Back in 1996 an up and coming IMF agent found himself on the wrong side of a mole hunt, forcing him to go rogue and attempt to uncover the real traitor. Of course this is all preceded by the operation in Prague, which really sets the tone for the whole movie. Seeing what happens to Ethan Hunt's team is particularly gut-wrenching thanks to the fabulous cast (which includes Kristin Scott Thomas and Emilio Estevez). They really nail the relationships and the banter, so they look and feel like a team that have worked together for a long time. All of which means you really feel Ethan's loss.
Ah, the feature length L'Oréal commercial. Two hours of Tom Cruise flicking his hair in slow motion... and some stunts.
And there in lies the movie's problem; it's too slick, too stylish, and not a whole lot of substance. The Biocyte lab, for instance, looks like Michael Bay's idea of what a laboratory might look like. Also there's only so much slow motion, tense walking I can put up with. Especially when the guy doing it is on a super stealthy mission that would require some degree of speed. Contrary to popular belief, a guy walking slowly does not add tension to your movie. Then, of course, there's the love triangle at the heart of this sorry tale. Put simply, it felt rather forced. As well as a tad over-dramatic. The creepy obsession Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) has for Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) works. It's actually pretty believable, whereas the rest of the movie is not. So instead of a triangle, it's more dotted line plus lone dot; a former couple and the other guy.
Hilariously, for a movie that's rather dumb, it raises many questions. For instance; if this mission is so important, why didn't the helicopter team pick up Ethan rather than leaving him on the top of a mountain? That way they could have given him his mission briefing glasses, rather than utilising the frankly problematic and incredibly dangerous delivery system. Why did Ethan base his team in the middle of nowhere when the bad guys are in Sydney? What the hell were they doing for the majority of the 20 hours Nyah was infected? And why the hell didn't Ethan simply get in the helicopter after stealing the virus and the antidote? Which he could have done after taking out the few guards outside the building and before Ambrose's men had a chance to exit said building. I know some of these issues are a convenient way of getting to the action, whereas others were undoubtedly created by a butcher grade editing process, but maybe they should have employed a scalpel rather than a hammer.
Now it may seem like I'm picking on this 20 year old movie quite a bit, but really I'm just trying to tell you why I haven't watched it in many years. That said, M:I-2 does have a few good points. The Australian setting, for instance. The relationship between Ethan and Luther (Ving Rhames) continues to be a lot of fun, and I like the addition of John Polson as Billy Baird - it's too bad he didn't get to reprise his role in future movies, like he did with several video games. On that note, it's a pretty decent cast all around. Newton is fantastic as Nyah, even if the highly capable thief is reduced to a stereotypical damsel in the second half. Scott delivers a perfectly creepy performance as a villain who's far from interesting. In fact, I'd say Richard Roxburgh's Hugh actually pips him in terms of creepiness. Although I did enjoy Ambrose's roasting of Ethan's operating methods when planning the attack on Biocyte.
All in all, I was surprised how much love Mission: Impossible 2 received when I posted on social media about watching it. It’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but I certainly won’t be revisiting it any time soon. And the less said about Limp Bizkit, the better!
Moving swiftly on. Now it's time for J.J. Abrams to make his mark on the franchise, and it feels like he tried to find a happy medium between Missions 1 & 2. He did at least bring things back in the right direction, but for me the franchise still hasn't found its groove. I know Cruise wants each instalment to feel different, and I get that. But it leaves the first half of the franchise feeling very disjointed. You've got the one that kicks things off - set the bar, so to speak. Then the example of how not to do a Mission: Impossible movie, and now this; the inbetweener, which can at times appear more concerned with looking cool than smart.
Without a doubt, M:I-III's biggest selling point is Philip Seymour Hoffman. His performance as Owen Davian is disturbingly cold. I'm not sure I'd be that cool if someone dangled me out of a plane! It is a masterful performance, one in which he turns being an arsehole into an art form. A fact made all the more poignant in the movie's best scene - the Vatican operation. This is where the movie comes alive because this is what a Mission: Impossible movie is supposed to look like. Seeing Hoffman play Ethan Hunt posing as Davian is a thing of beauty. Especially in the moment when he's talking to Luther. It is a shame then that Hoffman's other great scene - his interrogation of Ethan - is robbed somewhat by curious editing choices. There's no denying that its position at the start gives the movie an intense opening, but I would argue that the intensity would increase dramatically had it exploded on to the scene in a more chronological fashion.
