Mission statement

In the original Mission: Impossible film Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt had to break into a room with floor sensors undetected. That meant nothing could touch the ground, not even a bead of sweat. If audiences today were watching the fourth entry in this series, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, on such a floor it would not take long for them to be detected. This hard-boiled, pulse-pounding thriller may be the most action packed one yet.

There are several well crafted scenes in this film that tickle your fancy while playing off your biggest fears in the same moment. Most notably involves Cruise trying to climb the outside of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai. What is so remarkable about that scene and so many others in this film is the way they hide how exactly they filmed them. Too often in today's action films scenes that heavily rely on CGI or other visual effects come off as phony looking and take you out of the moment. Here there's no sense of that. Hell, you hardly even can detect if they are using stuntmen even. As a result, you become more invested in having these characters succeed in their efforts to once again save the world.

The realistic nature of these scenes is even more surprising when you learn that they were directed by someone who's background had previously been exclusively in animation. Director Brad Bird, who had previously helmed The Incredibles and Ratatouille does a remarkable job of taking the flexible reality of cartoons and making it come to life in this live action thriller. It's a tremendous efforts for someone's first live action film and I expect more good things to come from him down the line.

With that said, it's one thing to film the action, it's another thing to actually do it, which is exactly what Tom Cruise does again. The guy gets a lot of flack for his personal life, but there's no doubt that he still knows how to bring it when you put him on screen. Cruise, who reportedly did most of his own stunts for the film, is an adrenaline junkie who excels at making the impossible look possible. He thankfully did not have to carry the load all on his own, though, as he was surrounded here with a solid group of partners. Paula Patton, who plays Jane, does an excellent job of seamlessly blending physical action with sex appeal. She more than holds her own in a couple of fight scenes to validate her presence on the team and shows that she wasn't just cast solely because she's easy on the eyes. Simon Pegg is also back as techie, Benji. He offers some good comic relief that is played perfectly so as to never detract from the seriousness of the stroy. Lastly, Jeremy Renner, plays an analyst who unwittingly gets roped into the mission. At worst, his presence merely adds some gravitas to the cast, but he also could be positioning himself as the heir apparent once Cruise is done with this franchise.

The only real strike against the film is the lackluster villain and his plan to conquer the world. Hendriks (played by Michael Nyqvist) does not have enough screen time to establish himself as a character and his decision to start a nuclear war feels played out. This has often been an issue with these M:I films, however. Their appeal is more in the elaborate nature of stopping the villain, regardless of who it is or what they're trying to do.

In a year where so many films, particularly action films have fallen flat or failed to live up to expectations, it's refreshing to see this one raise the bar and offer viewers something truly special. While I did not have the luxury of seeing this movie in IMAX, everything I've read suggests that is the way to go. If I was left breathless watching these scenes on a regular screen, I can only imagine how heart-stopping they must be in that format. If you're looking to avoid the heavy dramas or prestige pictures that often dominate the cineplexes at this time of the year, this is the movie for you. Cruise and company have proven that it's not 'impossible' to still feel fresh four movies into a franchise. Grade: A-

Following Protocol

Here's the latest trailer for next month's new Mission: Impossible film...

Fall Movie Preview (December)

CARNAGE (December 16)
Plot: Set in contemporary Brooklyn, New York, "Carnage" centers on two pairs of parents one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park, who meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.

Quick thoughts: The story may be simplistic, but that's because of it being adapted from the stage. What it lacks it setting, is more than made up for in the acting talent. With four supremely talented actors working off of each other in a very dark comedic story, I'll be very interested to see if director Roman Polanski can successfully turn this into an engaging film.


SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (December 16)
Plot: When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder, a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction, all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.

Quick thoughts: I absolutely loved the first venture into this franchise by Downey and co. so I am immediately on board for a second go-round. The fact that this one will feature Holmes' greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, only sweeteneds the deals. Let's just hope than unlike some of this year's sequels, this one is able to still feel fresh on its own.


THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (December 21)
Plot: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is the first film in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster "The Millennium Trilogy." Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon. The screenplay is by Steven Zaillian.

Quick thoughts: I'll be honest - I haven't read these books and I really don't know too much about what the plot involves. Having said that, the fact that it stars Daniel Craig and is being directed by David Fincher, who has made some of my favorite films in the past five years is enough of an incentive for me to at least give this (anticipated) trilogy a look.


MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (December 21)
Plot: The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name.

Quick thoughts: Unlike so many people, I really enjoyed the third entry in this franchise. And while J.J. Abrams isn't directing this one, he's still worked on it and left the director's chair in good hands with Brad Bird (who directed The Incredibles). In amongst all of the films vying for an Oscar, this will serve as a nice entertainment diversion come the Christmas season.


WE BOUGHT A ZOO (December 23)
Plot: "We Bought a Zoo," a memoir by Benjamin Mee, tells the true account of how the author and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening.

Quick thoughts: In the past, I've never really been a big fan of director Cameron Crowe's work, but they've been undeniably successful, especially come awards season. This one intrigues me mainly because of a solid cast (Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson) and a story that is true and hasn't been done a thousand times before. I have a feeling this will be infinitely better than The Zookeeper.


OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST:
The Sitter (December 9)
Young Adult (December 9)
The Iron Lady (December 16)
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (December 23)