Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Mike: Tonight we are reviewing Mission:impossible-Ghost Protocol, the fourth in the series starring Tom Cruise. So Michael what did you think?
Michael I: I'm a big fan of the Mission: Impossible series and a huge fan of the first. So there's a fairly high bar set for my expectations. I wouldn't say that this is my least favorite of the four, but it is satisfies my taste for a flashy, spy-action movie.
Mike: This is actually one of my favorites of the series. I especially liked the humor injected into the story without making it jokey or campy.
Michael I: Campy? No. Jokey? Full of them!
Mike: I was not a huge fan of the first Mission: Impossible and really liked JJ Abram's version.
Michael I: I can agree with you on the third.
Mike: Yes, but not like Roger Moore/James Bond filled with terrible jokes and puns.
Michael I: And to let everyone know where I rank this movie: First MI, MI3, MI4, MI2 ... with no offense to John Woo.
Mike: I think that turning this over to Pixar animation director Brad Bird was brilliant. I rate Woo's MI 2 higher than MI, but hey thats me.
Michael I: Maybe brilliant for a franchise trying to make it's way into the 'family' genre this holiday season. Bird mixed humor and action, much like The Incredibles, which was great.
Mike: Yes, I definitely saw Incredibles parallels also. Some of the complicated scenes in the movie seem like they might have been easier to film in animation than in live action.
Michael I: And some scenes were so truly unrealistic, that it would've fit better in animation.
Mike: i will admit that some of the shots at the tallest building in Dubai made my palms sweat.
Michael I: I think the guy beside me got sick watching it on IMAX!
Mike: I would almost hate to see this on a small screen after seeing it in IMAX. Several scenes were shot with IMAX cameras and the detail is incredible. It suits an action movie like this with its international locations.
Michael I: Speaking of international locations -- the IMF team gets into hot water after the Kremlin is bombed by a terrorist. Completely disavowed, Cruise and his hodgepodge team must redeem themselves by tracking down the maniac behind it all. (Plot sound familiar?)
Mike: Is it just me or that the plot to every Mission: Impossible movie?
Michael I: I'm glad they only make one of these every few years -- I get tired of hearing 'disavowed' in every-other scene.
Mike: To go with the international locations we have to have an international cast. Among all the unfamiliar Russians, people may recognize Michael Nyqvist from Swedish The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Anil Kapoor from Slumdog Millionaire. Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg return, but the team is rounded out by the welcome addition of Jeremy Renner and the attractive Paula Patton.
Michael I: The one star that I was looking forward to watching -- Jeremy Renner -- was great. But I couldn't keep my mind off of the stunning Paula Patton. Patton has been in quit a few films, but none as high-profile as MI4, opposite Tom Cruise.
Mike: I don't recognize her, but I was happy with her action chops. It seems like Renner is everywhere now, but I have to say I don't mind. I am looking forward to him in next years Avengers.
Michael I: Well, he's pretty much lined up with multiple franchises now. He's also taking over the Bourne franchise from Matt Damon. I just hope to see him in more indy movies, where he can really shine without doing green screen work.
Mike: After his great work in The Hurt locker and The Town, I think he can do whatever he wants.
Michael I: I have to admit, I didn't think he deserved the Oscar nomination from his performance in The Hurt Locker (I preferred the nod go to Viggo Mortenson for The Road). But I became a fan after watching The Town -- just a brilliant performance.
Mike: Even though JJ Abrams is only a procducer and not the director of this film, his presence is noticeable. The music is by Michael Giacchino, who scores everything Abrams does including Lost. Speaking of Lost, is that Sawyer (Josh Holloway) at the begining of the movie? Yes, I do believe it is.
Michael I: So what would you rate this, Mike?
Mike: I give this a 4 out of 5. I think it is a great mix of the action we expect with a right amount of humor added in. The plot may not be as twisty as it could be, but chases and thrills are what I was there for.
How do you rate this?
Michael I: Wow. Certainly not a 4, which would rank it up there among my favorites for the year. I would say it's a 3 out of 5. It's certainly entertaining, and it delivers the cameo appearances that I required, but I doubt that I'll want to rewatch it again anytime soon.
Mike: You and I defintely have different views of these movies. Sounds like I need to go back and watch the first one again. I will certainly be reatching this one.
Michael I: Brian DePalma blew me away with the first Mission: Impossible. I remember the theater I saw it (Va. Beach at Lynnhaven), when and who I saw it with. Good times. Great movie. Probably one of my all-time favorites.
