Ranking the Franchise - Mission: Impossible

Ranking the Franchise – Mission: Impossible
 
With “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 2” that was released this year, I decided to rewatch all the films, before actually watching the newest (and last?) installment. I think I actually started really loving this series after the third or fourth movie, but since I’m not really sure which ones I love the most, I decided to rewatch them before making a final raking of all seven movies.
 

8. Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
I did remember that I didn’t enjoy this movie very much, but I didn’t realize until my rewatch that this was actually a really bad movie. The story is silly, the villain is very unbelievable and unconvincing and it just felt like the odd one out in the series. I did like the soundtrack though, lots of guitars. Check out my full review HERE.
 

7. Mission: Impossible (1996)
The movie that started it all, our introduction to the franchise and to Ethan Hunt is an spy. The story is solid, the action is strong, the plot twists are there. It’s not yet as spectacular as the movies to come, but I have always enjoyed “Mission: Impossible”. My full review can read HERE.
 

6. Mission: Impossible 3 (2006)
I always felt like this was the rawest and most gritty film in the franchise. And it’s a good thing, because it’s the best part of the film. Perfectly calculated action. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a very convincing bad guy, one of the best in the series. Read my full review HERE.
 

5. Mission: Impossible – Death Reckoning Part One (2023)
After six films, you would think it’ll be hard to come up with any fresh ideas. As such, the plot of the seventh installment, centered around a runaway AI program, is on the bland side. Fortunately, however, this is offset by the personal mission of leading man Tom Cruise to continually outdo himself. Because yes, there are some matchless stunts and action scenes that will be very memorable. The scene on the train was amazing! Also fine addition of Hayley Atwell, as a crafty thief. Not the best in the still ongoing series, but I highly enjoyed it and it’s still a very good movie. Check out my full review HERE.
 

4. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
A great and satisfying ending to a long-running franchise. Again, outstanding in its action sequences. Like the underwater scene with submarine and the airplane chase and fight sequence. But, overall, a really strong action movie, with a final last hour that kept me on edge constantly. Click HERE for my full review.
 

3. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
Before “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” I just liked these films. After seeing the fourth film in the series, I became excited and looked forward to every new release. With this movie, the franchise went from being good to being amazing! I absolutely loved “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. I loved the addition of Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton. Renner did another one after this, Patton unfortunately only did this one film. Simon Pegg’s role gets bigger, I love him as Benji, the comic relief. The scene where Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is climbing the tallest building in the world, was my favorite. Nerve wrecking, but awesome. Check HERE my full review. 
 

2. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
By the time “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” came out, I had high expectations. And it’s always a great thing when these expectations are met. In this film we are introduced to Ilsa Faust, played by Rebecca Ferguson. One of the best characters in the entire franchise. And also Solomon Kane, portrayed by Sean Harris. Who is my favorite villain of the series. And the opening scene, with Tom Cruise literally hanging from a plane, is one of the best of the series as well. HERE you can check out my full review.
 

1. Mission: Impossible – Fall Out (2018)
Seldom movies in a franchise get better by each release. The sixth film in the series is my favorite, without a doubt. And in this case, bigger is better! This film stands out in its perfectly choreographed fight scenes. The most epic action sequence involves two helicopters and it was everything. Read my full review HERE.

Movie Review - Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 169 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Holt McCallany, Nick Offerman, Angela Bassett, Hannah Waddingham
 
Description: Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF pursue a dangerous AI called the Entity that’s infiltrated global intelligence. With governments and a figure from his past pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.
 
Review: Ethan Hunt gets one more chance to complete his mission. After the evens in “Mission: Impossible – Death Reckoning Part One”, the existence of The Entity is no longer a secret. This self-aware and all-encompassing AI that can take over world leadership, is so dangerous it might end the world. Ethan Hunt has gone into hiding with the key to the digital brain, while the government would rather use this technology than destroy it. Shutting it down would mean the end of cyberspace, and the White House wants to prevent that. It’s up to Ethan to convince them to let him do his job.

The film opens with a video message from the president to Hunt, which also serves as a concise summary of the entire film series.

“Mission – Impossible – The Final Reckoning” consists of three parts. There is already a lot at stake, but in the first act the stakes are raised so that Hunt cannot possibly refuse the mission. Then he has to persuade others to give him permission. With or without approval, in the second part he carries out his plan. And action-packed and excessive spectacle that is entertaining as hell.

The climax follows in the last part, with the grand stunt Tom Cruise pulls off. Which has become a tradition by now. That final half hour, is an absolute nail-biter. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

This final film in the “Mission: Impossible” series really did it. It’s a satisfying and strong end to a long-running franchise.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Mission: Impossible

Director: Brian De Palma
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1996
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristen Scott Thomas, Henry Czerny

Description: An American agent (Tom Cruise), under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.

Review: This first film about an international team of spies led by Ethan Hunt is an instant hit for fans of high-tech action spectacle and inimitable plot twists. I decided to rewatch all the films in the franchise, before watching the newest in the series.

The ladies and gentlemen of the Mission: Impossible team must prevent the theft of a file containing the names of secret agents. But things go wrong, and the team will have to flee and fight, unravel and expose.

This is were it all started, did Tom Cruise realize that the movies would eventually get better and better (with exceptions)? Because this is probably one of the most successful action movie franchises. It’s been a while since I last saw the first in the series, but I remember really liking it. And it holds up.

Rating: 3,5/ 5