Pietro's Book Review: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL - SHOOTING DIARY

If you are a fan of this newly released film, if indulging in behind-the-scenes imagery enhances your movie going experience, if masterful photography and death defying stunt work piques your interest, then this book will not disappoint. Being that I have a soft spot for all three aforementioned topics, I can't image there being a better Mission Impossible movie companion book than this.

In the past few months since we have expanded our coverage of movie tie-ins, particularly 'Making of' movie, television and video game books, I have learned to appreciate the work that goes into filming/animating/creating the world of modern cinema. Out of all the editions I've been privy to, the Ghost Protocol Shooting Diary is by far the best. Each image chronicles an occurrence of a specific production day from conceptualization to the culmination of principal photography. The captions, which explain the events you see in detail, are perfectly placed on opposing pages from the images so they do not distract from the wonderful photography provided by David James.

This book allows you to witness the filmmakers' journey as they trek across Prague, Dubai and Vancouver creating controlled chaos. A few official stills from the film itself interlace with never before seen set photos -- one of my favorites include director Brad Bird looking on nervously as a major stunt is tested, while another shows Tom Cruise wielding a camera rig -- that offer candid exposition to what has become one of the most popular action movies of 2011. The icing on the proverbial cake is the foreword provided by none other than the film's star himself, and you can see just how thankful he is of everyone who was involved bringing this movie together. I would gladly pay triple the asking price for a book as thoughtfully put together as this; for the price tag it carries I recommend every one pick up a copy.