Warner Bros.
Inside the Mission Impossible Series: The Best, The Worst, And The Final Instalment
A sneak peek into the eighth installment of Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” series was unveiled on November 11, 2024. Titled “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” it seems to mark the end of Cruise’s involvement in the series. The film, teeming with ominous undertones and global threats, continues directly where “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One” left off, tracing Ethan Hunt’s struggle against a formidable artificial intelligence operating from a lost submarine in the Arctic Ocean.
The “Mission: Impossible” films, since their initiation in 1996, have evolved into colossal cinematic events, drawing vast audiences to theaters and enabling Tom Cruise to progressively exert his creative influence on the film series. Cruise’s influence on the direction, editing, casting, and music of the films is significant, despite not officially holding the title of director or writer. The series, which began with Brian De Palma’s 1996 original, has evolved into an ever-expanding platform for breathtaking stunts and action, with Cruise performing increasingly daring feats in each subsequent film.
However, not all the “Mission: Impossible” films have been well-received. Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” (2011) was difficult to follow and lacked any memorable moments beyond its climactic Burj Khalifa sequence. Christopher McQuarrie’s “Dead Reckoning” (2023), filmed amidst the COVID lockdowns, suffered from awkward editing and an excessive number of close-ups due to the necessity to film actors separately.
John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible 2” (2000) is widely regarded as the weakest link in the series, a sentiment echoed by both critics and IMDb users. The film earned a modest 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from IMDb users.
‘Mission: Impossible 2’: The Downfall of the Series
Paramount
“Mission: Impossible 2” represents a significant dip in the otherwise successful franchise. Director John Woo, renowned for his stylized and balletic gunfight sequences in films like “Hard Boiled” and “The Killer,” seemed to lose his touch in this installment. The film lacked clarity in its narrative focus, oscillating between the romance of Ethan Hunt and Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) and the rivalry between Hunt and the generic villain Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott).
The narrative revolves around a deadly virus named Chimera and its cure, Bellerophon. Ethan Hunt embarks on a mission to retrieve both, knowing that Ambrose has access to them and can be reached through his ex, Nyah. The film culminates in a dramatic gun/motorcycle battle, featuring an infamous scene where Cruise and Scott charge their motorcycles towards each other, leap off in mid-air, and fire their guns. Despite its high-octane action, the film’s narrative and character development were deemed underwhelming by a significant number of IMDb users.
Critical Reception of ‘Mission: Impossible 2’
Paramount
“Mission: Impossible 2” garnered mixed reviews from critics. David Ansen, writing for Newsweek, described the film as slick but dull. Dennis Harvey, reviewing for Variety, criticized the film for its shallow script and over-reliance on flashy visuals. Roger Ebert was generous, awarding the film three stars and praising its evolution from the first installment.
Many positive reviews were conditional, labeling the film as shallow yet entertaining enough to watch. Mick LaSalle, for SF Gate, called it “fun,” “laughable,” and filled with “moments of sheer idiocy” and “idiotic excitement.” In comparison, “Mission: Impossible III” was appreciated for its relatable characters and balanced action sequences. When juxtaposed with “Mission: Impossible 2,” it’s a stark contrast.
Interestingly, “Knight and Day” is also rated higher than “Mission: Impossible 2.”
FAQs
1. What is the worst-rated Mission: Impossible movie according to IMDb?
“Mission: Impossible 2,” directed by John Woo, is the worst-rated movie in the series according to IMDb, with an overall rating of 6.1 out of 10.
2. What is the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible series?
The latest installment is “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which is expected to be the last movie in the series featuring Tom Cruise.
3. What is the main criticism of “Mission: Impossible 2”?
“Mission: Impossible 2” was primarily criticized for its lack of narrative focus, underwhelming character development, and over-reliance on flashy visuals.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
