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Mission: Impossible (1996) More at IMDbPro »

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291 comments in total

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48 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :-
Confusing, But Still Fun To Watch, 29 March 2006

Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

Here's another film I watched when it came out and then later when the DVD was released and enjoyed both viewings, despite the fact I got "lost" several times. It's about time for another look because it's well-worth it and who knows....maybe I'll finally figure it out!

If you get a little confused trying to follow the plot, don't feel stupid. This isn't an easy story to follow but it gets high marks for keeping it interesting despite that problem.

The interesting characters, good cinematography, fun James Bond-like gadgets, just the right amount of action scenes and one very memorable heist scene with Tom Cruise dangling from a wire all make this an enjoyable two hours of entertainment. That scene with Cruise trying to break into this vault-like room remains as the one of the better tension-filled scenes I've ever witnessed on the big screen.

The final action scene with the speeding train and helicopter also is very memorable. John Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Henry Czerny and Jean Reno make it a fun cast to watch, too. Note: stick with this film and forget the sequel. Despite the confusion, this film is still fun to view.

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29 out of 41 people found the following comment useful :-
At first some may consider it confusing, but its really not that bad, 24 January 2006

Author: observationalist from United States

Again the original is usually the best. And in my opinion, so far, "Mission Impossible" is no different. With a blend of action, mystery and some spy techniques, "Mission Impossible" is actually really good. The whole movie may seem to be too much at once when first viewed for some, but it really isn't. All it is, is an action movie with some decent twists that could easily throw some people off, but they are actually really simple.

Now, I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise and his lifestyle, as a matter of fact I hate to keep tabs on any celebrities life style, it makes me feel depressed that this is what it has come to. But I am a fan of Tom Cruise the actor. I have mentioned this before and sincerely believe that he is a great actor, even if he has starred in more action movies than any other genre, but he has proved that he can be good in other movies such as "Jerry Maguire", or "Inteview With the Vampire".

"Mission Impossible" is really better than most action films out there, because it actually keeps a believable plot without throwing in some excessively strong hero and a country sized army that gets killed with one magazine from a G36K. It is believable, it is memorable, and it keeps you involved and curious as to what is going on. The only problem is I usually like to watch action movies to laugh, but this one actually tried to keep it serious.

Anyway, I enjoyed this one, so if you like action movies see if this is any better.

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28 out of 44 people found the following comment useful :-
Unfaithful to the TV series, but a truly great movie, 6 May 2006

Author: mutty_mcflea from Bristol, UK

Brian De Palma's super stylish adap of the TV series packs a stick of dynamite up the show's butt and blows it wide open, often flying in the face of everything its inspiration was about but avoiding travesty status by working as an incredibly slick, exciting thriller. It's a blinder. It's true to say that most of this classy film's strongest scenes hark back to the show – the opening teaser, the astonishing credits sequence, the vault break-in – but the writers have slotted references and ideas from the series into a clever and often underrated plot, managing a tricky balancing act in paying homage to the show without slavishly adhering to it. Cracking set pieces like the aquarium explosion and the train/chopper finale are masterclasses in how to crank up tension and stage action; this is one of the most skilfully directed and edited films out there. Really. The cast is an interesting international mix, but it's The Cruiser who dominates, looking ultra cool and emanating charisma all over the place. I can see why fans of the series would hate it, but God, what a film.

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22 out of 35 people found the following comment useful :-
Thrilling Thriller, 7 February 2006

Author: no-skyline from Rochester, England

Brian De Palma delivers a kinetic live wire suspense filled espionage thriller to open the Mission Impossible franchise. The camera work is exceptional with De Palma's trademark sense of motion applied to suspenseful heists and an amazing train ride sequence during which you really get the sense of speed and danger. Also created is one of the most iconic images from any thriller of recent times Tom Cruise suspended mid heist inches from a pressure sensitive floor. Cruise lives up to his star billing and for me really nails the Ethan Hunt character, Jean Reno, Ving Rames and the stunning Emmanuelle Beart provide able support.

My one problem with this film and unfortunately quite a big problem is that the twist in the tale can be seen coming a mile off. Which is a real shame as this film is inventive, fun, stylish and everything a main stream thriller should be.

Fun but the twist in the tale doesn't have enough of a sting 7/10

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19 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :-
Slick and stylish action flick, 30 August 2005

Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

Based on the TV show of the same name, Brian De Palma's stylish thriller stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt; a James Bond-esquire secret agent working for a certain section of the government. As the title suggests, many of the scenarios in the film are extremely unlikely; but then again, the film wouldn't be living up to it's title if they weren't. It's one thing to criticise it's stunts for being overblown, but if they weren't, critics would be on it's back and calling it things like 'Mission Possible', so really you've just got to go with it. Brian De Palma makes it easy to just 'go with it' by way of an intriguing plot line, a constant array of high-octane sequences and lots of his trademark style! The plot does get a little too convoluted for it's own good at times, and sometimes it's a little hard to follow; but it gives the film a good basis for all manner of impossibilities, so it serves it's purpose. We follow Ethan Hunt and his team. After a botched mission, Hunt finds himself on the run from his employers after being accused of disloyalty. Hunt must now pull out all the stops to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and get to the bottom of why their mission went wrong.

