It’s strange to look back on now, considering the carefully cultivated image Tom Cruise has projected into the world for the last two decades, but the truth remains undeniable: Tom Cruise used to specialize in playing jerks. Not unlikable jerks, and certainly not losers, but definitely characters who rode their extreme cockiness dangerously close to the sun. He did it time and time again throughout his early career. Because this was the 1980s and early 1990s, when being a confident, borderline arrogant protagonist was fashionable in Hollywood, Cruise was able to become the biggest movie star in the world playing these roles. From Maverick in “Top Gun” to the sports agent who famously declared “Show me the money” in “Jerry Maguire,” Cruise mastered the art of making audiences root for characters who might otherwise be insufferable.
However, everything changed in 1996 when Cruise took on the role of Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible,” a film that would not only redefine his career but also establish one of the most enduring action franchises in cinema history. Directed by Brian De Palma, the film transformed a beloved 1960s television series into a sleek, modern espionage thriller that captivated audiences worldwide. The movie grossed over $457 million globally, making it one of the highest-grossing films of that year and proving that Cruise could carry a franchise on his shoulders while performing increasingly death-defying stunts.
The Birth of a Different Kind of Action Hero
What made “Mission: Impossible” revolutionary was how it departed from Cruise’s typical cocky protagonist formula. Ethan Hunt was confident, yes, but he was also vulnerable, betrayed by the very institution he served. The film opened with a devastating sequence that saw Hunt’s entire IMF team eliminated, leaving him as the sole survivor and prime suspect in the massacre. This setup forced Cruise to play a character who was desperate, paranoid, and operating from a position of weakness rather than strength. It was a significant departure that audiences embraced enthusiastically, and it laid the groundwork for a character who would evolve over nearly three decades of filmmaking.
The original television series, which ran from 1966 to 1973, had established the template of elaborate heists, team dynamics, and the iconic self-destructing message briefings. De Palma’s adaptation honored these elements while infusing the story with his signature visual style, including the now-legendary CIA headquarters infiltration scene where Cruise dangles inches above a pressure-sensitive floor. That sequence alone has been parodied, referenced, and homaged countless times in the years since, cementing its place in action cinema history. The tension of watching Hunt suspended by a wire, sweat dropping toward the floor, remains one of the most masterfully crafted suspense sequences ever filmed.
A Franchise That Defied Hollywood Conventions
What truly sets the “Mission: Impossible” franchise apart from its contemporaries is its remarkable consistency and, arguably, improvement over time. While most long-running film series experience diminishing returns both critically and commercially, the “Mission: Impossible” films have done the opposite. Each subsequent installment has pushed boundaries further, with Cruise famously insisting on performing his own stunts despite the escalating danger. From climbing the world’s tallest building in “Ghost Protocol” to hanging off the side of a cargo plane during takeoff in “Rogue Nation,” Cruise has made his commitment to practical effects a defining characteristic of the series.
The franchise has now spawned eight films over 30 years, with each entry bringing in acclaimed directors who put their unique stamp on the material. John Woo’s operatic action in the second film, J.J. Abrams’ emotional stakes in the third, Brad Bird’s architectural precision in the fourth, and Christopher McQuarrie’s masterful handling of the most recent entries have all contributed to a series that feels both consistent and constantly reinventing itself. At 62 years old, Cruise continues to perform stunts that would make actors half his age nervous, demonstrating an unparalleled dedication to his craft that has earned him respect across the industry.
Streaming Accessibility and Lasting Legacy
Now, three decades after its initial release, the original “Mission: Impossible” is available for free streaming, giving new generations the opportunity to discover where this remarkable journey began. For viewers who have only known the franchise through its more recent, larger-scale entries, returning to the 1996 original offers a fascinating glimpse at a more contained, paranoid thriller that relies as much on psychological tension as physical spectacle. The film represents a pivotal moment not just for Cruise’s career but for Hollywood’s approach to adapting television properties into cinematic franchises. Its success paved the way for countless similar adaptations, though few have matched its longevity or quality.
Expert Opinion: The “Mission: Impossible” franchise represents a rare phenomenon in Hollywood where star power, creative vision, and practical filmmaking have aligned to create something genuinely timeless. As streaming platforms continue to reshape how audiences discover classic films, the accessibility of the original “Mission: Impossible” may introduce the series to viewers who will then explore its increasingly ambitious sequels. With Tom Cruise showing no signs of slowing down and additional films potentially in development, this franchise demonstrates that age is no barrier to reinvention when there’s genuine passion and craftsmanship behind the camera.