Film4 is set to broadcast a cinematic tour de force tonight, as the channel screens the critically acclaimed spy thriller, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. The film, which many fans and critics consider the pinnacle of the long-running franchise, features some of Tom Cruise's most breathtaking stunts.
A Franchise Reborn with Spectacular Action
Released in 2011, the fourth instalment in the Mission: Impossible series was a monumental success, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film globally that year and setting a new box office record for Tom Cruise at the time. The plot sees the IMF disbanded after being falsely accused of bombing the Kremlin, forcing Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his disavowed team to operate without any support to clear their names.
The film's ensemble cast, including Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton, with supporting turns from Josh Holloway and Léa Seydoux, brought a fresh dynamic to the series. However, the game-changer was the hiring of director Brad Bird, making his live-action debut after his animated success with Pixar's The Incredibles.
The Unforgettable Dubai Sequence
Bird's direction is perhaps best exemplified by the now-legendary Burj Khalifa sequence, where Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt scales the world's tallest building. This heart-stopping stunt, performed largely by Cruise himself, became the film's defining moment and is frequently cited as a benchmark for practical action filmmaking.
Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers highlighting the film's scale and execution. One critic noted the action was "huge and sometimes jaw-dropping", while another declared that the Dubai skyscraper scene alone was "worth the ticket price". Fox News praised its "exotic trip around the world, engaging script, funny dialogue and spectacular stunts".
Audience Acclaim and Lasting Legacy
The film resonated powerfully with audiences, who often regard it as the series' high point. Fan reviews consistently label Ghost Protocol as "the best in the franchise", celebrating its riveting scenes, daring stunts, and the perfect balance of charm and humour from the cast. It is widely seen as the film that cemented the modern, stunt-driven identity of the Mission: Impossible series after the misstep of the second film.
One enthusiastic viewer summarised: "This is where the movies took a turn for the better". Another added, "Ghost Protocol delivers exhilarating spectacle with its daring stunts and sleek cinematography", though some noted the plot could feel secondary to the action.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol airs on Film4 tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm, offering viewers a chance to revisit the film that spectacularly redefined the spy franchise.
