MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL

IN THEATERS

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL



Academy Award-winning director Brad Bird (Ratatouille) makes his live-action feature directorial debut with the fourth installment of the massively successful Mission Impossible series. The Kremlin has been bombed, and the blame has fallen on the IMF. As a result, the president initiates Ghost Protocol, and accuses Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team of placing the bomb in an attempt to incite a global nuclear war. Now, in order to clear the IMF of terrorism charges, Ethan assembles a new team to uncover the truth by using every high-tech trick in the book. But this time they're on their own, and should they be caught, the entire world could be plunged into a nightmare from which there is no waking up. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Michael Nyqvist

Release Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence

Genres: Action/Adventure

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Review:

The Mission Impossible franchise has been a study in variety with each film bringing a different cinematic flavor. Ghost Protocol is simply fun from start to finish. Brad Bird, who also had directed The Incredibles & The Iron Giant, has tapped into that sweet spot for action films. Simplistic and bombastic, Bird delivers an adrenaline filled series of huge action set pieces that would serve as a climaxes in most films. Each is well planned and plotted, always keeping the audience in a white knuckled stance. The cast seems to be having just as much fun as the audience. Tom Cruise is about as relaxed as I’ve seen him in a long time. Cruise provides a steady cool and is always believable as super agent Ethan Hunt, a character that’s really defined his action career. Jeremy Renner is equally at ease in his role, he’s being prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise, and the two share a fun sense of chemistry on screen. Paula Patton is adequately sexy and powerful, while Simon Pegg shines as one the best comic relief role seen in a long time. Michael Nyqvist is appropriately sinister as the villain not that he’s asked to do much in the first place. There’s a small subplot involving a Russian cop that feels like it could have been excised and streamlined the run time but it’s a minor quibble. As a whole, Ghost Protocol is probably one of the best action films in recent memory but those that have seen Bird’s animated film shouldn’t be surprised.

A

[Trailer] Rock of Ages

I’ve been a big fan of movie musicals because I fell in love with Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.

Before that I can say I was generally disinterested in most musicals, since I just can’t get enough of them.

The teaser for Rock of Ages looks like it could be lots of fun with a nice dose of self aware cheese……

[Trailer] G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation

Can't say I could ever bring myself to watch the first one. This one looks like it's over the top to the point where it might be fun. That might is a big might, either way, watch Dwayne Johnson flex and everybody else pose their way through the trailer....

[Trailer] MEN IN BLACK 3

Men in Black is probably one of my favorite summer films. I can remember watching in the theater multiple times, something I rarely do. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith comedic chemistry was perfect and the sci-fi comedy took itself just serious enough.

The sequel was an example of excess as it just doubled everything with a grating effect, not to mention some of the most obvious marketing ploys in the history of film.

The trailer for the 3rd film gives me hope that we might see a return to the fun of the first….

MOVIE REVIEW: THE CAPTAINS

ON DVD / NETFLIX STREAMING

THE CAPTAINS



The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors whom have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.

Directed by William Shatner.

Starring: William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Chris Pine

Runtime: 97 min

Genres: Documentary

The Captains is the kind of documentary that’s required viewing for Trek fans like me. Your enjoyment of it may depend on how much you enjoyed William Shatner. Shatner directs and produces this insightful and occasionally emotional peek at the actors that have occupied the captain’s chair in Star Trek’s various iterations. While the documentary is supposed to be about the actors, Shatner never allows the spotlight to shine to far from him. Shatner as an interviewer is always interesting to see as he can be funny and terribly self aware while being incredibly self-centered. Personally, I found him enjoyable as he listens to various anecdotes from Patrick Stewart, Avery Brook, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula and Chris Pine. Shatner covers a wide range of topics mostly from the actors point of view, so those expecting deep musings into Trek story lines will be disappointed. Those who have interest in what it like as an actor to deal with a franchise will find lots to enjoy. Thing get very personal when the subject of divorce and family comes up, giving the film an unexpected emotional kick. The Captains is a Shatner production through and through, albeit a very personal one, but excellent viewing for any fan who’s interested in the people behind the characters.

B

[Trailer] The Cabin in the Woods

The long gestating Joss Whedon produced horror project recently got a release date and the trailer has come out.

I’ll admit I only knew a little about the actual film but after watching the trailer I’m a lot more interested than before as it hints to some fun genre bending intrigue.

By the time it hits the screen it’ll be 3 years since it wrapped filming, maybe it’ll be worth the wait.