Mission Impossible Blunder: Sniper Expert Blasts 8-Year-Old Tom Cruise Scene as Worst Position

Summary

Former special-operations sniper critiques Tom Cruise's sniper skills in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, questioning the authenticity of his disguised rifle.

Although the rifle's accuracy is sufficient for the range, Cruise's character is in a less advantageous position compared to the other snipers in the scene.

Despite the unrealistic aspects, the Mission: Impossible franchise stands out for its ability to entertain viewers with its imaginative elements and daring stunts.

In a recent episode of Insider's How Real Is It? Podcast, Nicholas Irving, a former special-operations sniper, shared his thoughts on Tom Cruise's sniper skills in the 2015 film Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. The movie follows IMF Agent Ethan Hunt and his team as they go against a clandestine organization known as the Syndicate after being disavowed by the US Government. One pivotal scene in the film shows Cruise's character using a sniper rifle disguised as a flute to confront two other snipers assigned to assassinate the Chancellor of Austria.

During the podcast, Irving analyzed the authenticity of the scene and assessed the positions of the three characters involved. While he questioned the realism of the disguised rifle, Irving acknowledged that it could still be effective for the range Cruise's character was aiming for. However, in comparison to the positions taken by Rebecca Ferguson's character Ilsa Faust and the other Syndicate assassin, Irving deemed Cruise's character to have the least advantageous position. To hear more from Irving and watch the video, check out the comments below.

In terms of being a highly precise sniper rifle disguised as a flute, I don't believe so. The accuracy of sniper rifles mostly relies on various significant factors, particularly the barrel. Typically, sniper rifle barrels are fluted and floated, allowing for minimal disruption between the barrel and the gun stock to preserve harmonic balance when firing. The appearance of the flute suggests it is a single continuous object, which could potentially provide accuracy, especially at the distances he shoots. However, without knowing the specific caliber he uses, it is uncertain. Nevertheless, considering it's Tom Cruise, it is likely to be extremely accurate.

[I] should assign the best position to the skilled female sniper [Rebecca Ferguson]. The little room she occupies offers strategic designs on the walls, giving her a clear advantage. It allows her to shoot like using a loophole, similar to the tactics employed by snipers abroad. By creating a small opening in a wall, snipers can retreat and shoot through that hole to accurately hit targets outside. As for the individual wearing sunglasses, although he may not be in a completely concealed position, he seems to be utilizing his attire to blend in and avoid standing out. However, I must say that Tom Cruise is in the worst position.

Why Mission: Impossible’s More Fantastical Elements Make It A Better Spy Franchise

Despite Irving’s intimate knowledge of the weapons and scenarios depicted in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, his skepticism about the movie’s authenticity is understandable. Over the years, the franchise has consistently pushed the boundaries of plausibility in order to provide thrilling entertainment. From the franchise's famous use of masks and vocal emulators to Ethan Hunt’s daring and extravagant stunts, the Mission: Impossible movies have always diverged from the relatively grounded reality of actual spy work.

Content must be written in English:

Audiences who have been mesmerized by the extravagant escapades of fictional spies like James Bond and his imitators for decades find Cruise's Ethan Hunt equally captivating. This enduring appeal can be attributed to Hunt's extraordinary abilities and almost superhuman feats. Even though Bond himself has recently adopted a more realistic approach, Cruise's quick-thinking spy continues to blend advanced technology with near-impossible stunts. Notably, celebrated Bond author Charlie Higson believes that Cruise's films have surpassed the Bond franchise in terms of being a modern spy series.

Though it would be intriguing to delve into the impressive skills of Ethan Hunt as a trained sniper, Cruise repeatedly proves throughout his time in "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" and other films that showmanship outweighs realism. Once the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved, Cruise is expected to reprise his role as Hunt in "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two," providing audiences with more extraordinary feats to marvel at.

Source: Insider’s How Real Is It? Podcast/YouTube