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 - The Naked Gun

Director: Akiva Schaffer
Genre: Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 85 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand,
 
Description: Only one man (Liam Neeson) has the particular set of skills – to lead Police Squad and save the world.
 
Review: “The Naked Gun” is a new film, not so much a remake of the 1988 version, but more a continuation. Because Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the late Sr. (Leslie Nielsen). Together with his partner he is investigating a seemingly innocent accident involving a self-driving car. The victim’s sister, Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), approaches Drebin with suspicions that this is not what it seems. She turns out to be right, and Drebin starts his investigation.

That this new version takes over the same humor from the original series is immediately clear from the opening scene, in which a little schoolgirl walks into a bank during a robbery and turns out to be Liam Neeson ins disguise. You know it’s silly, but you laugh anyway.

As it should be, this film is crammed with jokes from start to finish. Not all of them are brilliant, but because they keep coming, you can’t help but laugh. The plot, present but paper-thin, is purely a hook for adding as much nonsense as possible. There is even room for a parody of Wham’s “Last Christmas” music video, which takes a very bizarre turn.

For some reason, Liam Neeson is the perfect man for the job. Known for mainly serious roles, and in the last years action films, it’s somehow a breath of fresh air to see him in such a ridiculous role. And Neeson delivering silly lines with a straight face somehow works perfectly.  

Pamela Anderson is also surprisingly funny. Her singing the fictional jazz song “Sassafras Chicken” is super weird, but kind of funny too. She is on par with Priscilla Presley (who appears in the movie for a quick second) from the original series.

The running gag in this film is the coffee joke, where Frank is always being handed a cup of coffee, no matter what situation he is in. It works best when the joke hasn’t been used for a while and then suddenly reappears in an unexpected situation. They do miss the mark a bit when the are lowering themselves to the easy poop and sex jokes, which hardly ever works for me. But fortunately they are limited.  

If you’re a fan of the original films and you like silly humor, you will not be disappointed. When the film was first announced, I never expected it to work as well as it did.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

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

Book Review - The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

Title: The Last Housewife
Author: Ashley Winstead
Genre: Thriller
Published: 2022
 
Description: While in college in upstate New York, Shay Evans and het best friends met a captivating man who seduced them with a web of lies about the way the worlds works, bringing them under his thrall. By senior year, Shay and her friend Laurel were the only ones who managed to escape.
 
Now, eight years later, Shay’s built a new life in a tony Texas suburb. But when she heart the horrifying news of Laurel’s death – delivered, of all ways, by her favorite true-crime podcast crusader – she begins to suspect that the past she thought she buried is still very much alive, and the predators more dangerous than ever.
 
Recruiting the help of the podcast host, Shay goes to the place she vowed never to return to in search of answers. As she follows the threads of her friend’s life, she’s pulled into a dark, seductive world, where wealth and privileges shield brutal philosophies that feel all too familiar.
 
When Shay’s obsession with uncovering the truth becomes so consuming she can no longer separate her desire for justice from darker desires newly reawakened, she must confront the depths of her own complicity and conditioning. But in a world built for men to rule it – both inside the cult and outside it – is justice even possible, and if so, how far will Shay go to get it?
 
Review: It doesn’t take long before you’re hooked. “The Last Housewife” by Ashley Winstead” is a real page turner. Some trigger warnings:  physical and sexual violence, drug use, misogyny, self-harm and trauma.
 
The book follows Shay Evans, a columnist who is focusing on writing a book. She listens to a true-crime podcast by Jamie, one of her best friends from high school, and finds out that one of her college roommates Laurel has been found dead. Jamie suspects it’s murder, when authorities claim it was suicide. Shay decides to travel back to New York, to find out for herself.
 
Shay is united with Jamie and the closer they get to the truth, the more we learn about Shay’s dark past. Shay and Laurel, together with two other college friends, were manipulated by a man named Don, who used physical, emotional, mental and sexual dominance over them. Don demanded that they behave according to traditional gender roles, and if they didn’t, his punishment escalated from withholding his attention to more physical methods.
 
As a reader you’re constantly trying to find out what Shay’s motivation is: is she trying to find justice for her friend, or is she secretly longing to submit again? Even after eight years, Shay didn’t manage to free herself from Don’s grip.
 
The power dyamic between men and women is an important theme in this story. When Shay was under Don’s control, she learned what this meant in its most extreme form. Although much more subtle, Shay’s husband Cal also exercises a form of dominance. Using money as his power weapon.
 