Davian's life makes for an interesting contrast to the happy, quiet life Ethan has managed to carve out for himself - away from the action, but with a toe still in the world he's trying to escape. As much as we're in this for the action and excitement, it's kinda tragic to see Ethan's new found happiness crumble around him as he's dragged back into his old life. At least it gives Luther a chance or two to bestow his friend with some wisdom, usually during some impossible mission, and it's great to see that Cruise and Rhames haven't lost that excellent chemistry. Speaking of missions, the rescue mission at the start is a lot of fun, albeit a little loud for a covert operation. Then there's Davian's escape. An exciting and chaotic scene, definitely. But I always find myself taken out of the movie by a litany of plot conveniences that suggest the writers had to go out of their way - in other words, come up with a load of bullshit - to make the escape plausible. Things do get a little better after that, however. I particularly enjoy the sense of desperation that's added to proceedings upon reaching Shanghai - but seriously, what is it with Hollywood and purveying myths about CPR and defibrillators?
Overall I do like Mission: Impossible III. It's fun, the villain is awesome, and the overly dramatic, slow-mo intensity of M:I-2 is thankfully gone. But a lot of the time it feels more generic action movie than Mission: Impossible, and for me the franchise simply hasn't found its groove yet.
Which brings us to my favourite of the franchise... Ghost Protocol. In a genius move Brad Bird essentially tosses the entire IMF into the bin, leaving the last remaining team with little more than a hope and a prayer to stave off nuclear Armageddon. It is unrelenting, with the stakes feeling higher than any other mission. The fact that most of their kit breaks at inopportune moments adds a real sense of tension and humour to the movie. But I do have one question; did the IMF acquire Apple, or did Apple decide to get in on the intelligence/espionage game?
We all knew that if there was ever to be a fourth Mission: Impossible, it would have to address Ethan riding off into the sunset with Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Either that or the writers would just have to hope that fans forgot about it. But thankfully they did the former, because it weaves perfectly into this latest mission, and the opening with Ethan inexplicably in a Russian prison adds a nice degree of intrigue. I particularly like that Ethan is a little cold and stand-off-ish, disoriented even, when he's first broken out of prison. Reflective of the fact he's both a man freed from the confines of a cell and a deep-cover agent pulled out of a long-term operation.
Despite his initial coldness towards them, the new team is fantastic. It's just one of many choices that made Ghost Protocol the movie in which the franchise found its groove. That said, it is a shame Luther only makes a brief appearance. But it's great to see Benji (Simon Pegg) bumped up to a field agent role after his brief but hilarious stint in M:I-III. I for one am very glad that Pegg took over the role from Ricky Gervais, because I think Pegg is the reason Benji became more than just a bit part. Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) also make welcome additions, both of them bringing their own issues and secrets for us to pick at. All of that combined with the small issue of being disavowed, out there alone with no backup, means Ethan has to work really hard to keep the team together and motivated. This is something we haven't really seen before with Mission: Impossible, and it adds a degree of realism to their situation. And they need all the help they can get, considering who their opponent is. ‘Cobalt’, played by the brilliant Michael Nyqvist, is a fanatic - another first for the franchise - one who in a rather messed up way is fighting for humanity. He's a lot like Thanos in that way. You can see where he's coming from, and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty - unlike certain other villains in this franchise.
Naturally, this being a Mission: Impossible movie, it isn't without its spectacle. The main set piece involving Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa tower is both jaw-dropping and pure nightmare fuel for anyone with a slight fear of heights. Good thing no one happened to look out their window while Ethan was climbing, or rapidly descending for that matter. It's a tribute to Bird and his team that the movie can shift from Ethan's climb to the interception of the nuclear codes, and then on to the chase through the sandstorm without skipping a beat. The tension ratcheting up the more the team are forced to blag their way through. And its only flaw being the twist involving Wistrom (Samuli Edelmann), which didn't really make a whole lot of sense. But the best scene by far sees Ethan, his team, and a magnificent fake moustache infiltrating the Kremlin. The pairing of Cruise, Pegg and an iPad powered screen being the highlight. Also, the fact that it all goes pear-shaped adds a fun little twist, and the opportunity for a challenging but inventive escape by Ethan.
It may not be the best that the franchise has to offer, but Ghost Protocol continues to hold top spot for me because it's easily the most fun, features the most interesting villain, and there's a pretty decent fake moustache in there somewhere too.
From here on out the franchise feels much more connected as we follow a very different IMF and their continuing efforts to keep the world safe. I don't know why, but the first time I saw Rogue Nation I didn't like it very much. Thankfully that is something that has changed with subsequent viewings because there is a lot to like here. Starting with that incredible cold open featuring Tom Cruise clinging to the side of an Airbus A400M on take off. Clearly the man is nuts, but it does mean he makes some very exciting movies.
What sets Rogue Nation apart from the other movies is the state of the IMF. After being shut down thanks to Ethan's infiltration of the Kremlin going to rat shit, the agency is in a kind of flux. Not fully reactivated, the vultures are circling, and Ethan's antics aren't helping. Although it is funny watching poor old Brandt deal with a douchey Alec Baldwin, who's playing high and mighty on the CIA's behalf - hey, every now and then it's nice that they get to try and take the moral high ground. Baldwin is another welcome addition to the Mission: Impossible universe, as is Rebecca Ferguson as the mysterious Ilsa Faust. She and Cruise have this great chemistry, which is evident pretty much from the moment she enters the frame. The way Ethan is drawn to Ilsa feels very genuine. He sees something in her that no one else does, despite some of her choices. They're equals, carved from the same stone. Making their relationship a source of great intrigue.
