Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Mission Impossible is and always has been a great series of great action shots. I’ve always been more interested in them than the story itself, which was never exactly perfect but it managed to captivate my interest. In this instalment, I was more interested in the huge list of interesting actors. Cool Tom Cruise is a classic, but Simon Pegg also amused me a lot. On the other hand, it is a pity that Michael Nyqvist did not have a more remarkable part and that you can’t even tell that some scenes were shot in the Czech Republic. The important thing is that the director of animated movies was able to make one of the best action films that I have seen in the last few years. And I think that when I give it a go again, I might increase my rating to five stars, because some scenes here were really at the level of an action orgasm and I couldn’t get enough of them. Tom Cruise is really a champ, considering what I heard about how well he treated ordinary people on the set in Mladá Boleslav, and especially the fact that he shot all the action scenes himself. I bow down before him. (01/09/2013)

Everything I could ask for from an action movie. Well-written dialogues, detailed scenes that wait calmly for half an hour before engaging some of the indicated elements, a polished visual, and a soundtrack that reflects the subtle irony and exaggeration of the whole spectacle. Two hours of dynamism, invention and infiltration, each with more ideas than any previous MI as a whole. Finally, it doesn't take itself too seriously and it bets on only one big currency - spy entertainment. The best MI and overall one of the best and most unique blockbusters of recent years. Thumbs up for Brad Bird - he sees action differently. Where others would bet on monumetality and quantity, the director plays with the perfect execution of de facto relatively tight scenes, the spectacularity of which does not lie in the number of explosions, but rather in the intelligent use of scale and utilization of the environment. Bird just sees better. (05/09/2013)

The most compelling evidence for why we should adore Abrams. This Scientology production tinsel may have inherited most of its predecessor's hallmarks, such as adrenaline-pumping action and plenty of teasing of past films, but it neglected to add at least a drop of itself to it. Neither the BMW prototype nor the protagonist's breasts stay in your head longer than the legendary opening countdown lasts; there’s zero work with the villain, the plot isn’t very catchy, and the premature climax of everything that was already done in Dubai is Bird's sole responsibility. (12/22/2011)

One could say that Ethan Hunt for the fourth time is a bet on a very sick horse. However, such a thing could be said at a time when the second part infected the cinemas, which was just as far from a good action movie as fries are from a classic French onion soup. Currently, "M:I" is once again a highly sought-after brand and we can apparently look forward to the fifth installment. The success of the last notch lies in several points. These points are Tom Cruise, the team, a well-crafted story, and locations. Tom Cruise, although a fresh fifty-year-old, is absolutely perfect in action scenes, and also funny. He doesn't wear as many masks anymore, which is another point for him. However, the others support him brilliantly. Events from the third part are present in this one as well, with Ethan's story unfolding, and his partners remaining by his side. Ving Rhames only appears briefly at the very end, but Simon Pegg managed to rise to the level of a lead actor of supporting characters, whom you will love. His antics in American brawls are simply excellent. The new member of the team is Jeremy "Hawkeye and the new Bourne" Renner and Paula Patton, who are definitely pleasant additions because together they create a great team. The story is a bit of a classic spy one, where it's about nothing less than the destruction of the world, and the main villain is none other than a Russian portrayed by Michael Nyqvist, who fit better in the "Millennium" series. And finally, the locations. "M:I" has returned to the Czech Republic, pleasing the presence of Pavel Kříž. There are many locations here, including a sandstorm. In this regard, the film remains very interesting and keeps the viewer on the edge, providing a spectacular spectacle to cheer for the good guys. Brad Bird ("The Incredibles" or "Ratatouille") directed a sequel that he definitely doesn't have to be ashamed of. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/08/parmeni-krysy-z-temnot-mi-4-blazniva.html (02/27/2013)

I had a little problem reviewing Ghost Protocol. The fact is that I didn't enjoy the film at all from the beginning and it was clearly heading toward parts of the film world that mean nothing to me. On the other hand, if I were to be objective, the film was better than some of the previous installments in the series, so I should go back to the older ones and reassess them. As others have said, it's a parade of beautiful people (women, men), and beautiful things (high-tech toys, perfectly fitting suits from expensive fashion houses). It could be meant as a compliment, but I don't feel that way about it. I would also add that it has very unobtrusive but effective product placement. What is visually attractive about Ghost Protocol, meaning the set design, effects, and non-stop action, doesn't impress me. The high-tech gadgets rather annoy me and overall, I would describe the direction the series took as a worse aspect of Bond's legacy. At least Bond has style and in the newest films, they even try to add some psychological depth and character development, whereas here the characters are as flat as a sheet of paper. What fails the most in my eyes (and it's paradoxical) is the humor, because, unlike the previous installments, the film doesn't take itself seriously and becomes an action comedy. However, the comedic aspect doesn't paradoxically affect me, I simply can't laugh at the exaggeration. Maybe it's because the action, story, and characters are taken to such absurdity that even parody has nowhere to go. Perhaps this is the first film where Simon Pegg, no matter how hard he tries, simply doesn't entertain me at all. Overall impression: 25%. (10/27/2013)