgetry, the wise ass joking remarks being thrown around during the heat of a mission, the annoying score, or the hunk of cheese drowning the slim story. You take away the entertainment value behind the set-pieces and you get a below average action movie... oh wait, that's like 90% of action movies coming out nowadays anyways. I'm thinking maybe that's why perhaps people are entertained by an average movie, and that is what "Ghost Protocol" simply is -- an average movie. I know some don't agree, but there's way too many flaws. Also, why was Jeremy Renner included in this film? The story behind his character and Cruise's character was uninteresting and the outcome did little to satisfy or spark an interest. I really wanted to like "Ghost Protocol" -- I really did, but there's too many flaws to regard is as a memorable action blockbuster. Whether it was the laughable dialogue, the little focus on the narrative, and the unusual decision to deviate from the serious, gritty tone of the Mission: Impossible series towards a cartoony style, "Ghost Protocol" is one of the most overrated movies from recent memory.

• Jeff "

  
  The Mission Impossible series to just get better with each entry. I'm usually not a big fan of this series, always found the series good, but never anything great. For me, Ghost Protocol is the best flick along with the third film. If this is the final entry in the series, they… More
  The Mission Impossible series to just get better with each entry. I'm usually not a big fan of this series, always found the series good, but never anything great. For me, Ghost Protocol is the best flick along with the third film. If this is the final entry in the series, they definitely ended it on a high note. Ghost Protocol is action packed from start to finish and delivers non stop thrills. Brilliantly directed, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol is one of the best action films in recent memory and is the best entry in the series along with the third film. There's an impressive cast at hand for this entry in the franchise. Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner, who happens to be one of my favorite actors delivers on-screen. Pegg tends to bring a lighthearted blend of comic relief to his performance, which is great and works well on-screen. Ghost Protocol is the most skillfully crafted film in the series. The performances and action are great and this is one awesome flick from star to finish. Ghost Protocol is a fun film to watch and is a definite must see for action film buffs. The film is loads of fun, and even if you're not a big fan of the series, you'll probably enjoy the sheer intensity of the action of this film. The cast make this film work better and because of it, it belongs as one of the best action films. Ghost Protocol is a must see for action film fans. Brilliantly acted and directed, this is one film that delivers the thrills. This review will self destruct in five seconds.

• Keith A

  
  Packed with intense action, sheer excitement and probably the single best action sequence in recent years, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is the best film of the series that's even better than the previous installments! It's an adrenaline-fueled… More
  Packed with intense action, sheer excitement and probably the single best action sequence in recent years, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is the best film of the series that's even better than the previous installments! It's an adrenaline-fueled roller-coaster ride that doesn't stop until it's over!

• Dan S

  
  An entertaining if unnecessary and completely stupid and over-rated chapter to one of the most drawn out series in memory. Who cares what the plot is at this point, you know you are going to see ridiculous action sequences that always require the suspension of disbelief. Some of them… More
  An entertaining if unnecessary and completely stupid and over-rated chapter to one of the most drawn out series in memory. Who cares what the plot is at this point, you know you are going to see ridiculous action sequences that always require the suspension of disbelief. Some of them are great, some of them make you shake you head and say "No, just....no". That is pretty much all the movies in this series have been about. Sure, it is entertaining, and Tom Cruise is as marketable and talented a movie star as they come, but a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes? What?! Most people will probably enjoy this, I will admit I was definitely entertained, but at the same time could not escape the sheer stupidity on display. A perfect, perfect middle of the road action film that you will not remember at all five years down the line.

• Lewis C

  
  After a short hiatus, the Mission Impossiblr franchise is back. And yes, it's still a blast. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is the best pure action flick I've seen in quite a while. There were quite a few "wow" moments where all I could do was stare at what… More
  After a short hiatus, the Mission Impossiblr franchise is back. And yes, it's still a blast. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is the best pure action flick I've seen in quite a while. There were quite a few "wow" moments where all I could do was stare at what was happening on the screen in amazement. It's just a fun movie, through and through. Any Mission Impossible fan will be pleased, and seeing it on the biggest screen possible is a must. It may not can quite match the brutally personal story and ruthless villainous performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman that propelled the third (and still best) movie (both plot and villain are fairly generic, here), but Ghost Protocol tops it as far as the action is concerned and proves that the franchise (and Cruise himself) has lots of gas still left in the tank. I'd love for this cast to stick around and continue the series.

