How Far Would You Get On “Mission: Impossible”?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 1, 2024

Ever imagine yourself dangling from a skyscraper or diffusing a bomb with seconds to spare? The Mission: Impossible movies aren't just action-packed spy thrillers; they're gauntlets that test the mettle of Ethan Hunt, played by the ever-intrepid Tom Cruise. With each new installment, the stakes get higher, the stunts more hair-raising, and Hunt's chances of a peaceful retirement more laughable.

You've watched him sprint through cities, hang from planes, and save the world more times than you've lost your car keys. But let's cut to the chase: Would you be the superspy saving the day or the side character who's out of the action after the opening credits? Imagine the iconic theme music kicks in, and suddenly, it's your turn to be the master of masks, the wrangler of rogue nations, and the daredevil that laughs in the face of gravity.

So, do you think you have what it takes to go full Ethan Hunt, or would your spy career be as short-lived as the tape that self-destructs in five seconds? Buckle up, because it's time to find out exactly how far you'd make it in the world of Mission: Impossible. Just remember, should you choose to accept this challenge, there's no turning back, and this message won't self-destruct after you've read it. Don't worry, though; your couch is likely a much safer bet than the top of a speeding train!

The Impossible Missions Force (IMF): Recruitment to Retirement

Before you consider jumping out of an airplane or scaling the Burj Khalifa, let's talk about what it really takes to be part of the IMF. From the adrenaline-pumping recruitment process to the enigmatic conclusion of an IMF career, every moment is a high-stakes operation. Are you ready for this roller-coaster from recruitment to, well, do spies ever really retire?

Are You Ethan Hunt Material?

Seriously, do you look good in a tux while hanging from a wire? Can you keep a secret longer than you’ve held onto that gym membership? If you nodded yes, you're off to a good start. To join the ranks of the IMF, you need a particular set of skills; skills you’ve acquired over a very... dramatic career. Skills that make you a dream for the IMF and a nightmare for enemies like The Syndicate. Are gadgets and gizmos aplenty, whosits and whatsits galore something you're into? Brush up on those, because it’s the bread and butter of an IMF agent’s job in the Mission: Impossible movie franchise.

From Mission Accepted to Mission Accomplished

Alright, let's say you accepted the mission, and you crushed the training montage. Now you're ready for the type of action sequences that would make even a superhero dizzy. Each mission is like an elaborate chess game where you're the king, queen, and the sneaky knight nobody sees coming. Ethan Hunt makes it look like a walk in the park, but remember, he’s faced down The Syndicate with nothing but his wits and some absurdly sticky gloves. Your missions will not be easy; they will indeed be impossible. But hey, if they were easy, they'd just call it The Probable Mission Force, right?

Retirement Plans: Do IMF Agents Even Get a Pension?

Retirement for an IMF agent is like a spy thriller: no one really knows the ending. One day you're diffusing a nuclear bomb while disguised as a flamenco dancer, and the next, you might just be sipping martinis on a beach—shaken, not stirred, obviously. There’s not exactly a 401(k) plan in sight; unless it’s code for an escape route during a covert operation. So, if you’re planning for your golden years, remember that in the IMF, your retirement party is more likely to involve an extraction team and a new identity than cake in the break room.

Iconic Moments and Your Survival Odds

Ever fancied yourself hanging from the world's tallest building or speeding through traffic on a motorcycle with the fate of the world in your hands? Well, let's see how you'd fare in some of the most treacherous stunts from the Mission: Impossible series.

Dangling from the Burj Khalifa

Let's kick off with the jaw-dropping antics at the Burj Khalifa from Ghost Protocol. Picture this: you're dangling a staggering 2,722 feet above the bustling streets of Dubai. Survival Odds? Unless you have adhesive gloves and nerves of steel like Ethan Hunt, your chances are thinner than the air up there.

Motorcycle Chases and Cliffhanger Fights

Imagine you're on a motorbike, chasing or being chased down winding roads. From the intense Morocco motorcycle chase in Rogue Nation to Mission: Impossible 2’s showdown on the cliffs of Moab. Survival Odds? If your motorcycle skills are rusty and you flinch at the sight of oncoming traffic, best leave these stunts to Tom Cruise and his stunt team.

Undercover Operations and Mask Revelations

The palpable tension of undercover work reaches new heights when you’re ferreting out a mole or facing a villain like Philip Seymour Hoffman or Henry Cavill. One wrong move during these clandestine dances and you're more than just compromised. Survival Odds? High if you can hold your poker face as impeccably as your martini, shaken not stirred.

Take the mission, if you dare, and see how long you'd last in the thrilling, danger-packed world of Mission: Impossible. And who knows? Maybe you'll be the one hanging off an airplane in the next sequel — or at least dreaming about it from the safety of your couch.