Tom Cruise and Ethan Hunt are virtually identical characters in terms of their determination to accomplish impossible tasks, their ability to problem solve quickly with a smile, and their impeccable running technique. The Mission: Impossible franchise, which began in 1996, is currently more successful than ever, and this can be attributed to the inherent enjoyment of spy adventures. Additionally, Cruise’s refusal to rely on CGI stunts and his dedication to performing his own daring feats contribute to the appeal of the series. However, the consistently high quality of the franchise can largely be attributed to Cruise’s role as a filmmaker, producer, and leading man. One of his greatest abilities is his knack for attracting the right talent at the right time to tell the perfect story. In celebration of the release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 in theaters this week, we have ranked all the M:I films from worst to best.
7. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000):
Mission: Impossible 2 stands apart from the rest of the series, but it adheres to the franchise’s tradition of reinventing itself with each installment. This film was directed by John Woo, the Hong Kong action master who had previously achieved success with his English-language film Face/Off in 1997. If audiences had expected the balletic gunplay and overblown melodrama of Face/Off, they might have had a more enjoyable experience. However, despite the trailers for M:I 2 featuring Cruise’s long hair dramatically flowing in slow motion to a nü-metal soundtrack, viewers likely anticipated something similar to the first film. Unfortunately, the sequel fails to meet these expectations, with an unengaging villain (Dougray Scott) and a tepid rehash of Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. The film could have overcome these issues if it hadn’t abandoned the team dynamic that sets the M:I franchise apart from other spy adventures like James Bond and Jason Bourne. Although Ethan technically leads a small group including Ving Rhames’ Luthor and John Polson’s Billy Baird, they have minimal screen time compared to Cruise. Furthermore, Thandie Newton’s love interest character fails to make a strong impression. The film also relies too heavily on gunfights, which feels out of place in a franchise that primarily focuses on outsmarting the enemy. While Woo’s style is appreciated, his excessive use of slow-motion and overly calculated action make the sequel feel unnecessarily burdensome.
6. Mission: Impossible 3 (2006):
Even the most ardent defenders of J.J. Abrams would admit that his first film, M:I 3, feels like a lengthy episode of his previous ABC spy series Alias. However, in comparison to the lethargic style of John Woo, Abrams injects much-needed energy into the franchise. The film also introduces a stronger emotional component that was lacking in the first two installments. Ethan gets married to Julia, a civilian nurse portrayed by Michelle Monahan, who becomes a target due to her husband’s dangerous profession. The film opens with a shocking sequence where Ethan, portrayed by Cruise in his most emotionally charged performance yet, faces the possibility of losing Julia as the villain, Owen Davian, played masterfully by Philip Seymour Hoffman, counts down to her potential demise. M:I 3 excels in terms of pacing, quickly establishing Ethan as a more relatable character before throwing him into a series of intense action scenes, even though Abrams’ close-up camera work can be claustrophobic at times. Standout moments include a heist at the Vatican and a thrilling bridge assault. Hoffman’s portrayal of Davian is exceptional in its casual cruelty; he doesn’t deliver grand speeches because he cares deeply about a cause, but rather in short, threatening bursts, showcasing his fatigue with the existence of heroes in a world driven by opportunism rather than ideals. While it may lack the franchise’s signature extended setpieces, M:I 3 is a scrappy contender.
5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015):
The fifth Mission film, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, feels more like a compilation of the franchise’s greatest hits than a distinctive entry. However, this is not true for the entire duration of the film. The first and third acts brilliantly capture the essence of the series, with McQuarrie drawing inspiration from Carol Reed’s The Third Man to create a sense of constant tension and betrayal in the streets and alleys. One standout sequence involves Hunt and Benji trying to locate a nemesis at the Vienna State Opera, where McQuarrie expertly utilizes seductive shadow play and silhouettes, reminiscent of the first movie. However, the director’s old-school style clashes with the second act set in Casablanca, which is undeniably entertaining but lacks the same gravity and maturity as the surrounding sequences. The middle section, featuring a daring car chase and bike run, feels directly inspired by Brad Bird’s larger-than-life action in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. As a result, Rogue Nation struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout. Although some argue that the final act becomes convoluted, we believe it delivers on the promises made earlier in the film. Overall, McQuarrie’s first entry in the series is skillfully executed and ambitious, we just wish it maintained its nighttime stealth atmosphere throughout.
4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011):
Ghost Protocol, the fourth film in the series, marked the first time McQuarrie contributed to the writing process, although he remained uncredited for his on-set revisions. According to Cruise himself, this was the film that finally nailed the formula. While we respectfully disagree, as demonstrated by its placement on this list, Ghost Protocol is undeniably spectacular and boasts some of the most intricately choreographed action sequences in the franchise. Director Brad Bird, known for his work in animation on films like The Incredibles and Ratatouille, brings a unique understanding of spatial relationships to the action scenes, resulting in crystal clear yet creatively executed sequences. No other action film can compete with the inventive use of a large projector screen to create a faux hallway in the Kremlin or the impeccable geography during the climactic chase scene in the automated parking carousel. However, the film is hindered by its weak villains, who are rarely seen or given meaningful dialogue, diminishing their overall impact. Nevertheless, Ghost Protocol features one of the franchise’s greatest moments with Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This breathtaking sequence, performed for real without the use of CGI, is accompanied by a clever double heist inside the building and a thrilling car chase through a desert sandstorm. In many ways, this 25-minute sequence is the pinnacle of the entire franchise.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
