--- title: "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 21 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 21 reviews: 17 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics welcome Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol as an inventive, good-humoured action thriller, with praise concentrated on Brad Bird’s direction and the Burj Khalifa climb. That sequence earns approval even from several less enthusiastic reviews, which find its suspense more persuasive than the surrounding story. Tom Cruise’s physical commitment, the stronger emphasis on teamwork and Simon Pegg’s comic contribution also draw praise. The gadgets and the agents’ need to improvise give the action much of its appeal. Reservations centre on a thin, sometimes confused plot, an unmemorable villain and limited character development. Some critics find the later stretches slower or the succession of challenges repetitive, though most consider the set pieces sufficient compensation. The spread is broad: Collider particularly values the ensemble and improvised solutions, while Digital Spy finds the film flat, its humour misjudged and its thrills insufficiently sustained. ## Empire — Nick de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2011. The dizzyingly brilliant Burj Khalifa action sequence is the main attraction and pure popcorn cinema. The film has a refreshingly light touch and focus on team play that keeps it fun, though the plot and villain are stale. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review/) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. This is a gripping rejuvenation of the series that is inventive, relentless and tension-packed. The amazing spectacle of Cruise dangling off the Burj Khalifa tower is highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-aejimt/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2011. The film is arguably the strongest in the series, with impressive set pieces and cheeky brio from director Brad Bird. The bravura Burj Khalifa scaling sequence is the standout feat of tense suspense filmmaking. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/5035420.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2011. The fourth Mission: Impossible is an efficient and effective thriller that gains extra comic dimension from Simon Pegg's scene-stealing performance. It delivers solid entertainment with standout gadgetry and a breathtaking Burj Khalifa sequence, though it sags slightly in later scenes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/dec/22/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 December 2011. Bird's zippy caper succeeds by focusing on a surrogate family of agents working as a team, delivering fast-paced globe-trotting thrills and spectacular set pieces like the Burj Khalifa sequence. Minor disappointments include underdeveloped backstories but it remains thrilling blockbuster entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The film looks far better than it sounds, with spectacular action sequences in Moscow and especially the vertiginous Burj Khalifa stunt that is the highlight. Enough gadgets, chases and set pieces compensate for the thin story and two-dimensional characters. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review-7428154.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2011. The review commends Brad Bird's stylish live-action debut and the film's visual flair in IMAX sequences, crediting Tom Cruise's unwavering commitment for making the action believable. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-dec-16-la-et-mission-impossible-20111216-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2011. The critic praises the film's standout action sequences, especially the vertiginous Burj Khalifa climb, and highlights the strong ensemble performances from Cruise, Pegg, Patton and Renner. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-2011) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2011. Festival review. The critic finds spectacular action in striking international locales but notes the repetitive challenges and villain plot. Brad Bird's live-action debut handles the format well, with strong set pieces like the Russian prison escape and Burj Khalifa climb standing out. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-film-review-271129/) ## The Independent Rating ***. 23 December 2011. The critic had a surprisingly good time with this high-octane fourth outing, praising the quality of the stunts and Cruise showing himself as a team player rather than a solo act. The Burj Khalifa climbing sequence stands out as thrilling and stomach-lurching, though the film is full of absurdities. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-david-fincher-156-mins-18-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-133-mins-brad-bird-12a-6280578.html) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 December 2011. The critic highlights the film's humorous take on imperfect gadgets and stunts under Brad Bird's direction, along with its unexpected sincerity and Tom Cruise's evident enjoyment. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/making-missions-possible-since-1776) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2011. The review notes the film's return to high-stakes action basics with Tom Cruise's committed stunt work and Brad Bird's self-aware direction, while acknowledging the familiar nonsensical plot. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/movies/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review.html) ## Little White Lies — Matt Bochenski Rating 4/3/2. 26 December 2011. The critic finds the film flat and inert overall despite its ambitions. The vertigo-inducing Burj Khalifa climb stands out as the thrilling high point. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 13 December 2011. It is an enjoyable but unambitious action movie that fails to deliver character or heart. The dizzyingly effective Burj Khalifa sequence in IMAX is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-1) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2011. Festival review. The review praises the jaw-dropping early set pieces and inventive direction by Brad Bird but finds the film loses momentum in the later stretches despite strong individual sequences. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-1117946718/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 15 December 2011. The critic praises Brad Bird for delivering the best Mission: Impossible yet with bone-crunching action, fleet-footed pacing, and a terrific ensemble that makes it a team movie. He singles out the brilliant gadgets and set pieces, especially how plans go wrong forcing improvisation. [Read the review](https://collider.com/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review/) ## Paste — Dan Kaufman Rating 9.0. 15 December 2011. Calls it the best entry in the franchise and one of the best action movies in recent years, highlighting the thrilling Burj Khalifa sequence as the centerpiece worth the price of admission, and the sense of fun and strong performances. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2011. The critic calls the film a rousing gasp machine that revives the flagging franchise with nonstop jolts and thrills under Brad Bird's direction. Bird's animation background shines in the tangible action sequences, particularly the Burj Khalifa climb, making the effects feel real and the series relevant again. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/mission-impossible-matters-again-ghost-protocol-33717/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 9 December 2011. The critic praises the film's exhilarating action sequences, especially the Burj Khalifa climb, and Brad Bird's assured direction that brings urgency, silence for tension, and an ensemble focus. It notes some niggles with length and gadgets but calls it a strong, enjoyable improvement on the previous entry. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review/) ## /Film — Germain Lussier Rating 8/10. 13 December 2011. The review praises the nonstop, high-octane action sequences directed by Brad Bird that advance plot and character while balancing levity and heart. It notes the film's simple plot is elevated by inventive gadgets and stunts but finds the repetitive 'everything works out' structure slightly tiring. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/518934/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review-bad-ass-action-brad-bird-style/) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2011. The critic finds the film surprisingly flat and low-key, hampered by a confused narrative, messy script, and lack of sustained thrills or character depth despite strong set pieces and IMAX spectacle. It criticizes the tone, comic relief, and overall execution as a disappointment. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a355871/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md