June is what kind of month? It is the perfect month to binge-watch the <Mission Impossible> series. You might be wondering what I mean by that, but on June 1st, all six films of the <Mission Impossible> series will be released on Disney+. The six films currently available on Coupang Play and U+ Mobile TV will also be available on Disney+, so for those who only subscribe to that OTT, now is the perfect time to watch the <Mission Impossible> films you haven't seen or want to see again. If you are planning to watch the currently released <Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning>, it would be a good idea to remind yourself by watching these films beforehand. Anyway, to celebrate the perfect day for watching <Mission Impossible>, I have gathered impressive iconic scenes from each film. Please note that I have excluded the most representative stunt scenes from each film (only mentioned at the end of each film). If you have any iconic scenes you think should be included, please share them in the comments.
<Mission Impossible> - The Opening Scene That Starts with Failure
The start of Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible', the 1996 film <Mission Impossible>. This film, which gained attention for being a film adaptation of the drama <The Fifth Column> (1966-1974), is now a classic that no one is unaware of, but at the time, it caused quite a sensation with its 'destruction of the original'. From the very beginning of the film, due to someone's interference, the mission fails, resulting in the deaths of most team members. This opening scene creates an incredible immersion with the IMF team's strong chemistry, the tension of carrying out the mission, and the sudden crises. Additionally, it showcases the 'mask trick' that runs through the original <The Fifth Column> and the <Mission Impossible> series, capturing both tradition and the unique direction of this series that subverts it. Although it is far from action, it is a model scene of a thriller where you can enjoy team chemistry.
MUST SEE - CIA Security Room Infiltration Scene
<Mission Impossible 2> - Motorcycle Action Scene
The film that is the least 'Mission Impossible' like, and therefore the one where we can see Ethan Hunt closest to being an 'action hero', is <Mission Impossible 2>. Directed by John Woo, the film creates a unique mood with slow motion, which creates a significant synergy with Tom Cruise in a leather jacket during his prime. The moment Ethan Hunt, who fails to escape by helicopter, steals the enemy's motorcycle and begins to flee, it feels like a spicy mala soup that you can't stop eating even though it's too spicy or a dessert that is so sweet it hurts your teeth. With Tom Cruise, who is driving with one hand while holding a gun in the other, it’s hard to tell whether it’s tension or excitement. And the sky is so refreshing. Anyway, there was a moment like this, a pictorial moment for Ethan Hunt, who is always running and rolling in the dirt.
MUST SEE - Rock Climbing Opening
<Mission Impossible 3> - Vatican Infiltration
<Mission Impossible 3>, where Ethan Hunt's wife is taken hostage, shows the greatest crisis in the series, yet the Vatican infiltration sequence is relatively light-hearted and impressive. The team, centered around Ethan Hunt, Luther (Ving Rhames), Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and Zhen (Maggie Q), embarks on the notorious infiltration of the Vatican with its strict security. Although it is a quite tense scene, the sight of Ethan Hunt and Declan acting as Italians from the start makes you burst out laughing, and then you find yourself holding your breath during the dangerous moments. The veteran team members' banter and J.J. Abrams' excellent pacing make for a remarkable scene. Plus, with the ever-changing fashion show of Tom Cruise and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, it is not an exaggeration to call it the essence of entertainment.
MUST SEE - Building-to-Building Swing Jump Sequence
<Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol> - Sandstorm Sequence
Action is better when it is clearly visible. That’s a given. However, <Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol> shows excellent direction that creates tension by not being clearly visible. It is the scene where Ethan Hunt is isolated in a sandstorm in Dubai. Ethan must chase Wistrom (Samuli Edelmann) and goes out into the sandstorm that is wreaking havoc in Dubai. After that, visibility is so poor that he can't see anything in front of him, but Ethan chases the target with GPS, and the target ambushes Ethan from an unseen angle, creating a tense situation. The quality of the action is excellent, and the clever use of the Dubai setting stands out. Although Ethan Hunt runs a lot in other scenes, this scene is particularly memorable as he struggles in the suffocating sandstorm. For reference, I often recommend to friends going to see this movie to bring cola or something to drink.
MUST SEE - Climbing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
<Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation> - Chase Sequence
The first <Mission Impossible> film directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise's soul mate, <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation> features action styles that stand out from previous films. With the introduction of the organization known as the Syndicate and the character Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), there are many chase sequences, making the pursuit feel much more intense than in other films. In particular, the sequence where Ilsa escapes on a motorcycle while being pursued by a car through the narrow alleys of Morocco gives off a classic <007> series vibe, which is more of a spy action. The chemistry between Ethan Hunt and Benji, who shows a perfect match after the third film, adds to the tension. It becomes even more interesting when compared to the subsequent Paris chase scene (<Mission Impossible: Fallout>) and the Rome chase scene (<Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning>).
MUST SEE - Airplane Takeoff Sequence
<Mission Impossible: Fallout> - High Altitude Jump Scene
Christopher McQuarrie, who showed perfect chemistry with Tom Cruise in <Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation>, directed <Mission Impossible: Fallout>, becoming the first director in the series to direct two consecutive films (ultimately continuing until the end of the series). Having grasped the direction of the series in the previous film, McQuarrie maintained the spy story style in <Mission Impossible: Fallout> while expanding the scale of the action scenes. Among them, the highlight is undoubtedly the high-altitude jump action, known as the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump scene. What makes this scene truly terrifying is that not only Tom Cruise but also Henry Cavill and the cameraman had to jump together. Moreover, since it was a scene where lighting could not be used, the time available for filming each day was only about 3 minutes. Ultimately, after over 100 rehearsals and several attempts, they were able to complete the scene. Simon Pegg, who visited the filming site, said, "I feel stressed thinking that I might not see those people again tomorrow," which says it all. The ups and downs of the filming process are interesting, but the scene itself is also entertaining, especially when August Walker (Henry Cavill) confidently jumps and ends up fainting after being struck by lightning in the clouds, which is both funny and sad.
MUST SEE - Helicopter Stunt Scene
+ Henry Cavill's one-two punch loading scene - This additional scene is not related to action or stunts, but it is often mentioned as one of the most impressive moments in the film. The ad-lib that Henry Cavill took to loosen up during the action scene matched well with the character of August Walker and was included in the film.
