Key Takeaways:
– Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, has survived numerous perilous stunts in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
– Some of these stunts include surviving a fish tank explosion, rock climbing without a rope, and skydiving through a storm.
– Experts have pointed out that many of these stunts are unrealistic and would be fatal in real life.
– Despite this, these dynamic action sequences have contributed to the success and popularity of the franchise.
Introduction
Tom Cruise is not just a Hollywood star, he’s an action hero. Known for his audacious stunts in the Mission: Impossible film series, Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, has come out of many dangerous situations alive. These stunts, while visually impressive, often defy the laws of physics and human ability. Let’s take a closer look at six such scenes.
The Fish Tank Explosion in Mission: Impossible
In the first Mission: Impossible film, Ethan Hunt creates a massive diversion by causing a huge fish tank to burst. The explosion allows him to escape, but the reality of such an event is far more dangerous. Shards of glass and a powerful rush of water can cause severe injuries. Real-life examples such as the aquarium burst in a Berlin hotel indicate that surviving such an explosion would be highly unlikely in reality.
Scaling Heights in Mission: Impossible II
The opening scene of Mission: Impossible II featured Ethan Hunt free-climbing at Dead Horse Point. Despite the stunning views, professional rock climber Alex Honnold pointed out some unrealistic elements. Honnold noted that scaling such heights without a rope and performing unnecessary acrobatics would be fatal in real life.
Climbing Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
One of the franchise’s highlights sees Ethan Hunt scaling 11 stories of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. When his specialized magnetic gloves fail, he relies on his climbing skills. Honnold, who has climbed the Burj Khalifa himself, stated that clinging to the chrome beams the way Hunt does would be impossible in real life.
Facing a Speeding Car in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Ghost Protocol also sees Hunt survive an encounter with a speeding car during a sandstorm in Dubai. A head-on collision at even 35 mph can be fatal. In the film, the car appears to be moving much faster, yet Hunt escapes without severe consequences.
Skydiving in a Thunderstorm and a Deadly Train Sequence
Cruise’s character again defies realistic odds in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, where he survives a skydive into a thunderstorm. Such a situation would potentially cause loss of control, trajectory disruption, and potential lightning strikes.
In Dead Reckoning, one of the franchise’s latest films, Hunt parachutes onto a moving train, which then becomes unstable. The likelihood of survival in such a scenario is slim in reality, yet the magnetic Ethan Hunt manages to escape again.
Conclusion
While these Mission: Impossible stunts are improbable and often impossible in the real world, it is their audacity that adds intrigue and thrill to the franchise. Even as Ethan Hunt performs these stunts with remarkable skill and nerve, audiences are well aware of the slim chances of survival in such situations. It’s this blend of danger and impossibility that keeps viewers hooked and contributes to the franchise’s continued success. Tom Cruise, as Ethan, continues to mesmerize us with these highly unlikely yet entertaining sequences. After all, it’s not every day we see someone escape death six times and counting!
