Missions, Impossible and Improbable

Contrary to the majority of critical opinion, this viewer does not consider “Ghost” as the best entry of the series. It is an entertaining action escape and if that were the sole appeal of a Mission Impossible story then it might be, because the quality of set pieces is high, but there is something missing.

The first “Mission Impossible” back in 1996 rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. The plot was too complicated. People did not expect their action film to require them to think and keep track of what was going on. However, that is what set it apart. It was, at the time, a novel mixture of fun espionage a-la-Bond and complicated puzzle solving.

The results since have been mixed. The second installment was all style and no substance. The third picture was highly complex and a return to what makes the series unique.

This fourth film requires no thought. There is no mystery. We know every step of the way what the mission is all about and exactly what must be done. It is just that the requirements of each mission are… impossibly difficult. In fact, by the end of the film it has gone from impossible to unbelievable.

There is an emerging indicator that we can use for future installments. When Cruise has short hair, the film will involve mystery and require thought. When he lets his hair grow out it will be all stunts and style.