Mission: Impossible (1996)
7 /10
9264 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Ethan Hunt
... Jim Phelps
... Claire
... Kittridge
... Krieger
User reviews
While the sequences that _Mission: Impossible_ is most famous for (the ceiling-descent and train-top) are truly thrilling, absolutely everything in between these scenes is obvious and uninspired. Rarely can a movie have you so completely engaged one minute, and then immediately back to checking the time the next.
An important film, pop-culturally speaking, but not a very good one.
_Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Director:
Writer:
David Koepp (Screenplay)
Robert Towne (Screenplay)
Steven Zaillian (Story)
Bruce Geller (Original Series Creator)
David Koepp (Story)
Release Date:
1996-05-22
Run Time:
110 min
MMPA Rating:
PG-13
Reviews of
Mission: Impossible
While the sequences that _Mission: Impossible_ is most famous for (the ceiling-descent and train-top) are truly thrilling, absolutely everything in between these scenes is obvious and uninspired. Rarely can a movie have you so completely engaged one minute, and then immediately back to checking the time the next.
An important film, pop-culturally speaking, but not a very good one.
_Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
When I first saw this movie I did not like it at all. My main gripe with the movie was (and is) that it did not feel like a Mission Impossible movie.
Spoilers ahead! In the original series the team always succeeded, at least in the episodes I watched. However, the movie starts off with a big failure. Then to make matters worse we learn that Mr. Phelps, one of the original lead characters, is actually a traitor. I was so disappointed!
Now when I watched it for the second time with my son I actually liked it a lot more. I still think it is sad that the script writers felt they had to introduce all these chock elements but trying to look past those this is a pretty good movie. I still do not think it is truly a Mission Impossible movie in the good old style of the series though.
It is a very good action/thriller movie though. Tom Cruise is really not bad in the role of Ethan Hunt and so are the rest of the actors. He is performing quite a few spectacular stunts and there are a decent amount of high tech stuff in the movie. Sure, some of the stunts and action scenes are perhaps a bit convoluted but it provides for some good cinemagic and it is fiction after all.
If this movie would not have been labelled Mission Impossible I would probably have given it another star but I cannot bring myself to completely overlook how far from the original inspiration it has strayed.
_**Well done spy/caper thriller with Tom Cruise and an eye-rolling Scooby-Doo element**_
The Impossible Missions Force has a mission at a Prague gala concerning a CIA non-official cover list, but it doesn’t go as planned. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Clair Phelps (Emmanuelle Béart) then team-up with two disavowed agents (Ving Rhames and Jean Reno) to steal the real NOC list at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, before going to London for further thrills involving the TGV train to Paris. Jon Voight and Henry Czerny are on hand as leaders of IMF while Vanessa Redgrave plays an arms dealer and Kristin Scott Thomas an IMF agent.
“Mission: Impossible” (1996) was loosely inspired by the TV series of the late 60s/early 70s and started the successful movie franchise starring Cruise. Expect convoluted dialogues, espionage gadgets, high society galas, foggy cobblestone streets, sudden deaths, globetrotting, double agents, capers and mind-blowing action.
One thing that turned me off was the several occasions where a person’s fake face is torn off à la Scooby-Doo. Once would’ve been enough, but three times? What were the writers thinking? Other than that cavil, this is a quality spy/caper flick; it’s just too tortuous for my tastes with not enough human interest.
The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was shot in Prague; London, Pinewood Studios & various other areas in England; and McLean, Virginia, & Washington DC.
GRADE: B-
**Mission: Impossible thrives on a more localized story, trading massive stunts and action set pieces for a greater focus on spycraft, theft, and espionage.**
Mission: Impossible operates on a much smaller scale than its successors and benefits from a more contained story. The action and suspense are more personal, and the danger more intimate than in later installments. The first entry in the Mission: Impossible film franchise blends spy thriller, murder mystery, and heist movie into one heart-pounding and compelling film. Paranoia runs rampant as agent Ethan Hunt is betrayed time and time again while trying to uncover who murdered his fellow agents and prevent the murder of many more. Mission: Impossible is iconic with its classic hanging inches above the floor moment and established a billion-dollar franchise. While some of the effects are dated and some of the acting a little cliche, Mission: Impossible remains a hallmark spy movie that is a must-see for any action or film fan.
Man, when this came out I was thinking that we are going to have another James Bond franchise only with an American and I was super stoked about it.
