On May 22, 1996, Tom Cruise played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Mission – Impossible franchise, transforming the beloved spy television series into a cinematic experience. In this reboot, Cruise portrays Ethan Hunt, an operative of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), who embarks on perilous, covert missions across the globe. Much like the original TV series, these assignments are shrouded in secrecy, and should he falter, the U.S. government will deny any association with him.
What sets the Mission – Impossible franchise apart from other spy films and series throughout the years is it’s unique approach. It portrays Ethan Hunt and his entire team as expendable in the face of failure, yet they become invisible to the world upon their success.
In the inaugural film, directed by Brian De Palma, Hunt embarks on a quest to identify the individual who has framed him for the murder of his previous IMF team. This decision sparked controversy, as it resulted in the demise of many cherished characters from the original Mission – Impossible TV series, but it also paved the way for future developments.
Since then, the Mission – Impossible franchise has released eight films, with the latest one, Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, premiering in 2025. These eight films have collectively grossed an impressive $4.7 billion at the Box Office, and the last five have all received Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores exceeding 80%.
This makes it one of the most successful and transformative spy franchises in cinematic history. The franchise’s remarkable achievements underscore it’s impact on the genre and it’s enduring popularity among audiences.
Mission Impossible Transformed The Spy Genre Into A Collaborative Experience
Before Mission – Impossible, a significant aspect of most spy films was the portrayal of a solitary superspy on a mission to save the world. James Bond typically operated alone, despite having a supporting cast that assisted him prior to his escapades.
More often than not, when Bond had a direct ally, that individual would either betray him or meet a tragic end. In contrast, Ethan Hunt is depicted as a member of a team, a structure that effectively mirrors the success of the original TV series.
The Mission – Impossible team features a diverse array of characters who play crucial roles in the missions alongside Hunt. With trusted allies like Luther Stickell, Ilsa Faust, and Benji Dunn, Hunt has a reliable support system he can count on.
This transforms the narrative into a collaborative effort, akin to a superspy rendition of the Avengers, a concept that, while uncommon, is not entirely foreign to the spy genre. However, it was Mission – Impossible that truly popularized this dynamic.
The Shift From Shootouts To Advanced Heists
A defining aspect of most James Bond movies is the action-packed sequences involving car chases, boat pursuits, shootouts, and explosive encounters. Ethan Hunt shares similar experiences, but the Mission Impossible films opted for a different approach, focusing on high-tech heists.
While Bond often finds himself in these spy-like scenarios, GoldenEye, released one year before Mission Impossible, showcased exhilarating tank chases and intense g**fights.
The inaugural Mission Impossible film expertly established this blueprint with it’s iconic heist scene, featuring Hunt being lowered on cables into a vault that tracks temperature, sound, and pressure, all to retrieve a crucial list for his team.
Unlike typical action sequences, there is no g**fight here; instead, the tension surpasses that of any James Bond film from that time. Additionally, the use of latex face masks throughout the series highlighted the emphasis on the technological elements of espionage.
Did You Know That Mission – Impossible Was Serialized Before The Iconic James Bond & Jason Bourne Franchises ?
The James Bond films were self-contained. Each installment featuring Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton had the same central character, yet the narratives were distinct, allowing viewers to enjoy the new films without prior knowledge of the earlier ones.
In contrast, the Mission – Impossible series embraced the concept of a shared universe, with each film building upon the events of it’s predecessors. Tom Cruise’s consistent portrayal of the lead role has played a crucial role in unifying the entire franchise.
In the 2000s, Jason Bourne embraced this concept and propelled it forward, while James Bond transitioned to serialized storytelling with Daniel Craig stepping into the role.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has perfected the notion of a cohesive universe across all it’s films. Yet, prior to any of these cinematic ventures, Mission – Impossible pioneered this approach and demonstrated it’s effectiveness.
Ethan Hunt Was A Spy Who Stood Against The Establishment
In the inaugural Mission – Impossible film, the protagonist, Ethan Hunt, finds himself pursued by his own government. Wrongly accused of murdering his entire IMF team, he must prove his innocence before he is apprehended, jeopardizing his quest to uncover the true culprits.
While James Bond has gone rogue at times, none have reached this level of betrayal. In this narrative, Hunt is perceived as the antagonist by his own government, a unique twist for a prominent spy franchise. Over the years, nothing has shifted.
In Mission Impossible — Ghost Protocol, the whole IMF team is wrongfully accused of a bombing at the Kremlin, leading the President of the United States to disavow them.
In Rogue Nation, the CIA Director dismantles the team and labels Hunt as a ‘rogue agent.’ While Jason Bourne adopted this narrative, it was Hunt who truly popularized this trope within the spy genre.
Mission Impossible Engaged Innovative Directors
When examining large spy franchises, they tend to share a similar aesthetic, with changes primarily occurring when new actors join the cast. The Sean Connery Bond films exhibit a striking resemblance to one another, which contributed significantly to their success.
Similarly, Roger Moore’s films maintained a consistent style, but this led to a mixed reception due to the inclusion of absurdist comedic elements. In contrast, each Mission – Impossible installment presented a unique visual experience until Christopher McQuarrie assumed the director’s role.
Brian De Palma helmed the inaugural Mission Impossible film in 1996, following a distinguished career that featured classics such as Carrie, Scarface, and The Untouchables. He infused the film with an essence reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock.
The second installment saw John Woo infuse his dynamic Hong Kong action style, while J.J. Abrams made his feature film debut with the third entry. Brad Bird, known for his remarkable animated films at Pixar, transitioned to live-action with the fourth installment. This variety ensured that each movie felt distinct and invigorating.
Tom Cruise Takes On His Own Stunts
One of the most notable aspects of the Mission – Impossible films is Tom Cruise’s unwavering commitment to performing his own stunts, regardless of the risks involved.
In the very first installment, Cruise executed the Langley Heist, the aquarium explosion, the Prague heist, the thrilling ride atop a train, and the intense helicopter scene in the Channel Tunnel. Following that initial film, the stunts became even more exhilarating.
Cruise has endured significant injuries while performing his own stunts, many of which would be deemed too risky for most insurance companies to cover. Unlike Cruise, actors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Daniel Craig, and Matt Damon would shy away from such perilous risks in their films.
Nevertheless, this commitment allows for close-up shots of Hunt’s face during these thrilling moments, contributing to the uniqueness of Mission – Impossible within the spy movie genre.