Hi there, action-movie fanatics! If you’ve been on the edge of your seat watching Tom Cruise execute his thrilling missions as Ethan Hunt for over two decades, this article is just for you. Let’s rank the iconic Mission Impossible series from least to most impressive.
Key takeaways:
– Mission: Impossible II, despite some setbacks, introduced Cruise as an action hero and holds its own memorable action sequences.
– Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation marked the debut of Director Christopher McQuarrie and brought Rebecca Ferguson’s character into the mix.
– Ghost Protocol and Fallout offered epic stunts, often defining the series, whereas the Burj Khalifa scaling stunt remains a fan-favorite.
– Dead Reckoning, despite being a box office disappointment, set unprecedented benchmarks with its futuristic AI antagonist.
– The first Mission Impossible was appreciated for its resemblance to the original TV show format, offering simpler action and a fair introduction to Ethan Hunt.
– The third installment is considered the best, balancing drama, romance, and action seamlessly, with Cruise delivering his best performance as Hunt.
The Rankings:
7. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
While often termed the least impressive of the series, Mission: Impossible II managed to charm many with its action sequences, well-led by Director John Woo, transforming our protagonist into a full-blown action figure. Thanks to Hans Zimmer’s brilliant score and Thandie Newton’s excellent role as Hunt’s love interest, this movie had its high points.
6. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
Although fifth in our ranking, don’t be fooled into thinking Rogue Nation was bad. On the contrary, this film introduced us to Ilsa Faust, Rebecca Ferguson’s character, and Director Christopher McQuarrie gave us a peek at his vision, leading to more spectacular sequels.
5. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
This movie brought us a heart-stopping stunt—Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa. Despite a somewhat anti-climactic ending and an excess of characters, Ghost Protocol underlined the series as a must-watch on the big screen, thanks to director Brad Bird’s use of IMAX sequences.
4. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
The movie featured some outstanding action sequences and brought in a formidable antagonist in Henry Cavill’s character. The climactic helicopter battle and the emotional sequence involving Michelle Monaghan’s character, Julia, stood out in this captivating action-filled ride.
3. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
Despite being a box office disappointment, the movie delivered thrilling action sequences against an AI called “The Entity”. Hayley Atwell was a fantastic addition to the series, and Dead Reckoning, albeit with an unresolved storyline, provided undeniable entertainment.
2. Mission: Impossible (1996)
The original Mission Impossible was a tribute to its namesake TV show, introducing Ethan Hunt in a much simpler, realistic light. Although not action-packed, it will always be remembered for its impeccable vault break-in scene, orchestrated by director Brian De Palma.
1. Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Despite poor financial performance, the third installment boasted Cruise’s best appearance as Hunt. A perfect blend of drama, romance, and action, it showed Ethan’s life beyond the realm of danger. The captivating bridge shootout, coupled with Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character as the franchise’s best villain, rendered this movie the pick of the lot.
Wrapping Up
Each Mission Impossible movie offers a unique flavor of action, intertwined with gripping storylines. Whether it was the introduction of Cruise as an action hero, breathtaking stunts, the portrayal of strong antagonists, or Ethan’s personal life, the series never stopped entertaining us. What’s your take on these rankings? Share your views in the comments!
