Here’s why ‘Mission Impossible’ kicks James Bond’s ass

OPINION: Tom Cruise has left the most recent Bond movies in his wake with the latest Mission: Impossible film which is deadset incredible.

OPINION: Nobody does it better? I’m not so sure anymore.

The James Bond film series has, of late, grown more stale and less distinctive with every passing entry. Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre all had bland villains, the same un-sexy “Bond goes rogue” routine and a prevailing sense of aimlessness.

They’re just no fun.

Nothing makes the Bond franchise’s sad decline more abundantly clear than the latest, excellent Mission: Impossible movie, Fallout. Everything 007 used to have in a chokehold — European car chases, fearsome hand-to-hand combat sequences, awesome gadgets — MI now does bigger and better.

Tom Cruise in a scene from "Mission: Impossible — Fallout."

After 22 years, six movies and with a star who’s 56, Ethan Hunt has KO’d James Bond.

How does MI stay looking so fresh and young? Rejuvenating green juice shots? Turmeric scrubs? Infra-red masks?

Try energetic and creative filmmaking, and a star who actually cares about his role.

“It really has been quite a ride. Very exciting,” Tom Cruise said in a 2015 interview to promote Rogue Nation. “To see how global audiences have embraced Ethan and the franchise.” Cruise also produces the films, and commits to a gruelling training routine to do all of his own stunts. He’s not on cruise-control.

Compare that to what Daniel Craig told Time Out the same year when they asked the actor if he could imagine making another Bond film:

“Now? I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists,” said the Octo-wussy. “No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall.

Of course, Mr. Live and Let Cry will be back for the 25th film in 2019.

Craig’s nose-up attitude toward the iconic series that made him a household name has always been apparent on-screen — it’s just been confused for manly brooding. However, like remaining in a toxic relationship for the perceived convenience of it, perhaps moving on would be best for everybody.

MI also has kept a firm sense of identity: End-of-the-world plot lines, insane and real stunts, fab femmes fatales and a light tone despite the danger. The filmmakers add clever touches to that formula, but for the most part they stick to it.

Like no franchise other than, perhaps, Star Wars, James Bond is beloved by fans for its nostalgia: the retro kitsch, the elegance, the womanising, the Cold War crime solving. But in a tiresome effort to modernise 007, they’ve stripped away these distinguishing factors, making the character not all that distinct from Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne, or Liam Neeson in anything, really.

For James Bond to regain its quality — not to mention its place in pop culture — may be mission: impossible.

Mission: Impossible — Fallout will hit Aussie cinemas on August 2.

This article was originally published on the New York Post

Originally published as Here’s why ‘Mission Impossible’ kicks James Bond’s ass