To say this particular sequence is exhilirating barely does it justice.
Because mark this as a franchise back on track.
Appreciating thatMission: Impossible IIIwas quite warmly received, I was never that sold on it.
Save for one or two impressive sequences, it was a long away from Brian De Palmas franchise opener.
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocolis a whole lot surer, at least for three quarters of the way.
From that confident opening, the pieces of the plot fall into place.
There are nuclear weapons.
There are bad people.
The pay off, as a consequence, is regularly impressive.
Paula Patton is worth bringing back, too.
There are a couple of niggles.
However, in a year thats not been short of good blockbusters,Ghost Protocolis another that stands tall.
Its a significant improvement on the last film, and feels closest in tone and execution to the first.
It benefits from feeling just a little more ensemble-driven, too.
The gauntlet has certainly been laid down to Christopher Nolan in that regard.
In many senses,Ghost Protocolis a riposte to that.
Most importantly of all, though, its a really enjoyable, if overlong, night at the movies.
And its one that deserves to be seen on an absolutelymassivescreen.
Rating:
4 out of 5
