Comparing Jason Bourne and Mission: Impossible: Which Franchise Reigns Supreme?

The debate over whether Jason Bourne movies are better than Mission: Impossible films often comes down to personal preference. Both franchises have their strengths and unique styles. Let's explore the nuances of each series and determine which one reigns supreme.

Jason Bourne Movies

Tone and Style

The Bourne series is known for its gritty realism, character-driven narratives, and psychological depth. The action sequences are often more grounded and intense, focusing on hand-to-hand combat and realistic scenarios. The films offer a stark contrast to the hyper-stylized action found in the Mission: Impossible series.

Character Development

Jason Bourne, portrayed by Matt Damon, is a complex character grappling with identity and memory loss. This adds emotional weight to the story, making the films more character-driven and introspective. The focus is on internal struggles rather than external action, giving the audience a deeper connection with the protagonist.

Cinematography

The films often feature a subdued color palette and a documentary-style visual approach, enhancing the realism. The cinematography is washed out and grainy, immersing the viewer in the claustrophobic world of Jason Bourne, making the films feel more grounded and authentic.

Mission: Impossible Movies

Tone and Style

The Mission: Impossible series leans towards high-octane, over-the-top action with elaborate stunts and a more lighthearted tone. The films often include intricate heists and espionage elements, creating a unique blend of excitement and wit. While the tone is lighter, it often sacrifices depth for spectacle, focusing more on the action and the thrill of the mission.

Character Development

Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is a charismatic lead who often provides the comedic relief in the films. The focus is on the action and spectacle rather than deep character exploration. This can make the characters seem more shallow and less relatable, contrasting with the complex and introspective nature of Jason Bourne.

Stunts and Innovation

Mission: Impossible is famous for its groundbreaking stunts, many of which are performed by Tom Cruise himself, adding to the thrill and excitement. However, this also means that the series can sometimes rely too heavily on these stunts, sometimes at the expense of character development and story coherence.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you prefer character-driven stories with a darker tone, you might favor the Bourne series. If you enjoy thrilling action sequences and clever plots with a bit of humor, you might lean towards Mission: Impossible. Both franchises have their merits and have garnered dedicated fan bases, making them iconic in the action genre.

While both series are trying to do very different things, it is clear how each has evolved over time. The Bourne series took a tired genre - the spy thriller - and reinvigorated it in such a way that every film in the genre made after The Bourne Supremacy has been influenced by it to some degree. They've become more plausible at least in physical terms, more world-weary, less black and white, and more driven by visceral action sequences.

Mission: Impossible, on the other hand, has a very different trajectory. The original film was a cargo-cult version of the TV series: on the surface, it had all the bits you remembered, but they were done by people who didn't really understand how the series worked. JJ Abrams' take on the series with MI:3 improved things further still. He produced a film much closer in tone and style to the original, while also including some genuinely smart additions of its own.

While the quality of the series themselves is important, it is also worth noting that each franchise has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s my personal ranking from worst to best:

Mission: Impossible Jason Bourne (2011) Mission: Impossible 2 Mission: Impossible 3 Jason Bourne Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation Mission: Impossible: Fallout Supremacy / Ultimatum (best viewed as a single story in two parts) The Bourne Identity

While recognizing that they are trying to do very different things, the overall trend with Jason Bourne is downward since The Bourne Supremacy, whereas Mission: Impossible has managed a consistent upward trend from episode to episode.