Dec 15, 2011 12:14 PM
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The Mission Impossible franchise began with the tv series Mission Impossible in the late sixties/early seventies. It was then rebooted by Cruise in 1996 into a successful film franchise, though the tv series purists might maintain that the films and the tv series have not much in common. The first Mission Impossible film in 1996kept a close touch with the tv series by employing key tv series dynamics in the film which were common to the tv show – for example, the use of masks as a disguise and the central theme of betrayal. Also, Mission Impossible is perhaps solely responsible in creating the signature action sequence of the film franchise – the long, near death drop from the air into a sensor controlled room. That sequence, even though it was revolutionary at the time and has perhaps become identifiable as much as the theme of Mission Impossible, it was losing its charm. The 2nd film was haphazard and probably the worst of the quartet and whilst the 3rd film tried to bring back the chutzpah of the franchise, the damage had already been done. Much of what is good about Mission Impossiblefilms, we associate with the first film. So, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol had its work cut out. Cruise’s fame has also deteriorated; some questionable associations and outbursts at interviews haven’t helped his cause. But still, Mission Impossible has never been a lost cause. It has perhaps one of the most easily identifiable themeand background score in film and television history, sequences that we automatically associate with the conventions of the franchise and an extremely charming protagonist in Agent Ethan Hunt. All that was required was a bit of polishing, streamlining and direction. That is easier said than done. Brad Bird, Pixar film genius and animation director extraordinaire (best associated with the animated success The Incredibles), helms the film and shows us that that saving the brand of Mission Impossible is actually quite possible. In one stroke – he creates perhaps one of the best films of the year, gives the film direction by having a sensible plot and recreates the charm of Tom Cruise, with Cruise churning of the best performances of his career in recent times.
Plot:
Rather than describing the plot in one section, it is easier to divide the plot into 3 sections. In fact, the plot does not give us 1 “impossible” mission for the IMF team to complete, it gives us 3 interlinked, but complete in themselves missions that the team has to complete. So basically, you get the fun of 3 films in one!
1st mission:
The film opens in Budapest with Agent Hanaway being assassinated and the file he was supposed to intercept being taken from him. Cut to Tom Cruise aka Ethan Hunt being busted out of a prison in Moscow by his team which comprises of Agent Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg). Ethan gets his first mission – a terrorist hellbent on nuclear war codenamed “Cobalt” wants Russian nuclear activation codes. It turns out that the file that was taken from Agent Hanaway contained those codes. Ethan’s mission is to infiltrate the Kremlin in Moscow and get the files on “Cobalt” from the archive room so that nuclear war can be averted by gaining the identity of “Cobalt” before he launches nuclear missiles.
However, the files on “Cobalt” in the archive room are already empty and the Kremlin is blown up, with the blame laid on Ethan and his team. The IMF is disavowed.
2nd mission:
Cut to Dubai. This is perhaps the best mission of the 3. Ethan and his team must intercept the assassin who killed Hanaway and get the missile codes from her before she can give them to “Cobalt” in the Burj Khalifa. En route, Ethan is joined by William Brandt, chief analyst of the IMF and now part of the team. This part of the film must be seen to be believed. The Burj Khalifa sequence is perhaps the best action sequence of the year.
3rd mission:
Cut to Mumbai. Ethan and his team must gatecrash a party thrown by Brij Nath (Anil Kapoor), tycoon and playboy, and intercept his satellite, so that “Cobalt” does not get to launch the nuclear missiles and plunge the world into nuclear war.
3 impossible missions, world on the brink of nuclear war, death defying action sequences, this is what vintage action movies are all about.
The action:
Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol is perhaps the best action film of the year. Many times, we complain of “mindless violence/action” but here, all the action is directed towards a purpose and it’s quite innovative too. Some sequences that must be mentioned include – the screen filter initiated at the Kremlin that helps the team to infiltrate the archive room, Ethan climbing the Burj Khalifa from the outside and then crashing into the room. The cinematography of that sequence is top notch. It is literally edge of the seat stuff. Other scenes include the chase in the sandstorm, Ethan dodging people in Mumbai in his BMW and still driving at breakneck speed, the opening prison sequence with the guards and the prisoners and the eventual break out of Ethan, the magnetised drop (the signature sequence of the film given a much needed refreshing touch up) and the climax fight between Ethan and “Cobalt” with the 40 foot car drop. The film also brings back memories of the tv series with using things that worked for the first film and the tv show – the theme is simplified and during the credits we see snippets of the actual film (as was done in the tv show). It’s all there and so much more.
The heart:
Even with so many things going on, the film never loses its heart. There is enough room for character development of Agent Carter and her relationship with the deceased Agent Hanaway, Ethan and his relationship with his wife, Brandt and his knowledge of secrets regarding Ethan and his own guilt which is why he became Chief analyst. The characters’ motives and their tragic circumstances do touch you and you realise that all these people have nothing to lose that is why they are so willing to embrace death if and when it comes. And trust me, the action is truly death defying. There is no other way to describe it, it is literallydeath defying. Also, the films ends on a happy note rather than a sad one which is a nice contrast to the tragic tone continued throughout the film.
The acting:
Tom Cruise is ecstatically brilliant as Special Agent Ethan Hunt. Even though he is doing this role for 4 films now, he still finds ways to add depth to the role while not making the character overtly sentimental and always willing to defy death in more innovative ways. Also, once you know that Cruise always does his own stunts rather than hiring stunt doubles, you will appreciate him even more. Its not that I’m a fan of Tom Cruise, I just particularly liked him in this film. He has an easy likeability in the film. Given that Cruise also produced the film, overall, Cruise has a lot riding on the success of Ghost Protocol. Jeremy Renner as analyst William Brandt compliments Cruise well and he, instead of Cruise, gets to do the signature “drop” sequence in this film. Paula Patton as Agent Carter has good emotional range and is the heart of the film, but she is also extremely good in the action sequences. It helps that she looks gorgeous as a seductress as well.
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