Unfortunately I got my wish. This is really the only one worth watching and M:I2 just destroyed the series that didn't have the sense to die.
But....what you have here is 3 Days of the Condor, directed by De Palma, with lots of action.
No, I'm not joking, it's really 3 Days of the Condor with less plot and tension and more action and shooting. And Cruise instead of Redford, which actually is a pretty even swap from one generation to another...only Redford is still the better actor and Cruise only really acts when he wants to.
So, yeah, if you saw 3 Days of the Condor you know what is going on. Just make it international, push up the RPMs, add a soundtrack by 1/2 of U2 and you have Mission:Impossible.
But, despite that, it's really fun and enjoyable.
.
I'm not the biggest fan of the diminutive Mr Cruise - but I have to hand it to him here. Brian de Palma has created an end-to-end action adventure and he is superb in it. He brings oodles of charisma to the screen as he ("Ethan Hunt") has to recover from a disastrous mission and build a team to discover not only who betrayed them, but to obtain a top secret list of American overseas operatives (i.e. spies) before it falls into enemy hands spelling doom for all concerned. What ensues is a fast-paced, well constructed movie that moves along cohesively with plenty going on - loads of tension, suspicion, nobody knowing whom to trust coupled with plenty of exciting stunts and a classy performance from Vanessa Redgrave bringing some gravitas to the proceedings as the stylish, but ruthless, "Max". Sure, it relies on tech and CGI a lot of the time, but the ensemble - Ving Rhames, Emmanuelle Béart and Jon Voight all deliver well into a plot that keeps us guessing until well into the denouement. Even Henry Czerny - not noted for the flexibility of his performances - turns in a decent effort and the ending might make you think twice before using the Chunnel! If you're looking for a good, high-octane piece of cinema; then this is certainly up there - on a big screen, if you can.
Having seen this multiple times, the twists are known. But the movie surprisingly holds up minus a few technology things. Cruise is still a baby in this movie and not the Ethan Hunt we get to know.
The turns and twists in the movie are good but often underdeveloped or unexplained. They need to spend about 90 more seconds to explain a few things. Wish some of the characters were either more developed or out of the film. Some unnecessary items make the film drag a bit.
Overall, enjoyed the movie and what ends up being an introduction to an ongoing franchise that wows at every stop.
Cast & Crew of
Mission: Impossible
Cast
... Ethan Hunt
... Jim Phelps
... Claire
... Kittridge
... Krieger
... Luther
... Sarah Davies
... Max
... Hannah
... Drunken Female IMF Agent
... Drunken Male IMF Agent
... Kittridge Technician
... TV Interviewer
... CIA Analyst William Donloe
... Matthias
... Max's Companion
... Diplomat Rand Housman
... Mayor Brandl
... Jaroslav Reid
... Denied Area Security Guard
... Denied Area Security Guard
... Sky News Man
... Flight Attendant
... CNN Reporter
... Cleaning Woman
... Kiev Room Agent
... Kiev Room Agent
... Kiev Room Agent
... Kiev Room Agent
... Kiev Room Agent
... Kiev Room Agent
... Train Engineer
... Female Executive in Train
... CIA Agent
... CIA Lobby Guard
... CIA Escort Guard
... CIA Agent
... Public Official
... MI5 Agent
... Large man
... Margaret Hunt
... Donald Hunt
... Steward on Train
... Air Stewardess
... Frank Barnes
... Golitsyn
... Zozimov
... Jack Harmon (uncredited)
... Fireman (uncredited)
... Student (uncredited)
... Car Driver (uncredited)
... Man on Plane (uncredited)
... Passenger on Train in Tunnel (uncredited)
... Train Guard (uncredited)
... Female Executive in Train (uncredited)
Crew
... Original Music Composer
... Producer
... Music Editor
... Editor
... Production Design
... Costume Design
... Director of Photography
... Screenplay
... Stunt Coordinator
... Director
... Screenplay
... Producer
... Makeup Artist
... Special Effects
... Story
... Main Title Theme Composer
... Original Series Creator
... Extras Casting
... Casting
... Casting
... Associate Producer
... Executive Producer
... Costume Design
... Art Direction
... Supervising Art Director
... Still Photographer
... Prosthetic Makeup Artist
... Dialect Coach
... Location Manager
... Boom Operator
... Steadicam Operator
... Set Costumer
... Sound Recordist
... Software Engineer
... Art Department Coordinator
... Grip
... Assistant Costume Designer
... Sculptor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... 3D Modeller
