In anticipation for the release of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation tomorrow, Donna Kelly takes a look back at the Mission: Impossible series that has spawned five instalments grossing more than $2 billion worldwide for ScreenRelish.
Earlier this week, we took a look back at Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible II, both of which were a box office success. Today, we flashback to 2006 to the release of Mission: Impossible III, J.J. Abrams’ first film as a director.
In Mission: Impossible III Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has retired from active duty to train new IMF agents but is called back into action to track down the dangerous and sadistic dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Davian has kidnapped an IMF operative (Keri Russell) and intends to sell a mysterious dangerous object known as “The Rabbit’s Foot”. With the help of his field team, Hunt goes back into the field to stop Davian, protect his future wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan) and uncover a few IMF double agents in the process.
After the surprisingly dull sequel Mission: Impossible II, Tom and the team are back on top form in Mission: Impossible III in what is arguably the most engaging and fun film in the trilogy. The third instalment in the M: I franchise delivers everything a fan could ask for; fast-paced action scenes, eye-popping stunts and plenty of special effects. Add Philip Seymour Hoffman as Owen Davian and Simon Pegg as IMF Technician Benji Dunn into the mix and you’re onto a winner.
One of the best scenes in the film is the bridge attack sequence in which Hunt battles a fighter jet, a helicopter and an army of gunmen hellbent on breaking supervillain Philip Seymour Hoffman out of custody. There are explosions, a gun fight and Hunt holding on for dear life as he dangles precariously 100 feet above the water from a broken bridge. Abrams and visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett mixed shots from the real Chesapeake Bay Bridge with CGI special effects and shots of a recreated bridge to create the elaborate sequence. The result is one of the most iconic and visually engaging sequences of the series. Check it out below:
Back on a high, Mission: Impossible III was a box office success, taking in a total of $134 million.
Join us tomorrow for a look back at the fourth film in the M:I franchise – Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
This feature was originally written for ScreenRelish
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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