My take: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

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Title: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc / Two Disc Set
Video: 1080p / AVC
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Run time: 133 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Region Coding: Region Free

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt
Paula Patton as Jane Carter
Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn
Jeremy Renner as William Brandt
Michael Nyqvist as Kurt Hendricks
Vladimir Mashkov as Anatoly Sidorov
Samuli Edelmann as Wistrom
Directed by Brad Bird

After directing Ratatouille, The Incredibles, The Iron Giant it is no surprise that Brad Bird has filled the Mission: Impossible shoes just right. Bird intended to put together a bang up action film with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and that is exactly what you would hope for, but not expect with the fourth film of a franchise that is now nearly 16 years old. The main reason this franchise continues to work so well is Tom Cruise's ability to nail the Ethan Hunt character each and every time. With the added talent of Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton it's no wonder this was one of the highest grossing action films in recent years.

Picking up a few years after the last franchise's installment we discover that an important document of importance is nearly in IMF's grasp. When IMF accidentally loses the document to an assassin, which happens to contain Russian nuclear launch codes, it us up to Ethan and his new team to track down the original codes in the Kremlin before the document containing the codes falls into the wrong hands. Before the team can accomplish their mission they realize that the man who wants the codes even more than they do (Kendricks) is managing to stay one step ahead of them. Kendricks not only intends buy the document from the assassin, but he also intends to wage his own war so that there can be peace.

Everything seems straight forward until an unforeseen complication at the Kremlin causes the president to issue Ghost Protocol for IMF, that is, the team must get the nuclear launch codes back on their own without any assistance from the US government. With the clock ticking and Kendrick's plan always a step ahead will this rogue IMF team led by Ethan Hunt be able to stop him before it's too late?

I honestly have no reservations about calling Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol the best action film of 2011. I was entertained from start to finish as there is always something to keep you on the edge of your seat. The script is well crafted, the acting superb, the plot mostly believable. If you enjoyed the first three films in this series do not hesitate to pick this up on Blu-ray. Due to violence this is not suitable for younger children.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol explodes onto Blu-ray with a perfect transfer. Despite not having the IMAX sequences, which were presented theatrically, the film shines from start to finish. Colors are well saturated and flesh tones accurate without any causes for complaint. There is a fine veil of grain that is visible enough to remind the viewer that they are indeed watching a film. Fine detail is top notch as well as every dark hair as every texture is clearly visible. There is also no evidence of DNR, EE, or compression artifacts whatsoever. I would have liked it if Bird had released an IMAX version, but make no mistake that this release of Ghost Protocol is flawless in itself. My own screen captures of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol can be found below.

