'Mission: Impossible IV': Tom Cruise says Brad Bird is directing. Thoughts?

After much speculation about who would take the helm, now Empire reports that Tom Cruise confirms animation master Brad Bird will direct the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. It’s certainly an interesting decision, considering Bird’s background with movies like The Incredibles and Ratatouille. And I have to say that as a person who’s not deeply invested in the MI franchise, it feels like an inspired choice. It’s boosted my interest level in another Mission: Impossible movie from about 0.2 on a scale of 10 up to near a 3 or — gasp! — a 4. It makes me think the producers might be trying to really shakes things up with this installment, enlisting someone who can bring neat-o things from their very different genre to this one. Then again, it could also just be a big ol’ flop. What do you think? Inspired idea — or future hot mess?

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‘Mission: Impossible IV’: Why Brad Bird should direct it