• Phil H

  
  Well well Mr Cruise you certainly are looking your years these days, no matter how much makeup you trowel on yourself you can't hide it Sir. Yep despite the clear amounts of money he spends to try and keep himself looking about 35, Mr Cruise is really starting to look out of… More
  Well well Mr Cruise you certainly are looking your years these days, no matter how much makeup you trowel on yourself you can't hide it Sir. Yep despite the clear amounts of money he spends to try and keep himself looking about 35, Mr Cruise is really starting to look out of place in these types of films. His dyed over straightened hair changes shape in almost every scene and his skin complexion is looking shaky with many wrinkles breaking through, he wouldn't admit it but I think Bluray is a fresh curse for these aging movie heart throbs lol! So a thoroughly middle aged Cruise leaps n bounds around yet another impossible mission with his rather oddly cast team of specialists. The first film was quite decent and slightly unique, almost a young 'Bond' adventure, the second had pretty visuals but was merely a huge ego trip for Cruise while the third is possibly the best as a serious action film but not overly violent or bloody. The main big issue with this fourth film is thus, we all knew everything about the film before it was released, the big flashy stunt in Dubai was no surprise, with all the hype they killed any big surprises in the film. This problem, although a common issue, wasn't the only problem of the over hyping, the other HUGE problem was that one stunt basically made this film a one trick pony. By this I mean the rest of the film is really rather mundane, nothing special, the only good tense fun part is the 'Burj Khalifa' stunt and that's it, after that its back to being rather mundane again. That is how I saw this film, I really wanted to see the 'Burj Khalifa' stunt, it looked amazing and I was shocked to hear Cruise had done such an extreme stunt, when I saw the sequence I wasn't disappointed either as its a very sweaty palm inducing scene haha and executed brilliantly. But that was it, the whole film revolved around that one stunt! I was merely watching and waiting to see that stunt, like waiting for the Titanic to sink in 'Titanic' or the attack on 'Pearl Harbour' in 'Pearl Harbour'...the rest was just filler. Don't get me wrong the rest of the film is fine its just not particularly exciting, impressive or sensible that's all. The cast are all average, the humour is average, the ending is weak and Cruise never seems to get hurt much despite falling from great heights many times, jumping out of speeding cars or even driving a car deliberately off a ledge from a huge height (the dumbest least believable scene), he also never seems to have to fight anyone that actually looks threatening. In short the film is average accept for that one sequence in Dubai, the third M.I. film is still the best as this new one really seems to be pushing the boundaries of how much of a believeable pummelling and battering 'Ethan Hunt' can take. We get it Tom...your the unstoppable action hero...even at 50.

• Scott G

  
  I am glad the cast was changed as it is always nice to see some diversity in each installment, as this one seemed to have it all, from a good plot, to some real snazzy gear and action, it's almost as if Tom was made for the center role, alongside some highly talented actors such… More
  I am glad the cast was changed as it is always nice to see some diversity in each installment, as this one seemed to have it all, from a good plot, to some real snazzy gear and action, it's almost as if Tom was made for the center role, alongside some highly talented actors such as Jeremy Renner himself, including some revealing twists and turns brings the story to an open ending that rings all the bells for a sequel, and for a high octane one at that.

• Al S

  
  The best and most furious Mission: Impossiable yet. A spectacular and tremendously entertaining movie. An explosvie and high-octane action-packed thriller. A state of the art, full-throttle edge of your seat thrill-ride that packs stunning action sequences, riveting suspense,… More
  The best and most furious Mission: Impossiable yet. A spectacular and tremendously entertaining movie. An explosvie and high-octane action-packed thriller. A state of the art, full-throttle edge of your seat thrill-ride that packs stunning action sequences, riveting suspense, breathless energy, tremendous excitement and humor into one hell of a sizzling cocktail. An adrenaline-soaked action movie thats too much fun to pass up. Director, Brad Bird`s energy and craft makes this film worth it every step of the way. Tom Cruise is back and better than ever, shwoing off his star power and bringing in a great team of solid stars. Cruise gives another great performance and proves he should stick with this franchise. Simon Pegg is terrific. Paula Patton is wonderful. Jeremy Renner is excellent. They have great chemistry together. A sharp and fast-paced story that is surprisingly deep with solid and compelling characters. It`s superbly directed, well-character drawn and wickedly well-told. Action movies dont get any cooler than this.

• Julie B

  
  Blew my socks off. In a good way. Best action flick I've seen in a long time.

• Martin S

  
  When I saw M:I 3 I called it "Just good old action". And that's what this is...even more so. It's interesting...about 80% ov the movie you are excited. And that's good for a action movie today. And it's was fun to see Michael Nyqvist. They didn't use… More
  When I saw M:I 3 I called it "Just good old action". And that's what this is...even more so. It's interesting...about 80% ov the movie you are excited. And that's good for a action movie today. And it's was fun to see Michael Nyqvist. They didn't use him to pefection...but he didn't disapoint. The franshice isn't dead...cause this was a lot better than the 3rd one

• Raymond W

  
  With an unusually complex and deep story, fantastic set pieces, and stylish, fast-paced direction, Brad Bird has brought us a great Mission Impossible film. Suspenseful, action-packed, and funny at times, this is a big-budget christmas movie that is really fun and it works. The… More
  With an unusually complex and deep story, fantastic set pieces, and stylish, fast-paced direction, Brad Bird has brought us a great Mission Impossible film. Suspenseful, action-packed, and funny at times, this is a big-budget christmas movie that is really fun and it works. The fancy, stylish costumes, incredible on-location set pieces, and great cinematography really helped the story and made it believable.

