Having grown up watching the Peter Graves starring Mission Impossible TV series, it’s taken awhile for the movie version to grow on me. That it has is down to some fast plotting and great stunt-work of which the original could only dream. This fourth impossible mission continues this ethos flitting across the globe in breathless style. With Tom Cruise again the star, the franchise shows no sign of slowing down with each high octane sequence as dazzling as the next.
While on an undercover assignment in Moscow, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are caught in an explosion destroying the Kremlin. Falsely accused and marked as criminals, his team are disavowed by the United States. On the run with help from fellow agents William (Jeremy Renner), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Jane (Paula Patton), they attempt to track down the master-mind behind the atrocity and stop their plans for nuclear Armageddon.
Although heavily borrowing choice moments from the James Bond films, ‘Mission 4’ adds enough of its own flavour to stand out. Much of the success can be attributed to a generally satisfying screenplay and Brad Bird’s astute direction which maintains interest. While dragging occasionally, it firmly keeps its focus on the dynamics of the team and how one false move can put any plan in jeopardy. The small cast allows for more character development and you genuinely begin to care what happens – making the action sequences more involving.
Another great aspect is its use of locations. Whilst looking suitably exotic they play an important part in the story instead of being a pointless scenery changer. These compliment the awesome action scenes as their unusual settings and buildings effectively heighten the tension of those sequences. Thankfully this pensive atmosphere extends to the general story even if the heroes are a little too reliant on hardware than their wits to out-smart their enemies.
Those who enjoyed the previous instalments should like this latest outing. Working as a slice of popcorn entertainment, ‘Mission 4’ continues seeing this spin-off from the TV show carve its own active niche in spectacular style.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
SOUNDTRACK
No comments:
Post a Comment