Mission: Impossible

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Emilio Estevez (uncredited)
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
1996

Times Seen:
Tim: 4

Summary: The popular television show gets rejuvinated onto the big screen, as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is framed for the deaths of his entire IMF team. As he attempts to simply survive, he suddenly finds himself on a trail for the real murderer leading through the CIA, back into the Impossible Missions Force.

Review:

Tim: Mission: Impossible finds its success by steering away from hardcore action and into the thriller/spy game mode. Don’t get me wrong, the film is filled with enough action throughout to keep anyone glued to the screen. However, the real success comes from Cruise looking for clues and struggling to survive in a world of espionage, contract killers, and the almighty power of information. It is the powers of the mind that outweigh a gun here.

Tom Cruise is quite good in the film. He makes for an excellent action hero, possesses both the physical strength and the superior intelligence needed to stay alive while playing a very dangerous game. His confidence is my favorite aspect of his character. He keeps his cool even in some extremely intense situations, and always acts in control- even if control is spiralling away from him.

Special mention needs to be made for the ropes scene with Cruise repelling down into the CIA to uncover the list he needs. This is one of the most intense and amazing choreographed scenes I've ever viewed in an action film. The scene is built to perfection and remains one of the biggest joys in the film to watch. The scene is incredibly memorable.

Mission: Impossible has a number of plot twists that will keep you enthralled and struggling yourself to try to figure out the mystery as Cruise does. I first saw this movie when I was 14 or 15, and I remember I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Years later, I still find myself struggling to understand what Cruise understands. Keeping who are the good guys and who are the bad guys straight can be a very trickey thing, especially in a film like this. Don’t worry though, the film tries to buck you off like you’re riding a bronco, but all the while realizes that in the end, everything will make sense, and you’ll say, “Ahhhh… I get it!”

This is an action-thrill ride that favors intelligence above just shoot ‘em up and blow ‘em action. There’s nothing wrong with films that concentrate solely on violence and explosions, but occasionally it’s nice to get away from those films, and watch one that realizes you are on the same intellect level that it is. Mission: Impossible is an incredible movie, and I think you’ll find it ‘impossible’ not to like.


Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Mission: Impossible 2, Goldeneye, Days of Thunder, The Thomas Crown Affair, Spy Game