There are still several movies I have yet to see that may make this list, so these posts may continue for the next month or so. Nonetheless, here is part of a series of posts that will highlight 2011 releases that I gave an A+ grade to. It should be noted that release dates are complicated as movies often premiere in film festivals months or years before they hit theaters stateside, so “2011” should be taken liberally. You can see a list of all the movies I watch and rate linked in the description of my Tumblr page.

Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol” isn’t quite among the masterpieces that his animated movies - “The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” and “Ratatouille” - are. However, it’s the best movie a “Mission: Impossible” entry can be expected to be. And then better than that. Brad Bird proves his worth as an excellent live-action director and Tom Cruise is as charismatic and as engaging that he’s been since “War of the Worlds.”

It’s also simply the best action movie in years. Constantly moving, complex enough to be smart, simple enough to be easy to follow, and with some truly incredible action setpieces (The Burj Dubai being the most famous one), it’s a movie for the ages. Jeremy Renner has a strong supporting role and Brad Bird throws in a few clever visual references to JJ Abrams, who produced the movie (and directed the previous installment, which Brad follows with clever ease). Also, Tom Cruise does his own stunts, which is crazy in a non-Scientologist way (though he’s also crazy in that way).