The $4.7 Billion Spy Franchise That Was Just “Okay” Until Movie #4

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Successful movie franchises that last a long time usually fall into one of two patterns. They either consistently receive negative reviews despite being popular with audiences, or they start out well-received but become progressively worse with each new film.

It’s unusual for a movie series to start as merely okay and then become truly exceptional with each new installment. Typically, sequels are disappointing, but this franchise is a remarkable exception. Over nearly thirty years, it has grown into a major force in filmmaking, proving that a series can actually improve over time.

The First Mission: Impossible Movie Is Good, But Never Great

If you mention Mission: Impossible to someone today, they’ll likely picture Tom Cruise running at full speed. The series has become a major part of pop culture and a strong example of why people still go to the movies. However, it’s often forgotten that the first three Mission: Impossible films weren’t particularly memorable.

The first Mission: Impossible film, released in 1996, was a really fun and exciting spy movie. It had a clever premise, memorable action scenes – especially the break-in at Langley – and the action still feels fresh and exciting even now.

Tom Cruise’s initial outing as Ethan Hunt wasn’t a strong start. The character of Hunt felt underdeveloped, simply fitting the mold of a spy who’d been betrayed, and the only supporting character who really made an impression was Ving Rhames as Luther, thanks to his natural charm.

While the story of the first Mission: Impossible wasn’t particularly groundbreaking or logical, the biggest issue was its inconsistent style. Director Brian De Palma seemed torn between updating the classic TV series and creating a James Bond film reminiscent of Timothy Dalton’s portrayal. It certainly didn’t feel like the start of the massive $4.7 billion franchise it would become (according to TheNumbers).

After A Poor Sequel, Mission: Impossible 3 Became The Franchise’s Prototype

Compared to the first Mission: Impossible film, Mission: Impossible II isn’t very enjoyable. While Tom Cruise seemed more comfortable in his role, and the movie deserves some credit for trying to move away from the feel of the original TV show, it just didn’t quite work. The film heavily relied on a romantic connection between Cruise and Thandiwe Newton that wasn’t believable, and Newton was stuck delivering some truly awkward lines.

This sequel didn’t quite capture the magic of the first film. The team didn’t feel as connected, the plot was harder to follow, and Ethan Hunt suddenly becoming a skilled fighter felt out of place. While director John Woo was known for his action expertise, his signature style didn’t quite fit the tone of this particular movie.

When J.J. Abrams took over, Mission: Impossible III helped revitalize the series. It was a significant step up from the second film, with Abrams emphasizing exciting action while also giving the supporting cast a chance to stand out. The new team members – Julia (Michelle Monaghan), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Zhen Lei (Maggie Q) – were much stronger characters than Hunt’s previous helpers, and Philip Seymour Hoffman delivered what many considered the best Mission: Impossible villain up to that time.

With its promise of thrilling action and well-developed characters that viewers could truly care about, Mission: Impossible III essentially set the stage for all the Mission: Impossible films that followed.

Following those earlier films, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol really hit its stride. It established a stronger, ongoing storyline – unlike the first three movies which were mostly standalone – and began to build a consistent cast of characters. Plus, Tom Cruise’s increasingly daring stunts became a major draw for audiences.

The movie business is incredibly competitive, and first impressions matter a lot. Even a dedicated film fan might have initially dismissed the critical success of the Mission: Impossible series after its first three films. However, Ethan Hunt and his team have shown that a franchise can always improve its reputation and win over audiences.

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2025-10-21 18:08