The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
96
Studio and Year: Paramount - 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 132 minutes
Genre: Action
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English Dolby TrueHD 7.1, French/Spanish/Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, English, Spanish, Portuguese
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Josh Holloway, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Anil Kapoor, Lea Seydoux
Directed by: Brad Bird
Music by: Michael Giacchino
Written by: Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: April 17, 2012
"No plan. No backup. No choice."
Film Synopsis:
Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his elite team (Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg, ) go underground after a bombing of the Kremlin implicates the IMF as international terrorists. While trying to clear the agency's name, the team uncovers a plot to start a nuclear war. Now, to save the world, they must use every high-tech trick in the book..
My Take:
Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, IMF operative Ethan Hunt is disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the President initiates “Ghost Protocol.” Left without any resources or backup, Ethan must find a way to clear his agency’s name while hunting down the mysterious “Cobalt” the man believed to be behind the bombing as well as the orchestrator of a plot to start a nuclear war. To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF agents he does not fully know. The mission has never been more real, more dangerous, or more impossible.
As a film lover I enjoy a variety of movies. I get satisfaction out of classic cinema, romance, comedy, drama and the like. I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for action thrillers. Sitting back and getting lost in a sci-fi action/spy piece like Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is right up my alley and makes for an entertaining bit of escapism. I own the first three installments in the Mission Impossible series on home video. I didn’t bother getting the first two on Blu-ray but picked up MI3 in Blu when it was originally released. I enjoy them all but going into this review my favorite in the series was MI3 with Mission Impossible a close second. Whether you like Tom Cruise or not there is no denying his status as a drawing power at the box office. I tend to like his films and would consider myself a fan. I didn’t get out to the theater to see this one but my son did and he recommended it highly. Well he was right. I thoroughly enjoyed Ghost Protocol. It adheres to the same formula that makes the other films in the series fun to watch. The plot is straight forward and follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they track down “Cobalt” a terrorist that represents a significant global threat.
There is plenty of action, cool gadgets and slick/stylish production elements to go along with a decent screenplay and a snappy pace as dictated by director Brad Bird. Along with Tom Cruise (who does many of his own stunts by the way) I found the cast, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg and Josh Holloway (wish he had a bigger role) that portray the new IMF Team to be right on the money. Pegg returns from MI3, now as a field agent, and adds some complimentary comic relief that isn’t silly or overplayed. It would be safe to say that I like Ghost Protocol as much as any big budget action flick. It’s edgy, fun and contains a couple of defining set pieces that genre fans are sure to appreciate.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for intense sequences of action/violence.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Audio: 100
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 92
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes to Blu-ray Disc from Paramount featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 31 Mbps and lossless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 channel sound that has an average bitrate of 4.3 Mbps.
This is an excellent high definition video presentation that offers impressive transparent imagery. The wide angle shots of the various geographical locations look marvelous. Close ups reveal high level detail that allows the pores, stubble, peach fuzzy hair and subtle variations in the complexions of the cast to be perceivable. The texture on the surfaces of objects is just as defining which give them visibly apparent structure and tangible quality. The chromatic palette is deliberately subdued and held to primary use of black, grays, whites, and blues, with only splashes of deeper secondary hues that give it a cooler emphasis. Colors are cleanly rendered and appear natural overall. This is a high bitrate encoding that delivers superlative image resolution. Black levels and contrast are excellent and visible detail within dark backgrounds and shadows are equally as strong. The video has a gratifying and pristine quality that appears devoid of video related anomalies and artifacts.
Like the video quality the 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD soundtrack doesn’t disappoint. This is an engaging surround mix that utilizes the entire system to create a theater like experience. Sound staging is excellent as both the front and rear channels are seamlessly integrated so that sound effects traverse the room during the large set pieces. Dynamics are energy filled and impact felt with discerning articulation and resolute clarity. This is an aggressive mix that makes regular use of the subwoofer to accentuate its already strong dynamics. The result is that all points of contact seem to resonate with tactile low bass impact. The bombing of the Kremlin, the two car crashes, and the sandstorm are great examples. The quality of the bass is first rate as it is fills the room with clean, hard hitting, and deep resonating low frequency energy. Dialogue has definitive presence, with refining vocal character and excellent room penetration. Kudos to Paramount on this reference quality audio/video presentation that offers demonstration worthy material for those who like to show of their home theater systems.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) Mission Accepted ( 3 segments totaling 47 minutes)
- Suiting ip in Prague
- Heating up in Dubai
- Vancouver Fisticuffs
- (HD) Impossible Missions (11 segments totaling 48 minutes)
- The Russian prison
- Shooting in IMAX
- Art department
- A roll of film
- Life masks
- Stepping into the storm
- The Sandstorm
- Dubai car chase
- Lens on the Burj
- Props
- Composer
- (HD) 8 Deleted scenes (including alternate opening) with optional director commentary
- (HD) Two theatrical trailers
- Bonus DVD
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the fourth installment in the popular film series that stars Tom Cruise as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt. As a fan I looked forward to seeing it and am happy to report that it’s an excellent addition not only to the franchise but the genre as well. It’s edgy, fun and contains a couple of defining set pieces that enhance the thrill factor quite nicely. Speaking of thrilling, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes to Blu-ray via a solid offering from Paramount Home Entertainment that features reference quality high definition video, rip roaring 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD lossless surround sound and a decent assortment of bonus supplements that look behind the scenes at the making of the film. I had a great time with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol which makes for rewarding popcorn entertainment that comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
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JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
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Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
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SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Furman SPR-20i Stable Power Regulator
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
