M:I Movies Ranked: You Won't BELIEVE Which One Is #1!

For nearly three decades, Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” series has been offering movie enthusiasts the most unwavering and pulse-pounding spy stories among all Hollywood franchises other than the James Bond movies.

Initially, David Koepp and Robert Towne transformed the 1966 television series into a blockbuster movie, setting a standard for all subsequent sequels with only minor alterations. The Impossible Mission Force, led by the relentless Ethan Hunt, receives information about an impending disaster that could impact the U.S., intelligence agencies, or even global stability. Typically, the team is denied official support and must evade not just their adversaries, but also supposed allies who pursue them as well.

After eight chapters, Ethan Hunt’s time with the IMF seems to be drawing to a close. To celebrate this milestone, director Christopher McQuarrie has gone all out to bring us “The Final Reckoning” – a fitting end that he aspires to surpass, if not match, the countless suspenseful sequences dreamed up by him and his predecessors throughout the past three decades. The question is, did he achieve it? It’s up to each viewer to decide whether they accept this mission and find out for themselves.

In the meantime, EbMaster reviews the eight “Mission: Impossible” movies and categorizes them based on his preference—from “I’d rather watch it with a disguise (like a mask)” to “I’d risk a HALO jump out of a plane just to see it again.

‘Mission: Impossible 2’ (2000)

In this series installment, bearing the lowest Tomatometer score at 57%, the sequel to “Mission: Impossible” appears to have addressed criticisms that its predecessor was overly complex by presenting a simplistic plot instead. Director John Woo, known for his flair in previous Hollywood productions such as “Broken Arrow” and “Face/Off,” seems to have relied heavily on his signature visual style to create a film filled with graceful imagery, aiming to mask an implausible narrative and action sequences. However, much of the story essentially revolves around a dispute over a woman (portrayed by Thandiwe Newton). The antagonist, Dougray Scott, fails to instill fear in Tom Cruise, adding insult to injury as he missed out on playing Wolverine in “X-Men” due to accepting this role.

‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning’ (2023)

In a surprising letdown for the anticipated climax of the series, “Dead Reckoning” unfortunately drags, despite skillfully recreating the thrilling elements that made earlier installments so engaging. The main issue lies in the portrayal of the final antagonist, Gabriel (Esai Morales), who, though vital to the plot due to his counterpart, the Entity, being an unimpressive electronic eye, fails to deliver a truly impressive showdown. This is compounded by Gabriel’s tendency towards tedious solemnity. Furthermore, Grace’s (Hayley Atwell) development into a reluctant hero takes an excessive amount of time, bordering on frustration. It seems the entire film follows this pattern: the Rome car chase, the Venice fight, Ethan’s mountain jump build-up, and even the numerous cars they have to navigate after halting a runaway train – each sequence seems to linger just a bit too long. Additionally, introducing the Sevastopol in the initial scene instead of its intended placement in “The Final Reckoning” means that Ethan spends the entire movie pursuing something viewers are already aware of, creating a unique feeling of the audience being ahead of the characters, a first for the franchise.

‘Mission: Impossible III’ (2006)

In more contemporary terms, one might say that early evaluations of J.J. Abrams’ film aren’t entirely wrong in likening it to an extended episode of his TV show “Alias”. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this director, who later disappointed fans of “Star Trek” and “Star Wars”, crafted something more subtle and complex with the franchise lore. Abrams deconstructs and redefines its central symbols, from a flawed mask-maker to numerous instances where Ethan Hunt struggles with his duties or fails to protect those dear to him. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s chilling portrayal of an adversary stands out among Cruise’s toughest challenges in the series. Despite Abrams’ tendency to soften Ethan Hunt’s life during downtime, he establishes a more genuine civilian relationship between Hunt and Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan), which transforms the series from a mere James Bond imitation into a saga with profound emotional depth and consequence.

‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning’ (2025)

The ending of Ethan Hunt’s story is sparking disagreement among viewers, a debate that will likely persist as time passes without his unique yet often disavowed heroism. In the future, which aspect of this film might resonate more with audiences: the initial part loaded with excessive and overly serious explanations or the latter half, boasting two of the most exhilarating action sequences in the series (and arguably cinema) history? The movie’s daring moments manage to overshadow the monotony of the lead-up. It’s undeniable that the cast’s persistent efforts to portray Ethan Hunt as the one and only morally guided individual capable of defeating the Entity don’t offer fresh perspectives on him, them, or their world. This repetition is particularly noticeable given that the previous installment already delved deeply into the challenges IMF faces and the consequences of failure. However, the film’s stunning finale, a high-speed chase through a damaged submarine followed by an intense air battle so realistic it seems unbelievable, “The Final Reckoning” delivers a powerful conclusion.

‘Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol’ (2011)

In his live-action film debut, Pixar veteran Brad Bird skillfully infuses Abrams’ sharp humor as a witty contrast to the heartfelt moments, creating the series’ largest action backdrop yet. Joining Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner enters the scene as an unexpected co-star who wasn’t intended to replace anyone. The film’s success breathed new life into “Mission: Impossible,” making it unnecessary to even contemplate replacing or letting go of its dedicated lead. With a blend of high-stakes action and self-deprecating humor, “Ghost Protocol” solidified the series as mature entertainment by striking an ideal balance between speed and heart-pounding suspense – a balance that subsequent installments have both maintained and enhanced.

‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996)

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how Brian De Palma, once an auteur and now a crowd favorite, kick-started the Mission: Impossible franchise with a film that encapsulated all the necessary elements for this action series. The vault heist sequence remains unmatched in terms of action set pieces, marking the moment when Tom Cruise truly began to embody the smoldering charm and subtle wit that have kept him at the A-list for decades.

At its release, the script penned by David Koepp and Robert Towne left audiences puzzled, but looking back, it was cleverly intricate, a delightful puzzle that set the stage for the series’ signature misdirection. It’s one of many elements in the film that has become a hallmark of the franchise.

‘Mission: Impossible — Fallout’ (2018)

In a larger scale than its precursor “Rogue Nation”, the movie “Fallout” showcases how Christopher McQuarrie has not only mastered his craft, but is now sprinting with the swiftness of Ethan Hunt. The return of Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) as both friend and foe seems slightly like a repeat of past successes to keep her character engaging on screen, but fans are more than happy because Ferguson delivers another strong performance. However, it’s Henry Cavill who shines brightest in the film as August Walker, an operative with a fierce dislike for Ethan that creates a tension that outshines the complex schemes of the villainous groups he leads. The action sequences are all exceptional, from the HALO jump to the nightclub fight to the escape of Solomon Lane to the helicopter chase concluding the film. After the meticulously-structured brilliance of “Rogue Nation”, the more open approach taken in this film leaves viewers feeling content but slightly overwhelmed, much like after a particularly indulgent meal.

‘Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation’ (2015)

In “Rogue Nation,” director Christopher McQuarrie reaches the pinnacle of Tom Cruise’s collaborations within the franchise, delivering grandiose (and at times literally) operatic scenes that move with clockwork precision. The character of Ilsa Faust, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is introduced in this film and stands as one of the most memorable characters created for “Mission: Impossible.” Her role creates a captivating dynamic, making her both a formidable adversary and a friend to Ethan Hunt, adding complexity to the plot while heightening its emotional impact. The film presents a dilemma known as an “embarrassment of riches,” where it’s difficult to decide whether the opening plane sequence, the opera assassination, the underwater vault or the motorcycle chase is the most impressive scene. However, McQuarrie’s seemingly endless creative prowess bolsters each character and energizes the world they inhabit, transforming a film series into an epic saga.

2025-05-24 19:50

M:I Movies Ranked: You Won’t BELIEVE Which One Is #1!