The film features a number of stunts, the best of which sees Tom Cruise breaking into the CIA via the roof. This sequence is brilliantly executed, with De Palma managing to inject bucketloads of suspense into the scene. This scene fits the tone of the film as it's brooding and cerebral, but the film ditches that idea for it's conclusion, which sees a bullet train, a helicopter and the Channel Tunnel combine to great effect! The problem with all these stunts is that the parts between the action sequences aren't all that interesting, and at times can slow the film down to walking pace. This isn't a big problem, however, because there's always more action around every corner and that keeps the film going. Tom Cruise obviously has charisma and can lead a film, but I often find it hard to buy him in action roles. This one suits him, though, as although his character is still more than capable, he comes off as being quite vulnerable, and lucky at times, and that suits Cruise's persona. On the whole, while this isn't a great film; it makes for good entertainment and if that's what you're in the mood for, Mission: Impossible wont disappoint.

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10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Its a Decent Adaptation to the Big Screen, 13 October 2007

Author: mjw2305 from England

Tom Cruise Ethan Hunt, a secret agent framed for the deaths of his espionage team, is on the run from government assassins, as he tries to uncover the shocking who's and why's of his setup.

Cruise performs well in the role, and the support from Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames and more is strong and definitely adds plenty of body to the film.

With some good intrigue and tension, a few breathtaking stunts and a strong conspiracy style plot; Mission Impossible is a decent adaptation of the original series, without really being too familiar.

7/10 but should have been better

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6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
A tense thriller that is not (despite popular belief) impossible to follow., 8 December 1998

Author: Roisin (roisin.moriarty@gecapital.com) from London, England

I would like to reiterate what "Anonymous of Derby, England" said about this film (20th November). The fact that so many people have complained that they "didn't get it" is proof that our brains are being atrophied by so many movies that do all our thinking for us. I had no trouble in following the plot and found the fact that I actually had to concentrate and think things through quite refreshing. Okay, so a lot of the stunts were a bit far fetched but what does it matter when they were so entertaining? After all, it is only a movie; nobody expects us to believe that these things could really happen any more than they expect us to believe that King Kong really existed or that there's a Volcano ready to errupt in L.A. Besides, with the inspired casting of David Schneider as the train driver, Brian de Palma must have had his tongue in his cheek for at least some of the time. He's created a masterful boy's own adventure story, an original "ripping yarn" and that brilliant comic touch added to this perfectly.

"Mission Impossible" is a visual and cerebral treat. Tom Cruise is excellent as Ethan, Vanessa Redgrave makes a superb villian and Jean Reno is watchable in ANYTHING he does. The only weak link is Emmanuelle Beart, who did a good job of looking beautiful but very little else. What a shame Kristin Scott Thomas couldn't have taken a more central role; she makes the gorgeous but bland Beart look like a waste of space.

I give this 8 out of ten and it would have been more if it wasn't for Beart's character.

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9 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Fun., 22 January 2004
Author: Meltdown53098533 (Meltdown53098533@aol.com) from london, ont.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Cruise is Ethan Hunt, an agent that is wrongfully accused of betrayal to his organization and must set out to find the mole who was responsible. Great action scenes and suspense while we are given twists and turns aalong the way. No matter what I can't seem to find what everyone is complaining about this movie. i'll never find what they complain about, because the movie is simply and truly a crowd pleaser. I don't care at all of what the original what ever was like. I and many other people saw this movie, I and many others liked this movie, and that's all that matters. *** 1/2 out of ****

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Disgraceful, drivel, terrible (spoilers), 24 June 2001

Author: seawalker from Birmingham, England

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This was a Tom Cruise spy film. Unfortunately it was not a "Mission: Impossible" film, and that was my problem.

The overall most important element of the TV series was the plot - the heist, the robbery, the fraud, the trickery, the whatever... The team (the brain, the girl, the technician, the muscle and the actor) in effect were only there to move the plot forward. But, saying that, we really got to know and trust these anonymous agents; a tribute to such excellent actors as Peter Graves, Martin Landau and Leonard Nimoy. The first thing that this film does is kill off the team. Disgraceful! And then various members of the new team he puts together turn out to be traitors. Drivel! And then at the end of the film they completely trash the reputation of TV's greatest spy master Jim Phelps. Terrible! Sorry, but this is not the film that I wanted to see.

It says a lot that according to rumour the producers did not see fit to offer any of the original cast members of "Mission: Impossible" so much as even a silent cameo in this movie. (Imagine the great Martin Landau as the aged Rollin' Hand. What a missed opportunity). I think another case of buying a title and doing what you like with it. See "The Saint" for further details.

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7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
I Wanted More!, 21 December 2008

Author: g-bodyl from United States

Mission:Impossible is not a bad film if you look at this movie as a whole. If you break it down into pieces, negative things about this movie will unravel. This film is based off the original television series from the 60's. Basically the main character, Ethan Hunt's team was killed and is being targeted as a suspect. He must seek help from other agents to stop him from being targeted. Most of the acting is fairly decent. Tom Cruise was annoying from time to time. Jon Voight and Ving Rhames were the best. The special effects are great, but so are other special-effects movies from the 90's such as Godzilla. I had a few problems with this film. Some of the scenes were boring and pointless. There is hardly any action, just talk. If you want action, I recommend James Bond. This is nothing like the original series, but this film is good to watch and compare anyway. Based of this review, I should have rated this movie 5/10 but I give it a 7/10 due to Rhames/Voight and the special effects.

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