Review of 'Mission: Impossible'
1st film in the 'Mission: Impossible' series
Based on the television series of the same name, this first instalment in Tom Cruise's “Mission: Impossible” franchise sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as an agent of an Impossible Missions Force (IMF) team led by Jim Phelps (Jon Voight). Tasked with stopping a rogue agent from stealing the CIA's NOC (non-official cover) list. When the operation goes wrong, all members of the team including Phelps are killed but Hunt escapes. Learning from director Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) that the operation was intended to flush out a mole and with Hunt being the sole survivor and a mysterious sum of money deposited into his mortgage, it is obvious they believe Hunt is the mole. Escaping, Hunt begins correspondence with “Max” (Vanessa Redgrave), who is Job's NOC list buyer to try to uncover the mole. Seeking to establish Max's trust he assembles a team of blacklisted or disavowed intelligence agents, including computer expert Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and pilot Franz Krieger (Jean Reno) to steal the REAL NOC list from the CIA in Langley. The unexpected return of one of his team members means Hunt begins to question everything he thinks he knows…
A great adaptation of the television series, updated for the big screen with incredible effects but also the wild story with interesting plot twists and cool technological gadgets, never mind good old traditional spy craft. Cruise is great in the role as the extremely competent (perhaps unbelievably so) IMF agent, in over his head as he tries to peal back the lies to expose the truth – Ever cool and calm, adapting to everything and anything thrown at him with the world, of course, out to bring him down. This is a film that is not afraid to take it's time telling the story but it does not drag with the plot and action proceeding well but not so much that it is impossible to follow what is going on (it does demand a bit of attention though)…though the twists are quite amazing and unexpected.
The action sequences are generally quite modest in scope but have a degree of intimacy that draw you in such as the sequence featuring Hunt stealing the NOC list from the ludicrously protected CIA offices in Langley where Cruise dangles from a long cable with his face literally inches from a floor that, if touched, will set off the alarms - Yes, it is a heist film as well as a spy film, which I think makes it far more interesting than other films of it's kind. Heads and shoulders above a typical 007 film, this is one that has everything those films have (attractive leading man, check, spy gadgets, check, crazy action, check…complicated and interesting plot, not so much).
This very much sets the tone for the sequels that follow. A fun film that will keep you guessing up to the very end…and beyond.
Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”
Review Date: 2025-06-01
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Year: 1996
Length: 110 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117060/