The Mission Impossible and Tenet franchises have consistently pushed the boundaries of action cinema, delivering heart-pumping sequences that leave audiences on the edge of their seats. While computer-generated imagery (CGI) has become an integral part of modern filmmaking, these five action scenes from the franchises showcase the incredible feats that can be achieved without relying on CGI.
1. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – Burj Khalifa Sequence
One of the most iconic action sequences in the Mission Impossible franchise is the Burj Khalifa scene from Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. In this scene, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team infiltrate the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, to prevent a terrorist attack. The sequence features Cruise performing a series of death-defying stunts, including scaling the exterior of the building and jumping from one floor to another.
No CGI Required
What makes this sequence stand out is that it was achieved entirely without CGI. Cruise performed the stunts himself, using a combination of wire work, stunt doubles, and clever camera angles to create the illusion of him scaling the building. The sequence was filmed over several days, with Cruise performing the stunts multiple times to capture the desired footage.
2. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – Motorcycle Chase
The motorcycle chase sequence in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is another standout action scene that defied CGI. In this scene, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are pursued by a group of mercenaries on motorcycles through the streets of Austria. The sequence features Cruise performing a series of daring stunts, including jumping over obstacles and performing high-speed turns.
No CGI Needed
The motorcycle chase was achieved using a combination of real motorcycles, stunt drivers, and clever camera angles. The stunt team used a variety of techniques, including wire work and rigging, to create the illusion of the motorcycles performing impossible stunts. The sequence was filmed over several days, with the stunt team performing the stunts multiple times to capture the desired footage.
3. Mission Impossible: Fallout – HALO Jump
The HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) jump sequence in Mission Impossible: Fallout is one of the most intense action scenes in the franchise. In this scene, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team perform a HALO jump from 25,000 feet, free-falling towards the ground before opening their parachutes.
No CGI Required
What makes this sequence stand out is that it was achieved entirely without CGI. Cruise performed the HALO jump himself, using a combination of specialized equipment and training to ensure his safety. The sequence was filmed using a combination of cameras, including a helicopter-mounted camera and a camera attached to Cruise’s helmet.
4. Tenet – Car Chase
The car chase sequence in Tenet is another standout action scene that defied CGI. In this scene, the main characters, played by John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, engage in a high-speed car chase through the streets of Estonia. The sequence features a variety of stunts, including high-speed turns, jumps, and crashes.
No CGI Needed
The car chase was achieved using a combination of real cars, stunt drivers, and clever camera angles. The stunt team used a variety of techniques, including wire work and rigging, to create the illusion of the cars performing impossible stunts. The sequence was filmed over several days, with the stunt team performing the stunts multiple times to capture the desired footage.
5. Tenet – Train Sequence
The train sequence in Tenet is another action-packed scene that defied CGI. In this scene, the main characters, played by John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, engage in a high-stakes battle on a moving train. The sequence features a variety of stunts, including hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and explosions.
No CGI Required
What makes this sequence stand out is that it was achieved entirely without CGI. The stunt team used a combination of real trains, stunt performers, and clever camera angles to create the illusion of the action taking place on a moving train. The sequence was filmed over several days, with the stunt team performing the stunts multiple times to capture the desired footage.
Conclusion
These five action scenes from the Mission Impossible and Tenet franchises showcase the incredible feats that can be achieved without relying on CGI. From scaling the exterior of the Burj Khalifa to performing a HALO jump, these sequences demonstrate the power of practical stunts and clever camera work. As the action genre continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how filmmakers use a combination of practical stunts and CGI to create even more breathtaking action sequences in the future.
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