... Assistant Art Director
... Location Scout
... Costume Supervisor
... Production Coordinator
... Camera Operator
... Dialogue Editor
... First Assistant Director
... Hairstylist
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Gaffer
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects Producer
... Aerial Camera
... Production Accountant
... Digital Compositors
... Sound Mixer
... Key Grip
... Armorer
... Digital Effects Supervisor
... Propmaker
... Transportation Captain
... Color Timer
... Production Illustrator
... Driver
... Makeup Effects
... Utility Stunts
... Best Boy Electric
... Casting Associate
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Unit Production Manager
... Unit Publicist
... Visual Effects Editor
... First Assistant Director
... Orchestrator
... Sound Designer
... First Assistant Camera
... Carpenter
... Script Supervisor
... Production Manager
... Set Designer
... Post Production Supervisor
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Art Director
... Unit Manager
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Electrician
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Second Unit Director
... Stunts
... Set Decoration
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Digital Compositor
... Visual Effects Camera
... Title Designer
... Special Effects Assistant
... Special Effects Technician
... Stunt Double
... Third Assistant Director
... Foley Mixer
... VFX Director of Photography
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Contact Lens Technician
... Foley Artist
... Assistant Dialogue Editor
... Visual Effects Designer
... Concept Artist
... Dressing Prop
... ADR Editor
... Second Assistant Director
... Supervising Carpenter
... Utility Sound
... Executive Assistant
... Assistant Production Coordinator
... Assistant Camera
... Wardrobe Assistant
... Assistant Editor
... Colorist
... Wardrobe Supervisor
... Assistant Accountant
... Key Production Assistant
... Conductor
... Catering
... Location Assistant
... Project Manager
... Accountant
... Assistant Location Manager
... Negative Cutter
... Clapper Loader
... Digital Effects Producer
... Production Assistant
... Technical Advisor
... Pyrotechnician
... Production Secretary
... Set Runner
... Dialogue Coach
... Assistant Director
... Visual Effects Editor
... Story
... Theme Song Performance
... Theme Song Performance
... Stunt Double
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Musician
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Musician
... Musician
... Second Second Assistant Director
... VFX Director of Photography
... Foley Editor
Similar Movies To
Mission: Impossible
Project Ghazi (2019)
6/10
Pakistan’s first superhero film Project Ghazi project has been a hot topic in the entertainment industry of Pakistan ever since the project was announced last year. Humayun Saeed, Shehryar Munawar and Syra Shahroz will be seen in lead roles.
Release: 2019-03-29
The Holcroft Covenant (1985)
5.5/10
A man who was a confidant of Adolf Hitler dies and leaves a fortune to make amends for his Nazi past—but his son has to search the world to find it.
Release: 1985-09-20
Fox Hunt (1996)
0/10
TV buff, Jack Fremont, uses his knowledge to stop a nuclear attack by a Russian seeking recognition for his work in television and espionage.
Release: 1996-01-01
Double Agents (1959)
5.4/10
Robert Hossein, Marina Vlady, Robert Le Beal. A brilliant "little" spy film. Hossein and Vlady play mysterious characters who meet up one night in a lonely cabin in the wilds of Normandy. They are both spies, but whom do they work for-the Allies or the Nazis.
Release: 1959-09-09
20th Century Boys: Beginning of the End (2008)
6.7/10
In 1969, Kenji, an elementary school kid and his friends built a secret base during their summer holidays. They fantasized that they had to fight villains who were out to conquer the world and wrote them in the Book of Prophecies. Years later in 1997, Kenji becomes a convenience store manager and leads a regular life after giving up his dreams to become a rock star. His boring life is suddenly turned upside down when his old classmate dies mysteriously and an entire family in the neighbourhood disappears. At the same time, a religious cult and its mysterious leader, Friend emerges and a strange chain of events duplicating exactly the events described in the Book of Prophecies follow. Is this the beginning of the end of the world? Who is Friend?
Release: 2008-08-19
The Ambushers (1967)
4.929/10
When an experimental flying saucer crashes, secret agent Matt Helm has to bring back the secret weapons hidden on board.
