Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It – (Mission: Impossible Film Recap)

(At the time of writing this article, the author is currently on a Mission: Impossible binge-watch and has just finished with the 5th movie).

As we eagerly wait for the release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, it’s become clear that this eighth installment is going to be the culmination of the previous section’s action pictures. Before diving into the final mission for one last time, let’s recap on everything we need to know on this series:

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Directed by Brian De Palma, the first film introduces Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), who is framed for a botched mission. Forced to go rogue, Hunt uncovers a mole in the organization. The film became known for its now-iconic vault heist scene and set the tone for the series’ focus on tension, betrayal, and high-tech espionage.

Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)

Directed by John Woo, the sequel takes a stylistic turn with slow-motion action and martial arts. Hunt battles a rogue agent who has stolen a deadly virus called Chimera. Though divisive among fans, it solidified Hunt’s image as a globe-trotting action hero.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

The film revitalized the franchise after the second installment’s mixed reception. Directed by J.J. Abrams, this entry brought more emotional depth, focusing on Ethan’s personal life and fiancée. Here, Ethan has retired from active duty and in a long-term relationship with doctor Julia (Michelle Monaghan), but he’s forced to come out of retirement after his protege is kidnapped by Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of arms dealer Owen Davian. Additionally, this film also introduces Simon Pegg’s Benji Dunn.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

With Director Brad Bird at the helm, the fourth film rebooted the franchise’s energy. After the IMF is disavowed, Hunt and his team must stop a nuclear extremist. The standout sequence features Cruise scaling Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, showcasing his commitment to doing his own stunts. 

Thereafter, Jeremy Renner is added to the team, and was initially supposed to be Cruise’s successor, but that idea was scrapped even though the Avenger is a decent supporting addition (thankfully).

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the fifth film introduces the Syndicate, a shadowy anti-IMF organization. The film blends action and intrigue, with memorable sequences like a high-speed motorcycle chase and a breath-holding underwater scene.

It’s Hunt’s turn to be suspected as a double crosser and he is hellbent on proving his innocence. The Syndicate, headed by Solomon Lane, a former MI6 operative gone rogue, is seemingly the antagonist behind a web of terror attacks.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

The Syndicate returns and has become a terrorist for hire. Also directed by McQuarrie, Fallout is widely considered the series’ peak, combining the best of its predecessors. Hunt teams up with CIA assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. With intricate plotting, character continuity, and jaw-dropping stunts, it raised the bar for action cinema.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

The latest installment sees Ethan facing an AI-driven threat known as “The Entity.” It’s a modern twist echoing real life, digital-age dangers. The movie followed Ethan as he attempted to bring together the two parts of a key, which would allow their owner to exert some control over The Entity. The film features another wave of practical stunts, including a dramatic motorcycle jump off a cliff, as Hunt races to prevent global chaos.

The movie concluded with Ethan and his team carrying the completed key and hoping to find a sunk Russian submarine that could allow them to deactivate The Entity for good. Click here to read our review on this movie.

Looking Ahead

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two is set to conclude this chapter of the saga, promising even more thrills. There’s certainly a lot of time for the action to happen, with reports indicating that The Final Reckoning will clock in at a runtime of almost three hours. There’s no doubt that Cruise and McQuarrie will have cooked up something extra special for the final farewell, if indeed Cruise ever is able to say goodbye to the role. 

After nearly three decades, the franchise remains a benchmark for action filmmaking, driven by Tom Cruise’s relentless commitment to pushing cinematic limits.