The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast PEL Presents PMP#199: Missioning Impossibly
Jun 22, 2025
Dive into the absurdity of the 'Mission: Impossible' film series as the hosts debate its evolution from serious espionage to action-packed spectacle. Reflect on J.J. Abrams' unique contributions to film and television, and chuckle over the franchise's more ridiculous moments. Explore the complexities of Tom Cruise's star power and recent career choices, while critiquing storytelling missteps in the action genre. With humor and insight, they also tackle improbable movie endings and character arcs, making for a lively and entertaining discussion.
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Lawrence's Marathon Watch
- Lawrence Ware watched all the Mission Impossible films multiple times and saw them as one seamless continuation.
- He appreciated the characters and exposition more when viewing them as a connected series.
Series Finds Its Groove
- The Mission Impossible series struggled with coherence until Ghost Protocol.
- After that, it found its formula of spectacular action and humor, increasing its appeal.
Tone Shift After First Film
- The 1996 first Mission Impossible film was a more faithful espionage thriller akin to the original TV show.
- The series later shifted to large-scale spectacle and less tension-driven storytelling.