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Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
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WILDLY underrated franchise.
Still haven't seen this, but sounds like I can comfortably leap MI ahead of Bond over the last 20 years.
To take such a non-descript property, one that was little more than a theme song, and make it into a powerhouse franchise like this is amazing. Not knowing anything about this movie, it still seems like Renner could be a guy that carries it forward and Cruise could settle into a role not unlike what Voight did in the first movie (without turning heel).
And that may be the MOST amazing part about the franchise - the took the original series' chief protagonist and made him THE BAD GUY in the movie. They alienated every fan of the original series and still turned this thing into a monster.
Cruise is friggen amazing.
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First, a lot of credit goes to Cruise for who he selected to direct the 1st film. De Palma brings a lot to the table and without a standard of quality in the first film, it wouldn't be where it is now. The plot and cinematography has a lot of that throwback feel to golden age of cinema and crime / mystery / thriller genre pics.
Four and 5 have honestly solidified MI from probably just being a Tom Cruise vehicle to an established franchise that will have a revolving lead.
If you recall, Cruise executive produced since the first film, and took way less up front in exchange for points on the backend. I believe they estimated that at worst he made at least $50 million off of MI 1.
It says something when your worst director is John Woo.
Brian de Palma
John Woo
J.J. Abrams
Brad Bird
Christopher McQuarrie