It is perhaps due to his inexperience in working with human actors, that Ghost Protocol’s, characters lack the necessary emotional impact, even though it excels in other areas. In fact — and I can’t believe I am saying this — for inspiration, Bird had to only look back as far as Fast Five (2011), an action film which created actual emotional stake for its characters.
The ‘framed spy out to clear his name’ plot of the film, similar to the Jason Bourne series, feels tired and isn’t particularly noteworthy here. Fortunately, the cast of the film, including Tom Cruise (framed team leader Ethan hunt), Jeremy Renner (William Brandt, the agent with a secret), the lovely Paula Patton (vengeance seeking agent Jane Carter) and the always amusing Simon Pegg (inexperienced field operative Benji Dunn) do provide strong performances. However, regrettably, not all of the acting is top notch: Anil Kapoor (Brij Nath), overdoes his comic role as a rich and seductive playboy, and comes across more as a rapist than a provocative ladies man.
Having said that, Ghost Protocol, is a very slick looking and highly energetic film, which features some compelling action sequences, including a brilliant vertigo inducing climb by Tom Crusie (who is said to have performed his own stunts), on one of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The movie also features the signature facemasks, sleek futuristic cars and hi-tech gadgets, all of which have now become staples of the franchise, making Ghost Protocol a visually stimulating thrill. Ghost Protocol is a throwaway film, quite similar to the cool disposable facemasks, a highly efficient technical marvel but still limited to one-use at best.
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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@SSK:
Anil Kapoor was brilliant in the TV series 24, playing the president of a fictional country. Here, he was pretty poor. My view of his performance has nothing to do with his nationality. :)
@SSK: You are taking it wrong. The writer is implying that the Indian character somehow ended up playing more negative than was actually planned. I would go one step further. The role design was slightly biased and subtly conveyed that anything non-American is 'not cool enough'.
Stupid analysis.
Funny how the only actor u had a problem with is Indian! At least try to keep ur animosity with indians, out of writing film reviews!!!!
Good analysis. I also agree with you. Somehow, with all the talk about 'secret', they still failed to create an emotional impact. If it were not for the comedy (which by the way was a good addition), the movie would have seemed more like robots in action. But as a whole, no doubt, the movie was certainly a good thriller.