Naturally this isn't just about two spies meeting in the torture chamber. This is Mission: Impossible, which means big, insane action, starting with Ethan's escape from the aforementioned torture chamber. Ferguson gets to show off her skills in fight choreography, and Cruise performs a neat trick to escape his restraints. The opera scene is brilliantly shot, not to mention great fun, especially when it comes to Benji's involvement. Pegg is once again on top form. I like that on more than one occasion the movie addresses the issue of appropriate footwear. And the events in Morocco are insane, including the epic chase featuring both cars and motorcycles (a definite step up from M:I-2). I'm sure they didn't need to do it that way, but watching Cruise hold his breath for so long brings a lot of tension to the infiltration of the data vault - despite knowing that Cruise wasn't hurt during filming.
My big issue with Rogue Nation is the villain. Solomon Lane is made out to be a rather sinister threat, when in reality he's snivelling and annoying, and not much else. He certainly never comes across as Ethan's equal. The way he's depicted in the movie - a sit there and send someone else to do it kind of villain - reminds me of how Faceman (Bradley Cooper) described Lynch (Patrick Wilson) in The A-Team; "he's a guy who needs anonymity, but he loves theatricality. He's an administrator, he's not an operator." Now his plan, on the other hand, is rather sinister, and actually quite clever. Recruiting intelligence officers from around the world, all thought dead, to bring down the very systems that created them. And yet, I find it strange that someone who clearly enjoys the luxuries of our current way of life would want to tear it all down.
Rogue Nation may have a weak villain, but it's rather enjoyable watching Ethan and his team screw with Lane’s plans. Fair to say this movie has definitely grown on me.
One more mission to go, and it's possible that it's the best one yet. It also happens to feature Hollywood's most controversial moustache. Thankfully Henry Cavill can pull it off... so to speak. I remember seeing the trailer for Fallout a lot in the build-up to its release, thanks in part to my many cinema visits. It became almost torturous. I'd try and zone it out, but of course it never worked. Then the day came when, mercifully, the movie arrived in cinemas. And somehow, after enduring the trailer many times, it didn't disappoint.
Christopher McQuarrie returns to direct the perfect combination of plot and action insanity. But what makes Fallout really interesting - as the title would suggest - is Ethan having to deal with the consequences of his choices; sacrificing mission success to save a teammate, as well as other more personal choices. Unsurprisingly, this puts pressure on the IMF, with the CIA breathing down their necks once again. Angela Bassett's line about scalpels and hammers is perfect. She's such a badass - especially for a character that rarely gets out of the office - and Cavill more than fulfils the role of the hammer. But more interestingly, Ethan's choices have an effect on his relationship with Ilsa, who re-enters his life at a point that's troublesome for both of them. Thanks to the electric chemistry that the actors share, the unspoken bond between their characters seems stronger than ever, as well as continuing to be a source of great intrigue. Star-crossed spies if you will.
Somebody has to be willing to HALO jump over Paris to catch terrorists, I guess. And it's a good thing too because that sequence is outstanding! Then there's that epic bathroom fight, which is almost as exhausting as it is fun to watch. And the insanity doesn't stop there because Fallout is filled with incredible chases, involving everything from the power of the human legs, to bikes, cars and helicopters. It is a literal thrill ride! I bet Mr Cruise's determination to do as many insane things as possible puts the other actors under immense pressure to do as many of their own stunts as possible, and the movie is definitely better for it. Every moment is gripping. Tension and excitement run rife all throughout thanks to the many awesome set pieces and McQuarrie's uncanny ability to keep us guessing. That moment in the 'hospital' is pure Mission: Impossible, and the scene in London in which everyone seems to have one last trick up their sleeve is just incredible. The only parts that don't work for me, in fact, are the dream sequences. I'm also not sure about Benji's bow ties. They're unnecessary, not to mention a tad coincidental - the dream sequences, I mean, not the bow ties. But I do like the way that Ethan's relationship with Julia has been handled - in that it was actually addressed, rather than simply swept under the rug and forgotten about, as it would have been in so many other franchises. There's a real sense of closure, one befitting both characters.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout is easily the best of the franchise. It borders on perfect. McQuarrie really nailed the blend of action, story, laughs, and impossibly high stakes. Ghost Protocol remains my favourite, but this is a close second.
There we have it; a rewatch that began with a fake moustache and ended with the most controversial moustache in Hollywood history. Mission: Impossible really is a fantastic series of movies. Each one brings something different to the franchise, including some hair-raising stunts and more than a few surprises. And now that I've watched them all again here's my official ranking:
- Ghost Protocol
- Fallout
- Mission: Impossible
- Rogue Nation
- M:I-III
- M:I-2
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