Called back from his rock-climbing holiday, special agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is briefed by his commanding officer Swanbeck (Anthony Hopkins). Explaining that the Russian scientist Nekhorovich is dead, and that rogue agent Ambrose is attempting to secure the deadly Chimera virus, Swanbeck turns the conversation around to professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton).

"Miss Hall and Ambrose had a relationship, which he took very seriously," Swanbeck explains. "She walked away and he has wanted her back ever since. I believe that she is the surest and quickest way of finding him."

"And then what?"

"Make sure she gets him to confide in her, and report to you."

Hunt eyes Swanbeck suspiciously.

"You made it sound as if I was recruiting her for her skills as a thief."

"Well, then I misled you, or you made a wrong assumption. Either way, we are asking her to resume her prior relationship, not do anything she hasn't already done. Voluntarily, I might add."

Hunt scowls.

"No. She's got no training for this kind of thing."

"To be with a man and lie to him? She's a woman. She's got all the training she needs."

"I don't think I can get her to do it."

"You mean it will be difficult?"

"Very."

Swanbeck pauses, a mischievous smile playing around his lips.

"Well, this isn't Mission Difficult, Mr Hunt, it's Mission Impossible."

See also: The Hudsucker Proxy, Swimming With Sharks, Office Space

Don't see also: Working Girl

Pointless trivia: M:I2 director John Woo has also worked under the names Yusen Wu, Wu Hsiang-Fei and Yu-Sam Ng.