• Kase V

  
  The newest in the 'MI' franchise is a force to reckon with. Quite possibly the best action film of the year, the camera work is amazingly well-done and the effects are astonishing. The story may not be as engaging as the third, but the action pieces and well-choreographed… More
  The newest in the 'MI' franchise is a force to reckon with. Quite possibly the best action film of the year, the camera work is amazingly well-done and the effects are astonishing. The story may not be as engaging as the third, but the action pieces and well-choreographed fight scenes are marvels in themselves. Renner adds amazing touch to a franchise that doesn't seem to be out of juice yet, and that is VERY good news for the rest of us.

• Mike S

  
  Superbly directed action from the first minute to the last! Even if I still hold the original as my favourite in the series, the sensational stunts of this film is definitely one for the record books. The jaw-dropping sequence at the Burj Khalifa hotel - a rush of adrenaline that… More
  Superbly directed action from the first minute to the last! Even if I still hold the original as my favourite in the series, the sensational stunts of this film is definitely one for the record books. The jaw-dropping sequence at the Burj Khalifa hotel - a rush of adrenaline that exhilarates to the extreme - comes especially to mind. Cast-wise, it's quite the pleasure as well. British funnyman Simon Pegg provides some nice comic relief (although corny such at times), while Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner bring out their absolute A-game. And for me as a Swede, it was an incredible, if somewhat surreal joy to see Michael Nyqvist as the villain. Just a few years ago, I would have never guessed him to take the leap over to Hollywood, but I'm sure glad that he did. Especially as he's one of the finest actors that our country has to present. As for the film's front figure, I can say only this: no longer may I have any respect for Tom Cruise the person (he's still a Scientologist after all), but he certainly hasn't faded one bit as a dare-devil action star. So what it boils down to here is one of the true must-see popcorn movies of 2011. Kudos to director Brad Bird, for making the impossible possible, and granting us an invite to a sequel that breathes new life into the franchise. He really pulled out all the stops on this one, delivering a fun and energizing, balls-to-the-wall action-fest. If it doesn't raise your pulse, you are either dead or made of stone. Because as far as spy thrillers go, this is one of the coolest ever conceived.

• Tim S

  
  I had a chance to see this on the big screen recently, and I was very, very pleased that I did. The M.I. sequels haven't been all that memorable. I really enjoyed the first one and haven't really been all that impressed with what came after it. Thankfully, Brad Bird has… More
  I had a chance to see this on the big screen recently, and I was very, very pleased that I did. The M.I. sequels haven't been all that memorable. I really enjoyed the first one and haven't really been all that impressed with what came after it. Thankfully, Brad Bird has changed that with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. There are several things about it that make it one of the best action movies I've seen in a long time, as well as a great film on its own. First of all, it only contains a little over 700 special effects shots, which compared to the usual big dumb action movies that have around 1500 or more, it's a welcome enhancement using practical effects for a change (not to mention that almost all of the CGI effects don't stick out). The film is also well-paced, thanks to a tight story and fantastic editing by the great Paul Hirsch. It's not important to the integrity of the film, per se, but it also features the tallest building in the world in Dubai (which hadn't been filmed previously). It's a great location and used to great effect as film's show-stopping set piece. Brad Bird has really knocked it out of the park here. With his live-action directorial debut (previously directing the greats The Iron Giant and The Incredibles), it's an insanely entertaining movie.

• Carlos M

  
  An exhilarating, action-driven chapter that is certainly on par in quality with the excellent previous one. The script is obviously the least important here, since this is actually a pretty great excuse for badass chases, exciting car crashes, elaborated set pieces and more… More
  An exhilarating, action-driven chapter that is certainly on par in quality with the excellent previous one. The script is obviously the least important here, since this is actually a pretty great excuse for badass chases, exciting car crashes, elaborated set pieces and more fascinating ultra-high-tech equipment.

• danny d

  
  an excellent film that, minus the second film, solidifies this franchise for me as viable. i once hated this franchise, but ive gained a solid appreciation for it in recent times and this is an excellent addition. the story was a bit convoluted and the first part of the film a bit… More
  an excellent film that, minus the second film, solidifies this franchise for me as viable. i once hated this franchise, but ive gained a solid appreciation for it in recent times and this is an excellent addition. the story was a bit convoluted and the first part of the film a bit too quickly paced, but overall it was exciting, semi buyable, and just a lot of fun in a time when action films are usually lacking.

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