Mission: Impossible Marathon

My first IMAX experience came when seeing Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol last year, mainly drawn by the Dark Knight Rises prelude. I left the cinema having really enjoyed Ghost Protocol. Since I had not seen any of the previous MI films, I decided a Mission: Impossible marathon was a mission I was willing to accept! Over the last week I watched through each of the MI films, including Ghost Protocol. Here are my thoughts.


Mission: Impossible (1996)

The first Mission: Impossible is the most spy centric film of the series. While the other films rely on big explosive action set pieces, this film chooses to be more subtle (at least until the final sequence). This first film also has the most complex plot. Unfortunately the complexity only leads to confusion. I left the film with more questions then answers. I love twists/surprises in plots, but the numerous ones in Mission:Impossoble didn't have their intended impact because of the aforementioned confusion. Originally released in 1996, the movie feels very much like 90's film. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the special effects and the final action sequence hold up well. Also, the well known scene of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) being lowered into the data bank room is still thrilling. A felt it worth mentioning the point of view shot used after the initial mission. I found it very jarring, and didn't see any reason why it was used. Mission: Impossible was a solid, somewhat chiché, action spy film. I missed some of the physicality Cruise displayed in later films and felt that another action scene could have helped the film, but had a fun time with the film.


Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Mission: Impossible 2 brought on John Woo as director. Woo is known for his stylish ultra-violent gangster films, and he brings his usual touch to this film as well. Unfortunately, his vision of an over the top action film with little story is a complete train wreck. The first part of the film is dedicated to establishing the very James Bond esque romance between Ethan Hunt and Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton). The film expects us to care and be invested in their supposed deep loving relationship, which is established in a matter of minutes. Also introduced to us is the weakest villain of the series Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). I don't know if I should blame Scott's poor acting, or if Woo was behind the camera instructing him to play the character like one found in a bad martial arts film, but the Sean Ambrose character is never threatening and seems almost laughable at times.

The film is full of overly dramatic action sequences, slow motion camera shots, and 90's style bullet showers which are horribly far from hitting their target. Woo's visual style is cool to watch on screen, and this is where I found the little joy I had with this film. If M:I 2 wasn't looking to take itself seriously, I would the over-the-top action a pass. I wasn't as confused as with the first film, but then again there wasn't much of a plot to be confused about.


Mission: Impossible 3 (2006)

J.J. Abrams brought his trademark visual style, complete with lens flare, to Mission: Impossible 3. This styalization was a much better fit for the series compared to Woo's attempt in the second film. Mission: Impossible 3 was able to find a good balance between spy film and action film. Along with this balance came the first film in the series which I felt brought genuine emotion between the characters. We were able to get to know Ethan Hunt outside of his spy adventures and met his soon to be wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers an incredible performance as the relentlessly evil villian Owen Davian. Davian is the best villain in the series, and one of the the best villains I can recall in modern action films (shares the throne with the Joker in Dark Knight). The character Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) is also introduced in the film. Benji is one of the best parts of the next film in the series. The film is not without faults, such as building suspense with a instance of no cell phone signal, and is nothing revolutionary. What is it is a great time and the movies!

Addition: I forgot to originally mention J.J. Abrams' trademark Mystery Box, which took the form of the rabbit's foot. I found no problem not finding out what the rabbit's foot really was, a point that speaks to the wonderful execution of the film.


Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Once again bringing a new director, the latest film in the Mission: Impossible series is directed by Brad Bird. Bird is best known for his work on animated films from Pixar. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is, in fact, his first live action film. Bird makes a wonderful transition to live action, and is able to carry over some of the quirky sensibility usually found in Pixar films. Moments such as the gecko glove blowing in the wind and William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) putting on metal underwear bring a freshness to the series, which does well to keep the audience from getting too muddled down in action sequences. I also can't help but mention one of my favorite moments, when the subtitles change from Russian to English during the hospital scene.

Ghost Protocol is full of great sequences, which are unique and interesting in their own ways. The film earned it right to be presented in the IMAX format with the building scene in Dubai. When the IMAX kicked in during sequences such as this, it was overwhelming in the best sense of the word. The sand storm was another great sequence. It was disorienting, yet not confusing. Not all the sequences were quite as successful. One that didn't work as well for me was the party scene with the Bollywood star Anil Kapoor, which seemed too mundane when compared to the rest of the film.

Despite his older age, Tom Cruise gave his best and most physical performance of the series, which was a pleasure to view. I was also very glad to see Benji garner more attention in this entry to the series. His comic relief is a most welcomed addition. All around the film had satisfactory performances.

Ghost Protocol found a perfect balance between fun and action. I hope the series breaks tradition, and chooses to bring back Brad Bird for the fifth entry.



Each entry into the Mission: Impossible series faces a the challenge of presenting us with new character, since many aside from Ethan Hunt do not return, and getting us back into the action after an average of 5 years between films. Some of the films are more successful then other at doing this. Aside of Mission: Impossible 2 I really enjoyed the series, and look forward to more entries in the future.