Short circuits 4/17: Tom Cruise is on a 'Mission'

The Washington Post
April 16, 2012 at 9:33PM
Jeremy Renner and Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol"
Jeremy Renner and Tom Cruise in "Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol" (Margaret Andrews — Paramount Pictures/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Hand it to Tom Cruise: Even on the cusp of 50, he still does stunts, looks studly in a suit and has perfect hair. "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" possesses the requisite number of expertly choreographed how'd-they-do-that scenes, as well as terrific supporting performances from "Mission: Impossible" veterans and newcomers. Cruise actually can act, especially when he convincingly plays Ethan convincingly playing a Russian general and then engages a Kremlin guard in absurdly clever misdirection. But the frenetic action, gargantuan scale and furious scurryings to save the world take their toll -- on the audience if not the protagonists, who have managed to barely break a sweat. The DVD and Blu-ray (Paramount, $30-$45) include featurettes and deleted scenes.

Also out on Tuesday

Movies

  • "The Divide"
    • "Imax: Born to Be Wild"
      • "7 Below"
        • "Shame"

          TV

          • "American Dad" (Vol. 7)
            • "Bob's Burgers" (Season 1)
              • "Eight Is Enough" (Season 1)
                • "Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials"
                  • "Frozen Planet"
                    • "Ice Road Truckers" (Season 5)
                      • "Meet the Browns" (Season 5)
                        • "Shaun the Sheep: Shear Madness"
                          • "Treme" (Season 2)

                            Blu-ray debuts

                            • "¡Alambrista!"
                              • "The Asphyx"
                                • "Buck Privates"
                                  • "High Road to China"
                                    • "Late Spring"
                                      • "Roadracers"
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