The MISSION IMPOSSIBLE films make up one of the odder action movie franchises today. Lacking the mythology and gadgetry of James Bond, or the balls to the wall action of the Bourne movies, Mission Impossible bases its appeal mostly on two things. The first, complex and intricate set-pieces. The first MI movie set the bar high by dropping Tom Cruise from the ceiling in a beautifully shot (and sound engineered) heist scene, and a ludicrous helicopter chase through the Chunnel. The second, and by far the weakest of the films, abandoned the formula completely, choosing to rely on repetitive action sequences and story gimmickry instead. Recognizing the franchises' strengths, this time we're treated to Tom Cruise dangling outside of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building, trying to break into a server room twenty stories above them.
Directed by Brad Bird in his live action debut (Bird had previously helmed Pixar home-runs The Incredibles and Ratatouille), there's an elegant realism to the set-pieces that's absent from CGI heavy movies like the Matrix. So when Tom Cruise flings himself from the side of a building through an open window three stories down, there's a feeling of physical heft to Cruise that's absent in most modern movies today. And with that comes a physical poetry and elegance. I found myself nodding in appreciation to the effort and skills of the filmmakers as I watched.
The story itself is thread bare, present only as a skeleton to hang said set-pieces. Cruise, as usual, is joined by a team of able agents. The tech guy who doubles as comic relief (Simon Pegg), the sexy girl (Paula Patton), and the wild card we're not quite so sure about(Jeremy Renner). Cruise's co-stars are likable and charismatic enough to fulfils their roles, but it's the villains where MI4 really loses it's paniche. It's not until the very last action sequence because of story contrivance and confusing casting that it becomes clear there were two villains all along.
But MI has always found itself lacking in the story department. Unfortunately, when the action sequences fail to live up to the hype the result can be an interminable slog, IE: MI:2. When it works, the results can be dazzling. By the end of the movie you might not remember much, but you'll remember holding your breath when it mattered.
