Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

This epic flick landed in our cinemas on Boxing day and currently to date holds the number spot at the box office, overtaking Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. I can't remember the last time I'd watched Mission Impossible and couldn't remember much of the storyline so I was going in 'fresh' and open minded about the film. I had only read the rave reviews from critics that had made me to want to see it.

The film begins with agent Ethan Hunt escaping from prison only to discover that the reason for his escape is not that simple. There is an explosion in the Kremlin in Moscow and Hunt is believed to be the main suspect for causing the damage. The plot then takes off with the information that Hunt is given by his boss, the IMF secretary: he is to complete this mission without any back up as he is now a fugitive, contact, plan and choice. His team is not only under the pressure of time but also the eye of the Russian police and the decieving mask of the enemy.

As far as thriller-action films go, we never expect an emotional impact from the actors, which is the forfeit that action films accept-its either action or romance-both are usually absolute fails. M.I.4 is filled with mindblowing action around a cliché action formula-one intelligent nutter intends to blow up the world and a secret agent and his hottie et al are going to save the day. But what you see is far from just the ordinary bang-bangs and explosives, even the gadgets are refreshing and different it adds another layer of 'coolness' into the secret service mix.

Expect epic explosions, sand storms and a hell of a lot more kick ass stunts that are actually done by the man himself, Tom Cruise. He really did his own nail biting stunts on the tallest building of the world, Burj Khalifa. The stunts pulled are all so over the top and unimaginable, which makes it work, they don't call it mission impossible if its just any ordinary task.

Director Brad Bird did a great job at keeping us in suspense. He takes the plot to different exotic locations, racking up a grand sum of air miles to Russia, Dubai and Mumbai. The plot constantly moves forward keeping the stunts coming and thats what I love about it, there isn't a moment to spare and it kept me interested. Ok the storyline is nothing groundbreaking but the chief thrill of stopping the evil genius is gripping. There is the constant gamble of 'will he won't he' make it scenarios that keeps us entertained and in the moment we hold our breathe, surely that gives the film some credit. He may not be as suave as Daniel Craig, but personally I think he's far more entertaining than him. it definitely serves to thrill us. This is a must see and a great action blockbuster to start the New Year with.