M:I - The Best of the Franchise

This is the second part of the series in which I share my personal ranking of this incredible franchise. It’s based on my opinion, but it comes with deep admiration and respect for the craftsmanship on display. As a cinephile, I’m truly grateful for the Mission: Impossible franchise.

I.  Best Villains (Ranked)

1. Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) – The most terrifying and grounded villain in the franchise. Hoffman’s Oscar-winning intensity elevated every scene.

2. Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) – A chilling and cerebral villain with a meaningful arc. His calculated demeanor made him the perfect foe for Ethan Hunt.

3. August Walker (Henry Cavill) – Cavill’s finest performance. As a “hammer,” he was brutal, intelligent, and charismatic—a formidable presence.

4. Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) – A morally gray figure whose manipulations put Hunt in danger. His confrontations with Cruise are electric.

5. Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) – Not the strongest in writing, but his physical resemblance to Ethan Hunt made their final face-off compelling.

II. Best Opening Sequences (Ranked)

1. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – A nearly 30-minute setup before the title card, featuring one of the best submarine sequences in modern cinema.

2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout – A brilliant 15-minute opener with a perfect callback to the original film.

3. Mission: Impossible III – Short but intense. The Davian interrogation sets a dark and emotional tone immediately.

4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – The prison escape is clever and full of personality, showcasing the Ethan/Benji dynamic.

5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation – A short, unforgettable sequence with one of Cruise’s most dangerous stunts: hanging off a moving airplane.

III. Best Supporting Roles (Ranked)

1. Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust) – A dynamic, multi-layered character. Faust is mysterious, lethal, and emotionally resonant—a standout in every film she’s in.

2. Simon Pegg (Benji Dunn) – The heart of the team. His loyalty and humor make him the perfect sidekick, especially in moments of emotional high stakes.

3. Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell) – A cornerstone of the franchise. His wisdom and devotion to Ethan make him the emotional glue of the IMF team.

IV. Best Crazy Stunts (Ranked)

1. Motorcycle Cliff Jump – Dead Reckoning – Performed six times by Cruise for the perfect take. Unbelievable commitment.

2. Helicopter Chase – Fallout – A stunning aerial sequence that’s even more intense on an IMAX screen.

3. Burj Khalifa Climb – Ghost Protocol – A legendary stunt that challenged anyone with a fear of heights.

4. HALO Jump – Fallout – Required a custom-built helmet—a daring and technically groundbreaking scene.

5. Plane Takeoff – Rogue Nation – Cruise actually strapped to the outside of a plane mid-air. Absolutely insane.

6. Underwater Sequence – The Final Reckoning – Visually breathtaking and suffocatingly tense.

7. Biplane Sequence – The Final Reckoning – Dizzying and ambitious; another incredible achievement.

V. Best Action Set Pieces (Ranked)

1. Paris Motorcycle/Car Chase – Fallout – Tense, kinetic, and expertly choreographed through real city traffic.

2. Train Sequence – Dead Reckoning – A heart-pounding finale with real practical effects and top-tier suspense.

3. Helicopter Chase – Fallout – Raw and unpredictable aerial action.

4. Opera Sequence – Rogue Nation – Stylish, suspenseful, and masterfully staged.

5. Bathroom Fight – Fallout – Brutal and iconic. One of the most memorable hand-to-hand combat scenes in the series.

6. Car Chase in Rome – Dead Reckoning – Inventive, chaotic, and surprisingly comedic.

7. Davian’s Escape – Mission: Impossible III – High-octane and emotionally charged.

8. Motorcycle Duel – Mission: Impossible 2 – Over-the-top, but an unforgettable early-2000s set piece.

VI. Best Films – Franchise Ranking

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

A masterpiece of action cinema with heart, tension, and depth. Every scene has purpose and emotional weight.

2. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

A franchise reinvention. Creative, fun, and filled with innovative, non-firearm-based action sequences.

3. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

McQuarrie’s first entry brings spy-thriller elegance, compelling storytelling, and great new characters.

4. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

Nearly impossible to follow Fallout, but it succeeds thanks to an epic opening and ambitious scope.

5. Mission: Impossible III

Fast-paced, emotionally driven, and featuring the franchise’s scariest villain. The Vatican sequence is unforgettable.

6. Mission: Impossible

A classic spy thriller with De Palma’s unique style and suspense. The Langley heist is still one of the genre’s best.

7. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Not a bad film—this franchise has none—but it ranks lower due to some issues in the story's structure. Still, a must-see in theaters.

8. Mission: Impossible 2

Pure blockbuster fun. Stylish, explosive, and unforgettable in its own way. Plus, Hans Zimmer’s score is an all-time banger.