On M List of Movie Reviews

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Mission: Impossible (1996)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 6/03, 12/04, 1/07, 1/17

1/07: It's truly an impossible mission in Mission: Impossible.

What a fine job by Tom Cruise who may have turned in the most exciting performance in years. The script, the defining moments, the gadgets, the disguise masks, and, most of all, the ending with the TGV and the helicopter are spectacular.

All in all, the "wow" factor keeps the replayability value high for Mission: Impossible.

1/17: Mission: Impossible is one of the most exciting movies in a long time.

I felt that way when I saw it at a theatre in 1996. My sentiment hasn't changed over the years. What a cast. Tom Cruise (who gives one of the best performances of his career, doing most of his own stunts including the magic trick), Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Emilio Estevez (who's uncredited), Kristin Scott Thomas, and Vanessa Redgrave are phenomenal.

There are many wonderful scenes. Three best scenes take place at the restaurant with aquarium tanks; the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia; and the TGV train going 140 MPH against the wind. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it's a Hitchcockian movie in every aspect with Brian De Palma being the perfect director.

The reason why the film has sour ratings is that fans of the TV show weren't happy with the idea of turning Jim Phelps into a traitor. To be honest with you, the movie is so good that it can be safely overlooked. I think the filmmakers should've changed his name to something else to avoid the controversy.

All in all, Mission: Impossible is an all-time great international espionage thriller with the most breathtaking ending.

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