Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Directed by: Brad Bird Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: December 16, 2011

TRAILER SCORE: 6/10

Thoughts by TSR: I want to like this trailer more than I do. It feels like I should, in that it gives some quick peeks of what’s to come without giving away everything from the film. It’s composed of a bunch of rapidly edited shots that might have gotten me excited for Brad Bird’s first foray into live action, if not for one thing: None of the shots are all that interesting to me.

One reason for this could be that I’m not a huge fan of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Seeing as I have no real investment in the story or characters, not much of the story stuff in the trailer does much for me. Another possible reason is I feel like some of the shots, particularly those in the middle after the Eminem song kicks in, are just too quick. If they were held a few frames longer it might work a bit better.

I sound like I really dislike this trailer, but that’s not entirely accurate. While it doesn't do a whole lot to boost my minimal anticipation, there are things I like. The biggest of which is the cast. No one has much of a chance to shine in this first trailer, but it’s hard to argue with a cast that includes Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Tom Wilkinson, Josh Holloway, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg. One other promising aspect is the action. Much of it is hidden behind the fast editing, but what is there looks good. That said, the stunt on the building at the end is impressive in that Cruise actually performed it, but as a capper to a trailer it doesn’t blow me away.

Ideally this trailer would have done something to get me really excited about Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, making it stand out amongst the other December releases. Instead it simply serves as a reminder that the film exists, and that it boasts a great cast and enough promising action for me to remain optimistic.