Alex and James briefly turn their attention away from James Bond to discuss the adventures of Ethan Hunt.

We take a look at the Mission: Impossible series, how it evolved over the course of eight films, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. Plus, keeping things on topic, we attempt to answer whether Tom Cruise's stunt-filled outings serve as a suitable alternative to Bond for classic fans who weren't won over by Daniel Craig's grittier, more grounded films.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on Mission: Impossible vs James Bond, so please email us via [email protected]. You can find us on Facebook (just search 'Bond & Beyond'), Twitter (@bondbeyondpod) and all our episodes are at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com.