The story is very disturbing. The power these men wield over women is disgusting and infuriating. But unfortunately it’s still very topical. Traditional gender roles and misogyny are still a big problem in this world. And Ashely Winstead manages to create a memorable and satisfying piece of noir fiction. Never expected the dark turns this novel would take and that I would eventually end up loving it this much.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

Title: Heartstopper: Volume 5 (Heartstopper # 5)
Author: Alice Oseman
Genre: Romance/ Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+
Published: 2023
 
Description: Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house… But when Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?
 
Review: This is the fifth part in the “Heartstopper” series, with a sixth one on the way. In this volume, Nick and Charlie have to think about their future. Which university do they want tot attend, and will they sill live close enough to maintain their relationship? Fortunately, their relationship is stronger than ever, and Nick and Charlie seem unbeatable as a couple.
 
Charlie feels that they are ready for the next step in their relationship. They would like to stay over at each other’s houses, but Charlie’s mother, in particular, is not keen on the idea. Nick also goes on a trip with Tara and Elle. They visit the universities of Kent, Oxford and Leeds. Because they have to pick universities.
 
In this part, Nick and Charlie show that growing up is not as easy an fun as it seems. You have to make so many choices that feel will determine the rest of your life. One of those is which school to attend: do they choose a school close to home, so they can still see their family and friends, or do they choose a school that is actually much better suited for them, but also much further away? And especially Nick is finding this particular difficult.
 
I love this series and even though I really enjoyed this fifth volume, it didn’t give me the same feeling as the other four did. It’s my least favorite so far. This was supposed to be the final book in the series, but Alice Oseman announced that she’s actually wrapping it up in a sixth volume. And I think it does deserve a better ending, so I t makes sense.
 
Rating: 3,5/ 5

20s Movie Review - Thunder Force

Director: Ben Falcone
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Comedy
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman, Melissa Leo, Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff
Description: In a world where supervillains are commonplace, two estranged childhood best friends (Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy) reunite after one devises a treatment that gives them powers to protect their city.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A FILM WITH OCTAVIA SPENCER
 
Review: Director Ben Falcone has his wife, actress Melissa McCarthy, star in his films pretty regularly. No matter if their movies are a hit or miss, they continue to work together. This time, they combine their forces for “Thunder Force”. McCarthy plays Lydia, who accidentally gains superpowers. And now, together with her estranged best friend from school she is trying to fight the villains, the so-called Miscreants, in their city.

This movie is not good. In any case, it’s not Melissa McCarthy’s fault. She has the timing and talent to turn any half-baked idea into something that can pass for mildly amusing. Octavia Spencer also delivers an excellent performance as the brilliant but introverted friend Emily. However, there is little chemistry between the two. They don’t feel like two women who grew up together and have a close bond despite all the tension. A palpable friendship is exactly what this film needs the most.

“Thunder Force” contains superhero clichés. And clichés don’t bother me when done well, but that’s not the case for this film. Parents who must be avenged, strange names for alter egos, having to learn to control one’s powers. And little humor is drawn from this. At best, there are a few funny moments. Half-baked funny ideas that are not very well developed.

I could have gone along with it, if it was some sort of parody film. But whenever something ridiculous does appear, it seems out of place. Like Jason Bateman’s characters, called The Crab. He has crab claws instead of hands, which does indeed look laughable, but its mainly strange and not funny. As it’s clearly intended to be.

What remains is a predictable action comedy, with few jokes.

Rating: 2/ 5

00s Movie Review - Mission: Impossible 2

Director: John Woo
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Thandie Newton, Dougray Scott, Richard Roxburgh, Brendan Gleeson, Billy Baird

Description: IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is sent to Sydney to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called “Chimera”.

Review: Ethan Hunt returns, and is now called to Sydney to find and destroy a dangerous disease called Chimera.

Before starting my rewatch of all the movies in the “Mission: Impossble” franchise, I did remember that the second installment wasn’t the best. But now that I’ve seen it again after so many years, I realize it’s actually pretty bad. It’s just shamelessly action-packed, yet still taking itself seriously, when it’s actually a bit ridiculous. And I now most of the films in this franchise are filled with action and are pure popcorn films, but they do have substance. “Mission: Impossible 2” feels so different from the rest for some reason.

The story isn’t well written. The acting is pretty bad, I hated the villain. Dougray Scott is not convincing as a bad guy and I never took him seriously. Thandie Newton who plays Nya Hall, the love interest/ ally of Ethan Hunt, although doing her best, is overly sexualized and I think she could have been more this movie then just the pretty woman functioning as the decoy.

I did like the soundtrack, that was definitely in my wheel house. With lots of ripping guitars.
Long story short, this is the odd one out in the “Mission: Impossible” series. And I did not like it.

Rating: 2/ 5