http://s14.postimage.org/9lqmm0m9p/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h52m45s58.png (http://postimage.org/image/9lqmm0m9p/)http://s14.postimage.org/5f5s6omnx/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h54m27s116.png (http://postimage.org/image/5f5s6omnx/)http://s14.postimage.org/7xrh7d8e5/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h55m33s6.png (http://postimage.org/image/7xrh7d8e5/)http://s14.postimage.org/43y0y7r25/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h56m32s76.png (http://postimage.org/image/43y0y7r25/)http://s14.postimage.org/oqmqjjagt/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h57m11s212.png (http://postimage.org/image/oqmqjjagt/)http://s14.postimage.org/t11ef4fjx/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h57m22s67.png (http://postimage.org/image/t11ef4fjx/)http://s14.postimage.org/ej4774o8t/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_08h58m14s78.png (http://postimage.org/image/ej4774o8t/)http://s14.postimage.org/gb27z5dx9/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h07m07s27.png (http://postimage.org/image/gb27z5dx9/)http://s14.postimage.org/bdone1by5/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h07m42s126.png (http://postimage.org/image/bdone1by5/)http://s14.postimage.org/6ucesiu2l/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h08m27s62.png (http://postimage.org/image/6ucesiu2l/)http://s14.postimage.org/p0zazzvel/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h09m39s19.png (http://postimage.org/image/p0zazzvel/)http://s14.postimage.org/to5d1rirh/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h11m54s86.png (http://postimage.org/image/to5d1rirh/)http://s14.postimage.org/kuegknvst/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h12m10s238.png (http://postimage.org/image/kuegknvst/)http://s14.postimage.org/3v5i5ekl9/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h12m45s84.png (http://postimage.org/image/3v5i5ekl9/)http://s14.postimage.org/neeosi8ql/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h13m17s145.png (http://postimage.org/image/neeosi8ql/)http://s14.postimage.org/l0wr1hubh/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h15m23s132.png (http://postimage.org/image/l0wr1hubh/)http://s14.postimage.org/njig26g1p/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h16m07s53.png (http://postimage.org/image/njig26g1p/)http://s14.postimage.org/wft8646nx/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h16m25s236.png (http://postimage.org/image/wft8646nx/)http://s14.postimage.org/ta8mfwo1p/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h17m08s157.png (http://postimage.org/image/ta8mfwo1p/)http://s14.postimage.org/4i908o6v1/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h17m35s167.png (http://postimage.org/image/4i908o6v1/)http://s14.postimage.org/yo7engdrx/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h18m02s176.png (http://postimage.org/image/yo7engdrx/)http://s14.postimage.org/5n32e1tbx/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h18m37s12.png (http://postimage.org/image/5n32e1tbx/)http://s14.postimage.org/5bq7f129p/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h21m16s75.png (http://postimage.org/image/5bq7f129p/)http://s14.postimage.org/5d058g43h/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h21m30s215.png (http://postimage.org/image/5d058g43h/)http://s14.postimage.org/3mh46ymkd/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h21m45s103.png (http://postimage.org/image/3mh46ymkd/)http://s14.postimage.org/rsrri38ot/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h22m27s14.png (http://postimage.org/image/rsrri38ot/)http://s14.postimage.org/432bteabh/vlcsnap_2012_04_18_09h22m50s244.png (http://postimage.org/image/432bteabh/)

Just when you think you've seen perfection with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol you realize that you're also hearing it. Released theatrically in Dolby 7.1 Paramount has graciously opted to provide a bombastic Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track with this Blu-ray. Dialogue is well prioritized in the center channel even during louder sequences without ever having issues whatsoever. The fronts and surrounds are constantly used for the film's engaging score and to make it even better the directional effects are flawless. There are moments when you feel like you're on the exterior of a building hundreds of feet in the air or that an explosion is enveloping you from all angles. The LFE usage is absolutely insane without ever drowning out other sounds. If you have fragile items laying around I suggest securing them before cranking this one up. To put it simply this is undoubtedly the best Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mixthat I have heard on the format with TRON: Legacy still holding the title of best DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix.

The general release of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes with an extremely average set of supplements. However, a limited edition with an additional BD-25 was released and is exclusive to Best Buy. The limited edition contains over an hour of additional material. The extras on the general release are still worth watching, but if you're a die hard fan then I suggest picking up the 3 disc version from Best Buy.

This general release contains 15 minutes of deleted scenes as well as four featurettes, which focus on key filming sequences, props, and other filming challenges. In total these four feautrettes make up about 35 minutes worth of material. Every supplement is presented in 1080p. There's also a DVD version of the film on a second disc and an Ultraviolet Digital Copy as well.

Movie: 8/10
PQ: 10/10
AQ: 10/10
Supplements: 5/10
Final Word: A Must Own

As always thanks for reading folks.

Thx GN, I've been on the fence about buying this one but, based on your review, it's surely a buy now !

Thx GN, I've been on the fence about buying this one but, based on your review, it's surely a buy now !

No problem Rizz. Be prepared to be blown away.:thumbsup:

not to often you see movies released with Doubly TrueHD let alone 7.1!

not to often you see movies released with Doubly TrueHD let alone 7.1!

Lets hope more studios do the same.

not to often you see movies released with Doubly TrueHD let alone 7.1!

