<Mission Impossible> series' 8th installment, <Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning>, was released on May 17 and is receiving love from Korean audiences. The series depicts the struggles of special agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and has been beloved as Tom Cruise's representative work and his series where he tries to do everything he wants (!). The newly released <Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning> ties back to the content of the first installment from 1996 and various series foreshadowing, concluding the entire series and raising interest once again. Celebrating its 28th anniversary, the <Mission Impossible> series has seen each Cineplay reporter select their favorite work among the 8 installments. If readers leave their favorite edition in the comments, it will be a great opportunity to share memories of the <Mission Impossible> series.
Lee Jin-joo _ 4th installment <Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol>
The Aesthetics of Team Play Built as High as Skyscrapers
Many may remember the <Mission Impossible> series as Tom Cruise's one-man show, but the real fun of this series lies in 'team play.' <Ghost Protocol> is a work that showcases the pinnacle of that team play. The synergy created by Ethan Hunt and Jane Carter (Paula Patton), Benji (Simon Pegg), and William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) complementing each other is the true thrill of this film.
This work, which is the first in the series to have a subtitle, tells the story of IMF agents who are pushed out of the organization rather than individuals. In a situation where government support is cut off, they must rely on each other in a world where no one can be trusted. Deviating from predictions, timing goes awry, and momentary mistakes heighten the tension. The inevitable errors that occur in team missions and the tension they create make this work even more intricate.
Of course, the series' signature thrilling action is present. Climbing the exterior of a skyscraper in Dubai with bare hands, chasing through a sandstorm, and fighting in a parking tower provide an immersive experience beyond imagination. In particular, the action sequences that actively utilize space create stronger suspense than the most frequently mentioned high-altitude action in the series. This is why this film is called a turning point in the series.
Choo Ah-young _ 1st installment <Mission Impossible>
The Essence of the <Mission Impossible> Series
Do you remember the shock of seeing Tom Cruise's face for the first time when the face mask was torn? Directed by Brian De Palma, the first installment of the <Mission Impossible> series (1996) left imprints that would carry on the legacy of the series. The first <Mission Impossible> is not just a simple spy action film but the archetype that determined the worldview and aesthetics of the series that would continue for nearly 30 years. With Hitchcockian suspense, De Palma creates iconic scenes like the vault infiltration scene at CIA headquarters in the first installment. This scene has become a symbolic moment in film history. The vault infiltration sequence, where one hangs from a wire in a high-security vault that triggers alarms if one touches the floor, makes a sound, or has a body temperature rise of even 1 degree, remains etched in the audience's memory. The beads of sweat flowing down Ethan Hunt's face evoke extreme tension. Additionally, the escape scene using a water tank, the action on top of a train, and the helicopter chase leave a lasting impression, making the first installment a textbook of Hollywood action direction. Furthermore, De Palma infused the style of Italian giallo films into the movie, differentiating it from existing spy action films. As a result, <Mission Impossible> dressed in Brian De Palma's style became a work where the entertainment of spy thrillers coexists with cinematic experimentation.
Joo Seong-cheol _ 2nd installment <Mission Impossible 2>
John Woo, Do Whatever You Want
It seems that people excessively hate <Mission Impossible 2> (2000), so I want to talk about why I genuinely like this movie. It is the most romantic work in the series as it features Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Nyah (Tandi Newton) as lovers from the beginning. One might ask, what romance in the <Mission Impossible> series? But Brian De Palma had already declared in 1996 with the first installment that the <Mission Impossible> film series would take a completely different path from the original TV series <Mission: Impossible>. Even the title was changed. Rather than team play, it centered on Tom Cruise, so it is not strange to think that Ethan Hunt, played by him, would lead the narrative with his lover in the second installment. Moreover, just as the first installment followed the legacy of Hitchcock, the second installment also closely follows Hitchcock's <Notorious> (1946) almost to the level of a remake. Tandi Newton resembles Ingrid Bergman, who approaches her father's friend to extract information from the Nazis in <Notorious>. Furthermore, watching the poignant love between Ethan Hunt and Nyah reminds me of the best romance novel by the revered author Jin Yong, 「The Legend of the Condor Heroes」. Nyah injects a virus into her body to complete the mission, and Ethan Hunt promises to return with the cure within 20 hours. Yes, John Woo wanted to make the <Mission Impossible> series like 「The Legend of the Condor Heroes」! I was amazed by that. Additionally, the action scenes unfolding in the biopharmaceutical company building and the villain Ambrose's hideout are almost shot-for-shot recreations of <The Killer> (1989), showcasing characters running in slow motion and white doves flying, which is John Woo's trademark. The car chase scene on the winding hill and the sight of him spinning on a motorcycle while firing a gun display his skills to the fullest. In summary, John Woo made this film with all his heart, fully utilizing his directorial autonomy. If there is a fault, it might be that he listened too well to the phrase 'Do whatever you want' in a style different from the first installment. So don't kick the second installment around; have you ever directed freely with someone else's money?
