10 Ways The Mission Impossible Movies Keep Getting Better

Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer did solid work on Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible II respectively, but the music in the last three movies has clearly improved over time.

Michael Giacchino joined the series in Mission: Impossible III, and his scores for both that film and for Ghost Protocol are simply breathtaking. His update of the classic theme in Ghost Protocol is electrifying and sends chills down the spine during the title sequence, and the rest of the score mixes both the new and the old as is Giacchino's style. Whenever he works on an action film, his music makes the movie more exciting in a subconscious way. 

Joe Kraemer takes his place with Rogue Nation, and as great as Michael Giacchino is, this is the best score yet. Once again there's a kickass rendition of the theme for the opening titles, but he also has the same theme making subtle appearances throughout and some catchy new motifs as well. Kraemer understands when not to use music, too, and so the underwater sequence plays out with the score completely absent as the audience collectively holds its breath.

It might not sound as important as the stunts or visuals, but music really is a huge factor in making these movies so thrilling, and the scores for the past three films have been increasingly brilliant.