Ranking The Mission: Impossible Movies - From Worst To Best
1. Misson: Impossible 3 (2006)
After a lengthy development cycle (both David Fincher and Joe Carnahan had developed failed third instalments) Cruise managed to finally find the future of the series via his favourite small screen addiction; the spy show Alias.
JJ Abrams (the show's creator) had never directed a feature but, from the final result, you'd never know. He helms this blockbuster with such immediate confidence, that it catapulted the franchise into the revitalised trajectory its been steady on since.
Abrams basically transformed Agent Hunt’s existence into a big-budget episode of his show; the distinct colour palette, the relentless set-pieces, Michael Giacomo’s pulsing compositions - all were present. The plot also revolved heavily around the agent vs home-life scenario.
Yet, it wasn't just a case of copy/paste; it humanised Hunt and his quest to save the world in an involving manner the other entries have lacked. The genuine romance with him and wife Michelle Monaghan upped the stakes and the heart of the piece to peak levels.
Add to that, it's the only time the series completely nailed the villain; with a flawless Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who is hilariously unimpressed with Cruise's bravado throughout.
The movie is just air-tight thrills, laughs and pulse-pounding drama from beginning to end - hands down, it's one of the greatest action movies of the noughties, let alone the franchise.