That uniformity makes it easy to dismiss earlier films, especially black sheep like Mission: Impossible II and III. Before McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible was a mystery box, offering something new with each new installment. Results varied, but that novelty kept audiences on their toes in a way that McQuarrie’s films, despite their incredible set pieces, don’t. While the early films largely followed the genre’s trends, McQuarrie’s films have informed a new era for action. The first five Mission: Impossible films are now streaming on Netflix.