The Making of an Action Phenomenon
It’s hard to believe, but Tom Cruise has been defying gravity and logic as Ethan Hunt for 25 years. He first stepped into the role in 1996, marking the beginning of a franchise that would redefine the action genre. With six films under its belt, Mission: Impossible has offered audiences a rollercoaster ride of nail-biting stunts and intense espionage.
“It’s been 25 years since Tom Cruise first slipped into the role of Impossible Mission Force agent Ethan Hunt for the first entry in what has become one of the biggest action franchises in cinema history, and the world’s biggest film star hasn’t looked back since.”
Let’s delve into the DNA of this franchise, with a definitive ranking of all its movies, to honor the quarter-century legacy of Ethan Hunt’s impossible missions.
Cruise Control: The Man Behind Ethan Hunt
Tom Cruise isn’t just the face of Mission: Impossible; he’s the pulse. He brings a level of dedication and daredevilry that few can match. With at least two more films confirmed, both directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Cruise isn’t slowing down.
“And Cruise shows no signs of letting up any time soon, with at least two more films already confirmed – both directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed the two most recent instalments of the franchise.”
The Rankings: A Symphony of Espionage and Action
Mission: Impossible III – Good But Forgettable
“Mission: Impossible III is a perfectly good movie but despite the presence of one of the franchise’s best villains in Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Owen Davian, it’s the one that sticks out the least.”
In the franchise’s third installment, Ethan Hunt tries to balance a personal life with Michelle Monaghan playing Julia Meade, his love interest. While the movie has its moments, such as the Vatican City sequence, it’s the least memorable in the series.
Mission: Impossible 2 – So Bad It’s Good?
“This is many people’s pick for the absolute worst in the series, and the reasons for that are understandable: it’s easily the most preposterous (and clearly the cheesiest) entry in the franchise.”
Directed by John Woo, the second film is often criticized for its over-the-top nature. Yet, its campiness and ludicrous lines, like those delivered by Anthony Hopkins, make it a guilty pleasure for some.
Mission: Impossible – The Origin Story
“Helmed by virtuoso director Brian De Palma, this film has a greater emphasis on espionage and suspense, on twists and turns, than it does on bombastic action set pieces.”
The original movie set the tone for the series, delivering a balanced mix of suspense and action. Its iconic scenes, such as Cruise hanging in mid-air, remain etched in the collective memory of audiences.
Ghost Protocol – The Series Finds Its Footing
“It’s hard to think of a more iconic stunt in any of the films than that which sees Tom Cruise attempt to scale the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.”
Ghost Protocol is a landmark in the Mission: Impossible series, introducing a coherent identity and setting a new standard for action set pieces, most notably with Cruise’s Burj Khalifa stunt.
Fallout – High-Octane Brilliance
“The most recent entry in the franchise would no doubt top many people’s rankings and it’s easy to see why: from the first minute to the last, this film is absolutely full-throttle.”
Fallout takes everything to another level, from Henry Cavill’s outstanding role as the treacherous August Walker to its high-stakes helicopter scenes. Its only drawback? A somewhat bloated runtime.
Rogue Nation – The Best of Both Worlds
“Rogue Nation also introduces the series’ most intriguing supporting character in Rebecca Ferguson’s enigmatic agent Ilsa Faust.”
Rogue Nation sits at the pinnacle, masterfully blending high-octane action with espionage thrills. Its opera house scene is a cinematic marvel, and it introduces the series’ most compelling character, Ilsa Faust.
What’s Next for Mission: Impossible?
So what lies ahead for this 25-year-old franchise? More mind-bending stunts and intense action sequences, no doubt. With two more films on the horizon, we can only imagine how Tom Cruise will continue to raise the bar. After all, it’s not called “Impossible” for nothing.
“To celebrate the continued success of Mission: Impossible we’ve decided to mark the 25-year anniversary with a special ranking: our mission, if we chose to accept it, was to rank all six films from worst to best.”
Watching Mission: Impossible Chronologically
For those new to the franchise or looking to revisit Ethan Hunt’s daring escapades, watching the movies in chronological order is simple. Streaming platforms like Sky Cinema and NOW TV offer the first five installments, while Fallout is available on various VOD platforms.
- Mission: Impossible (1996)
- Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
- Mission: Impossible III (2006)
- Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
- Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
- Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
So gear up, because the mission is far from over.