That's because it was recorded in Dolby 7.1 just like Super 8 and War Horse.

Thanks for the review HD, and again, right on the money.
I watched this last night and it was excellent, in video/audio quality, acting and entertainment value.
IMO. a must own for most collections.

Thanks for the review HD, and again, right on the money.
I watched this last night and it was excellent, in video/audio quality, acting and entertainment value.
IMO. a must own for most collections.

Thanks very much. I wasn't this entertained by a pure action film in quite a while until I watched this one.

Thanks very much. I wasn't this entertained by a pure action film in quite a while until I watched this one.

I agree. There seemed to be no lulls. I hadn't seen the first three, but after watching this, I will.

I agree. There seemed to be no lulls. I hadn't seen the first three, but after watching this, I will.

The original is just as good, 2 is mediocre, and 3 is decent. I'd put the original and Ghost Protocol on the same level for sure.

The original is just as good, 2 is mediocre, and 3 is decent. I'd put the original and Ghost Protocol on the same level for sure.
Thanks for the heads up. I probably should have watched the first three before Ghost Protocol.

I have not watched the Ghost Protocol yet. I would rate MI-1as best and MI-3 next best till now.

Forget the story. Go watch it for the blu ray video

For me story is as important as the picture quality.

Thank you HD Goofnut!

I think this one was darn near close to being just as good as the first MI

Hay HD Goofnut, i am now a proud owner of "Mission Impossible 4" 3 disc limited edition. Just bought it lately and can relate to every single positive comment on this thread. I watched this movie on I-MAX when it was released last year, but experiencing it on HD up close takes it to a different level. Brad Bird along with Gavin Hood are now, my top rated directors for action thrillers.
Eagerly Awaiting "Mission Impossible 5"

Thnx for the review in HD. I watch all parts of Mission impossible. owesum acting by Tom Cruise. He is my favourite hero.

Thnx for the review in HD. I watch all parts of Mission impossible. owesum acting by Tom Cruise. He is my favourite hero.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/IMRIZZO/1A%20SMILEYS/trollspray.gif

good take on it.

i enjoyed the movie

I saw this in theaters and just watched this on Sunday. I'd say this one is my second favorite Mission Impossible movie after the first one. The second and third were very good but I feel like those two are pretty far off from this and the first.

One part of your review I found interesting is your video review section where you say
There is a fine veil of grain that is visible enough to remind the viewer that they are indeed watching a film.
When I was watching this I didn't even notice any of that at all. Watching movies for the purposes of a proper review must be pretty tough. Besides that, sometimes I'm glad I'm not a videophile. :) I know some viewers have very high standards for their movie-watching experiences.

As for the audio, I don't have a surround back speakers but in your opinion, am I missing out on a whole lot of good stuff by only having a 5.1 speaker system? I am pretty sure the surround backs get blended into the surrounds but I'm sure a 7.1 system sounds much better compared to a 5.1 if the soundtrack calls for it.

As you said, this is a must-own blu-ray. Thanks for writing this up.

I saw this in theaters and just watched this on Sunday. I'd say this one is my second favorite Mission Impossible movie after the first one. The second and third were very good but I feel like those two are pretty far off from this and the first.

One part of your review I found interesting is your video review section where you say

When I was watching this I didn't even notice any of that at all. Watching movies for the purposes of a proper review must be pretty tough. Besides that, sometimes I'm glad I'm not a videophile. :) I know some viewers have very high standards for their movie-watching experiences.

As for the audio, I don't have a surround back speakers but in your opinion, am I missing out on a whole lot of good stuff by only having a 5.1 speaker system? I am pretty sure the surround backs get blended into the surrounds but I'm sure a 7.1 system sounds much better compared to a 5.1 if the soundtrack calls for it.

As you said, this is a must-own blu-ray. Thanks for writing this up.

Since there are quite a few native 7.1 mixes on BD now it is definitely worth the investment.