Mission Impossible 4—The Ghost Protocol

MI4 has been solely made for you to see it---and not think about it. You simply do not have time to think.Amazing action schedules, bomb blasts (even of the Kremlin!!), car chases, personal chases, computer wizardry, natural disasters--all have been blended into a thrill-a millisecond smorgasbord.The motto was clear—leave the audience stupefied. The result is a film which you HAVE to see, but which you will forget in a week.

The storyline is simple. A rogue scientist is aiming to lay his hands on a nuclear code which will control Russian nuclear missiles in secret undersea locations and direct it towards U.S. cities in retaliation for an explosion which blows up the Kremlin. The secret group, IMF led by Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) must stop them. Framed by the scientist, the IMG is held responsible for the Kremlin blast and subjected to the Ghost Protocol whereby the Government discards the IMG and will not offer it it’s facilities.

The scenario starts off with a prison outbreak, and moves on to Prague, Moscow, Dubai,and then to Mumbai!!! The landmarks are well established and the breathtaking Spidermanish clinging on to the glass panes of the highest building in the world and then rockfacing it in a memorable sequence leave you gasping.

Emotions have very little place in these sort of films—but the mere exchange of looks by Ethan and his wife Mary leaves a lasting poignancy to the last scene.

The wisecracking, guntoting members are in the same style as before—but some of the breathless suspense filled moments are absent. It is more action than ever.Tom Cruise retains his athleticism but his looks are being affected by age. He looks old in this film and  his stint as Ethan Hunt is nearing it’s end.

One of the key features is the use of the IMAX cameras which actually shows the glass warping under the pressure of Tom Cruise’s hands. The credits come in on an amazing sequence of a lighted strung out fuse-wire.The other high point is Tom Cruise’s incredible antics suspended on the walls of the Burj Khalifa—the highest building in the world without using a stunt double.

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Anil Kapoor had a brief role of little consequence but was surprisingly presented as a Romeo with little character—the typical Hollywood tragic view of Indian superstars….

The popcorn was finished in minutes,  so were the momos and French Fries.My usual practice of taking a snooze had to be abandoned as closing of eyelids could mean a missing of the action!!!

A film to see—and  marvel at from a distance. Not one for emotional bonding or nearness….