Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol | Film review

The Mission: Impossible juggernaut rolls on. Following an attention-grabbing prelude in which Sawyer from Lost takes three to the chest, we catch up with secret-agent man Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in a Russian prison, from which he easily escapes with the help of colleagues Benji (Simon Pegg, the jokester) and Jane (Paula Patton, the beauty).

Then it’s off to the Kremlin for an assignment that quickly goes awry. Let’s just say it involves nuclear codes and a Blofeld wanna-be. There’s a rendezvous with Mr. Secretary (Tom Wilkinson), who disavows Hunt and his team after declaring, “The President has initiated Ghost Protocol!” with where’s-my-paycheck? solemnity. Many parties get capped. Ethan subsequently tags along with mystery man Brandt (Jeremy Renner) to an undercover train car—and Dubai and Mumbai—for a series of spectacular, partial-IMAX set pieces. Climb the world’s tallest building! Chase Blofeld Jr. through a sandstorm! Meanwhile, the IMF tries to prevent worldwide nuclear destruction. What’s next?

Ghost Protocol ultimately registers as an eye-rolling monument to Cruise himself. Still, after the first two lazy, near-unwatchable sequels, Iron Giant and Incredibles helmer Brad Bird has at least given the franchise a kick in the pants.