Mission: Impossible (1996) Review

With the release of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation fast approaching, I've decided to review each film in one of my favorite movie franchises, Mission: Impossible. All of these movies were a big help in sparking my passion for film, and I still love them to this day. First up is, of course, the first installment in the franchise that came out in 1996 and rebranded Tom Cruise as a formidable action star, which is what he has become primarily known for. This is a thoroughly entertaining spy thriller and a successful franchise starter that I think is severely underrated by its critics.

At the beginning of the film, US government operative and IMF agent Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise, is part of an operation to stop the theft of the US' NOC list during a reception at the American embassy in Prague. This mission goes terribly wrong, and Hunt realizes he is the prime suspect in a company-wide mole hunt. He must figure out a way to clear his name and find the real mole, all while evading the pursuit of IMF director Eugene Kittridge.

Cruise leads the way as the hero of the movie - and the franchise - Ethan Hunt. His performance is more nuanced than you'd expect from the star of an action film; he's coolly charismatic when he needs to be, but also knows how to play someone who looks genuinely scared and vulnerable. Jon Voight also stars as IMF agent Jim Phelps. Voight is always a welcome presence in any movie, and is effective here as someone who isn't all that they seem to be. The supporting cast is great as well, including a great turn by Henry Czerny as the aforementioned IMF director and the always-entertaining Ving Rhames in his iconic role of Luther Stickell.

While this is technically an action movie, I would classify it as a spy movie first. Those craving a big action blockbuster might be a tad bit disappointed with Mission: Impossible. Like all great spy films, the tension does not come from set pieces, but rather it comes from the impossibly complex nature of the situations these characters get into. And that's one of the things I love about this movie. Some of the big, climactic scenes, such as the opening operation at the embassy in Prague, as well as a thrilling heist right in the heart of CIA headquarters, are big and climactic not because they are large in scale, but rather because we feel the suspense and excitement emanate from the situations.

Many of the films' critics are fans (and cast members) of the original 1966 Mission: Impossible television show and its 1988 revival who felt it was far too different from what they were used to. Admittedly, the film does add its own original elements that stray from what the show did. However, I feel this was necessary. The original show came during the Cold War era, when espionage was on everyone's mind. Thus, it fit the time period. This film needed to update itself in order to appeal to a wider range of audiences, and I feel it did a good job of that. All the spy elements of the show are there; there's just a little bit more mainstream Hollywood action in there as well. I personally think the film balances those two components very well.

Mission: Impossible is a blast to watch, especially for fans of the spy genre like myself. Where the film occasionally goes wrong is with its storytelling. The plot itself makes sense when you read it on paper. However, after one viewing of the movie, it can be a little difficult to piece everything together simply because its narrative can be a little confusing at times. Certain key plot elements are never overtly revealed, but rather they are simply implied. If you don't infer some of these things, there's a chance you'll get lost. That's really the only issue I have with the film, however it can be a big one if you don't pay close attention.

All in all, this is a great spy thriller with some really solid performances and an infectious sense of fun. I always enjoy myself immensely when I watch it. If you've never seen the first Mission: Impossible film, I seriously suggest checking it out. It's great fun that doesn't insult its audience's intelligence either, even if it can be a little hard to follow and is also completely implausible. These flaws can easily be overlooked if you go into it with the sole intent of enjoying yourself. You'll surely have a good time. It's not my favorite of the series, but it kicked off the franchise with style.

A-