Kim Ji-yeon _ 5th installment <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation>
The First Appearance of the Character We Loved
The identity of the <Mission Impossible> franchise is not just in the 'spectacle of action.' In fact, in the beginning, <Mission Impossible> started as a spy thriller. As the franchise expanded, thanks to producer Tom Cruise's ambition, the scale of action within <Mission Impossible> grew larger, establishing the formula "Mii-mpa = large-scale action," but the <Mission Impossible> series is also a thrilling franchise that oscillates between betrayal and betrayal. Especially, the fifth installment, <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation>, is a work where traditional spy thriller and enormous scale action are balanced and harmoniously intertwined.
Moreover, the reason this work is particularly attractive is that it marks the first appearance of Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). Ilsa Faust, the most beloved female character in the history of the <Mission Impossible> franchise, appears from the 5th installment <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation> to the 7th installment <Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning>, proving her capabilities as an 'action actress' comparable to Tom Cruise, earning her the nickname 'female Ethan Hunt.' In particular, the assassination sequence at the Vienna opera in the 5th installment holds a symbolic position in Rebecca Ferguson's filmography. How about the scene where she loads a weapon behind the opera stage while wearing a dress? Ilsa Faust challenges the limitations of passive female characters that the <Mission Impossible> franchise has faced. Ilsa is not merely a 'helper' or 'sacrificial lamb' or 'romantic interest' for Ethan; she is a character with independent vitality. Her unique position, whether she is a spy, a double agent, on our side, or a villain, makes her an intriguing character, allowing her to be loved until the end of the franchise. However, starting from <Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning>, a new character, Grace (Hayley Atwell), appears to assist and betray Ethan Hunt, seemingly inheriting the dimensionality that Ilsa Faust had in <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation>, but the Grace character is overly consumed as a tool merely for team-up purposes, failing to inherit Ilsa's position.
Seong Chan-eol _ 3rd installment <Mission Impossible 3>
The High Point of the Early Series Where Each Director's Style Shone
Since <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation>, the collaboration between Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise has drawn excessive attention to 'how amazing stunts Tom Cruise will show.' However, before that, up until the 5th installment when Christopher McQuarrie first joined the series, the greatest strength of the <Mission Impossible> series was 'the style that changes with each director.' The first installment directed by Brian De Palma was a delicately crafted spy film and an excellent model of a reboot before the revival era arrived. The second installment directed by John Woo had a strong romantic atmosphere. The subsequent third installment was directed by J.J. Abrams, who was classified as a 'new genius' at the time, emphasizing the strengths of the <Mission Impossible> series that highlight each director's style. As he had several hit dramas, attention was focused on how he would continue the <Mission Impossible> series.
And <Mission Impossible 3> presented by J.J. Abrams was a work that lived up to his nickname 'King of the MacGuffin.' From the opening where Owen (Philip Seymour Hoffman) blackmails Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), it delivered a shock, and the subsequent content captivated the audience with the mysterious item known as the 'rabbit's foot' (the identity of the MacGuffin was revealed only in this film). Of course, Ethan Hunt is joined by Luther (Ving Rhames), who has successfully appeared in every installment, and this film also marks the first appearance of Benji (Simon Pegg), who becomes a reliable ally. While the stunt 'killing part' that comes to mind when thinking of <Mission Impossible> is a weak point in the series, the action of Ethan Hunt, who runs, jumps, hangs, and rolls throughout the film, and the synergy with his team members are comparable to other works. Nevertheless, the greatest strength of this film is none other than Ethan Hunt's emotional arc. Ethan Hunt is the most shaken in front of the danger of his beloved wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan), and Tom Cruise captures Ethan's desperation in his transparent eyes. This film reminds us of the fact we always forget: Tom Cruise is a 'great actor' before being a 'movie star.' The performance of Owen, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, as an all-time great villain is also significant.
