Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

REVIEW:

There’s something undeniably thrilling about watching a franchise hit its stride, and Ghost Protocol is the moment the Mission: Impossible series truly found its modern identity. Brad Bird’s live-action directorial debut injects the series with kinetic energy, slick visuals, and creative set pieces that elevate the film well above its predecessors. It’s a franchise reinvention that doesn’t just go bigger—it goes smarter. From the high-octane prison breakout to the tension-filled finale in Mumbai, this fourth entry proves that there’s still plenty of gas left in the IMF tank.

A major highlight of this instalment is the addition of Jeremy Renner as William Brandt. Rather than just slotting him in as a generic action sidekick, the film takes time to flesh him out with an emotionally weighted backstory that ties directly into Ethan Hunt’s past. His guilt, secrecy, and inner conflict create a layered dynamic between him and Ethan that pays off throughout the film. Brandt’s reserved nature and tactical mind add something new to the team, and Renner delivers the role with quiet intensity and surprising vulnerability.

Another major win is the return of Simon Pegg as Benji, now promoted from tech guy to full-fledged field agent. His presence brings levity without ever undermining the stakes, and his comedic chemistry with Tom Cruise is immediately infectious. Whether nervously bluffing his way through a hallway confrontation or bantering with Ethan about malfunctioning tech, Benji injects warmth and humour into the story. This film marks the beginning of Benji’s rise as a franchise mainstay, and it’s a welcome development that balances the seriousness of IMF missions with genuine personality.

One element I could never quite get behind, however, is the decision to include quick-cut glimpses of the film during the opening credits. While they may appear cryptic on first viewing, they still offer spoilers if you’re paying attention—or worse, revisiting the film. It’s an odd creative choice that feels at odds with the secrecy and twists the series is known for. They did something similar in the opening credits of the first movie, but not in Mission: Impossible 2 or 3—and from Ghost Protocol onward, it seems to have become a recurring element. If you’re diving into Ghost Protocol for the first time, do yourself a favour and look away until the actual story kicks off—it won’t ruin the film, but it might save you a few “wait, didn’t I see that already?” moments.

As for the spycraft, Ghost Protocol doubles down on grounded, clever tech rather than veering into campy territory—something the Bond franchise has occasionally stumbled into (looking at you, invisible car). The digital screen camouflage used in the Kremlin hallway and the photo-snapping contact lens both feel like believable evolutions of real-world espionage tools. There’s a slickness to how the tech is used, always in service of the story, never overwhelming it with unnecessary gadgetry.

Of course, no review of Ghost Protocol is complete without mentioning the legendary Burj Khalifa sequence. Watching Tom Cruise scale the world’s tallest building without CGI trickery is an incredibly tense and thrilling moment—especially if you’re not great with heights.  The sheer commitment to real stunts gives this movie an adrenaline edge, and that sequence alone is worth the price of admission. Later, during the sandstorm chase through Dubai, a stunning overhead shot shows Ethan chasing Hendricks just as the shadow of the storm swallows them—it’s the kind of visual flourish that elevates the entire set piece.

Unfortunately, the villains—Kurt Hendricks and his right-hand man Wistrom—don’t receive the same attention. With limited screen time and thin motivations, they come across more as plot devices than fully realised antagonists. Ving Rhames’ beloved character Luther gets side-lined to a glorified cameo—his 30-second appearance at the end is bittersweet, though his callout of Ethan’s cheesy “Mission accomplished” line is a nice meta wink. It’s a small reminder of the history behind this series and a nod to the fans who’ve stuck with it. All in all, Ghost Protocol is a wildly entertaining entry in the Mission: Impossible saga. It embraces the franchise’s spy-thriller roots while injecting it with blockbuster-sized adrenaline. From Russia to Dubai to India, the globetrotting plot zips along with precision, packed with jaw-dropping action and a team you actually care about. It might not have the strongest villain, and the opening credits choice still baffles me, but these are minor knocks against a film that redefined what a Mission: Impossible movie could be—and laid the groundwork for an even more ambitious future