Release: 1967-12-22
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: -A Wakening of the Trailblazer- (2010)
6.3/10
The year is 2314 AD, two years have passed since the defeat of the Innovades and the exposure of the A-Laws' crimes against humanity. The A-Laws have been abolished and their infrastructure integrated into the Earth Sphere Federation Army. However, the world's exposure to GN Particles has resulted in many people awakening as True Innovators. Celestial Being has returned to the shadows to rebuild and quietly observe the infantile peace. However, an abandoned probe from an expedition to Jupiter 130 years ago approaches Earth bringing a new crisis with it, one that threatens all of mankind. While Celestial Being begins their final mission to save humanity from an unimaginable threat, Gundam Meister Setsuna F. Seiei is about to discover the true purpose of his evolution as an Innovator. Aeolia Schenberg's plan has moved into its final stage...
Release: 2010-09-18
Falling Down (1993)
7.393/10
An ordinary man frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.
Release: 1993-02-26
Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (1993)
7.863/10
While enjoying the flower gardens, Sailor Moon and friends encounter an old childhood friend of Mamoru's: an alien! He's come back to give Mamoru a special flower but doesn't like Usagi and the rest of the planet's inhabitants. Sailor Moon must defend the earth from the evil Kisenian Flower he's brought back... before the evil vines and blossoms overrun the planet!
Release: 1993-12-05
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
6.13/10
During the Civil War, a Union spy, Andrews, is asked to lead a band of Union soldiers into the South so that they could destroy the railway system. However, things don't go as planned when the conductor of the train that they stole is on to them and is doing everything he can to stop them. Based on a true story.
Release: 1956-06-08
The Street with No Name (1948)
6.3/10
After two gang-related killings in "Center City," a suspect (who was framed) is arrested, released on bail...and murdered. Inspector Briggs of the FBI recruits a young agent, Gene Cordell, to go undercover in the shadowy Skid Row area (alias George Manly) as a potential victim of the same racket. Soon, Gene meets Alec Stiles, neurotic mastermind who's "building an organization along scientific lines." Stiles recruits Cordell, whose job becomes a lot more dangerous.
Release: 1948-07-14
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001)
6.668/10
The Team Rocket leader, Giovanni, has found Mewtwo in a remote area of the Johto region. As Giovanni tries to re-capture Mewtwo, Ash and his friends are kidnapped by Domino, a new Team Rocket member, while trying to rescue Pikachu from Jessie and James. The Clone Pokemon are also captured and are then used as bait for Mewtwo. The situation then becomes a battle between the wills of Mewtwo and Giovanni; and Mewtwo also tries to discover if it and the clones have a purpose in life, even though they are products of science.
Release: 2001-08-17
Americanski Blues (1995)
5/10
An LA cop on vacation in Russia is mistaken for a US federal agent and gets pulled into involvement with the Russian Mafia.
Release: 1995-08-22
The Visitor from the Future (2022)
6.323/10
In a devastated future, the apocalypse threatens the Earth. The last hope lies with a man capable of time travel. His mission: to return to the past and change the course of events. But the time police hunts him down in every era. A race against time begins for the Visitor from the Future...
Release: 2022-09-07
Hot Diamonds in Cold Blood (1967)
0/10
When $300,000,000 in diamonds are stolen from a fiery plane wreck the British Government become concerned that it might be part of a plot to undermine the value of sterling. They hire professional photographer, amateur lady-killer, and undercover agent Steve Norton to investigate.
Release: 1967-09-30
True Lies (1994)
7.079/10
A fearless, globe-trotting, terrorist-battling secret agent has his life turned upside down when he discovers his wife might be having an affair with a used car salesman while terrorists smuggle nuclear war heads into the United States.
Release: 1994-07-15
The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002)
4.5/10
A counterterrorism specialist is assigned by the President to track down a terrorist who is suspected of planning to set off a nuclear device in the U.S.
Release: 2002-01-20
Digimon Frontier: Revival of Ancient Digimon (2002)
7.2/10
Takuya Kanbara, Koji Minamoto, J.P. Shibayama, Zoe Orimoto, Tommy Himi, Bokomon, Neemon ride a Trailmon (Ball) through a desert when they get caught in a battle between human and beast Digimon. It is interrupted by the Lost Island, an island trapped between dimensions, crashing down between them and scooping all involved up.
Release: 2002-07-20
Dangerous Flowers (2006)
4/10
Five undercover agents, each with her own specialty, must combat international terrorists who have come to Thailand. They must use every resources available and known to them as this mission will be one that is unlike any they have known.
Release: 2006-01-26
Natural Causes (1994)
5/10
An American links her mothers death in Bankok to a plot involving Vietnamese refugees.
Release: 1994-04-01