Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, the IMF agent and main protagonist in the action-packed Mission: Impossible series.

Now on its fourth sequel since its release fifteen years ago, the movie premieres on IMAX cinemas worldwide. Ghost Protocol is partially shot using IMAX cameras, giving the audience an amazing visual treat. Much like the previous films, Mission: Impossible 4 does not disappoint when it comes to its globetrotting set locations that covers picturesque countries such as Budapest, Russia, Dubai, and India.

With three successful films in the franchise, the fourth instalment was expected to present a bigger, better, and what else: a more impossible plot. But with all the usual wild car chases, gut-wrenching physical confrontations, and endless supply of futuristic gadgets and gizmos in past films, the writers decided to shake things up a bit with what they call 'Ghost Protocol.'

In the film, Ethan is joined by IMF technical field agent Benji Dunn, desk analyst William Brandt, and agent Jane Carter. The team is faced with the daunting mission of preventing a nuclear war between Russia and the U.S.. What makes the story more interesting is that this time around, the team is stripped of all the support from the IMF. With all of them basically disavowed by the organization, Ethan and his team had to discreetly find a way to stop the exchange of nuclear warfare information, tapping only to their limited technology that they balance out with their inherent knowledge and skills. Being cut off from the IMF is certainly a big blow to the team, and as mentioned in the movie, there will be "no safe house, no support, and no extraction." The situation puts the team in a different light, making them more creative and flexible in their plans, proving that they are up to the challenge despite their limited resources.

Perhaps the most amusing and (literally) breath-taking showcase of their creativity and gut is shown in the scenes that took place at Dubai's Burj Khalifa--currently the tallest structure in the world. Ethan had to climb up several floors of the Burj using only a pair of defective gloves which almost cost him his life.  The entire scene of the Burj is a sight to behold, giving the audience a rare glimpse of what there is to see from that height. What's most impressive is that Tom Cruise reportedly did his own stunts in the Burj Khalifa, 130 stories high, despite the initial recommendation of the filmmakers to replicate the exterior of the building and shoot it in a safer setting.

Overall, the movie is a thrill to watch from start to finish as it gives the moviegoers its much-expected adrenaline rush in all its action scenes. From the festive Russian jailbreak in the opening scene to the complicated multi-level car park fight scenes in the finale, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a thrilling flick that does not disappoint. Also, the comical vibe that Dunn injects in numerous scenarios blends surprisingly well with the heaviness of the action-packed nature of the movie.

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol is already screening in Philippine cinemas, a week earlier than the regular screenings in the United States. Screen runs will temporarily be put on hold to give way to Metro Manila Film Festival entries on Christmas Day, December 25.  All foreign films will resume their screenings by the second week of January. For those who cannot wait to watch the movie, only IMAX theatres will continue to screen Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol over the holidays.