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After a recent viewing of the blockbuster Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, my roommate and I waxed about its virtues, and they were many. It’s a strong, well-crafted, and exciting action flick. But a few things about it stood out more than others and made me think why Ghost Protocol is more important than any other action movie that came out in 2011. Here’s why:
1. The End and The Beginning- While Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt may never reach the heights of John McClane or Jason Bourne, he has been a viable action property for over 15 years. And the man who plays him has been a leading action man for just as long. However, I began to see signs of wear and tear on the old boy, not to say he’s kaput, but he’s going to be soon. Which was why it was nice to see a semi-transition to Jeremy Renner, who will hopefully be included in future installments (come on, with the $$$ this one’s bringing, it’s inevitable). Call it a passing of the torch if you will, but I think it was a wise move to incorporate a younger actor, especially one with Renner’s chops. And he’s only going to get better and better at action as the new face of the Bourne series.
2. Winter Blockbuster?- I will go ahead and call myself out and say I was NOT encouraged by the fact that Paramount slotted GP for a winter release. Typically movies of this style and magnitude are released in the blockbuster tent pole season, which is why it was so great! I loved seeing a great action flick in cold weather. Here’s hoping the success of this film (along with Avatar previously) allows some further counter-programming to the serious Oscar buzz flicks.
3. Bird Flies High- Frankly this is the most important aspect of the film’s success, it’s director Brad Bird will now be able to make more movies if he wants (and we know he does). We knew he was a great animated director (see The Incredibles, The Iron Giant), but now we can drop “animated” from that title. The man just gets action, no two ways about it, he understands how big set pieces work and his excellence in animation is matched in live action. I will NEVER forget the feeling of near vertigo during the Burj Khalifa scene of GP. Peerless.
So I think GP was a hell of a movie, but its success could mean bigger things for all involved and we’re already seeing evidence. I’m excited to see what happens for 5.
