Mission: Impossible (1996)
As much as people criticize the entertainment industry nowadays for their constant reboots and remakes, it could be argued that this trend started back in the 90s with the countless film versions of classic media staples, generally either TV shows or comics. Tom Cruise wasn't immune to this trend; in 1996, he starred in the film adaptation of the 1960s TV show Mission: Impossible. This movie had little in common with the original show, with only one shared character and a modern setting, but this doesn't matter much when Mission: Impossible went on to spawn 7 sequels. So how does it hold up 24 years later?
For the second review in a row, I have to be completely transparent and admit that I am a die-hard Mission: Impossible fan. The series is nowhere near a dramatic cinematic masterpiece (although Mission: Impossible - Fallout is pretty much an action cinematic masterpiece, but I'll expand more on that in its review), but it's just so damn fun and has so much to appreciate. The first installation in this series has its obvious flaws, like how its plot developments can become pretty goofy, but I can't be too critical about it, admittedly. While the original TV show was much less campy than some of its 60s counterparts, Mission: Impossible manages to incorporate those classic cheesy elements we associate with the television of the 60s, like the constant use of unrealistically realistic masks that everyone should know about but routinely forgets about except for Ethan for some reason. And while I respect people who might be put off by that sort of thing, I absolutely eat it up. I love it with all my heart.
In general, I find that action is my least favorite genre because of how seriously action movies take themselves sometimes, but Mission: Impossible and its sequels finds a perfect balance between silly, convoluted plots, unique action scenes, compelling character drama, and some genuinely great cinematic moments. For instance, Brian De Palma, director of Mission: Impossible, is a notorious Hitchcock fan, and starts the trend of Mission: Impossible movies referencing Hitchcock through his nod to The Lady Vanishes. However, this reference is subtle and nowhere near De Palma's crowning achievement in this film. This achievement, of course, is the scene where Ethan Hunt breaks into the CIA to steal the NOC list, a scene so infamous that it's been parodied time and time again and remains the hallmark association for this series. De Palma's approach to it is so ingenious in the broader context of action films: instead of a climatic moment being loud and overwhelming the senses in every aspect, it's dead quiet. The tension in the scene runs so thick despite so little going on that De Palma manages to make a droplet of sweat invoke dread in viewers.
While the movie does fall victim to some more standard action tropes (Ethan's not quite the sensitive lover and loyal friend he is in later films yet), it's moments like the CIA break-in that make it so wonderful to watch. It's ridiculous, but ridiculously fun with little glimmers of sleeker film making hiding just under the surface. And it's difficult for me to keep my thoughts purely on Mission: Impossible because of how much the sequels enhance this movie further, but if anything, I think it's a good sign that I have the fewest thoughts on the first movie and endless ideas generated by each sequel.
As far as Cruise's performance goes, I must admit that I'm a bit biased because I know how Ethan Hunt evolves over time and I'm a really, really big fan of the character, so I'm prone to say that I'm a fan of Cruise in this film. It may not be one of this top performances, but that's perfectly alright because Ethan doesn't quite have a defined character, yet. That's the fault of the script, sure, but looking back at this film after viewing the others is always such a delight to see where Ethan started and how he's changed over time. Even with the faults of the script, there are glimpses of Ethan as the sensitive action hero we know him to be now. But he can't be the person he came to be without all that he experienced in this movie, either, so again, I'm probably too forgiving.
But if there's one thing that Mission: Impossible proves, it's that Cruise was still very capable of leading action movies. After the disappointment of Days of Thunder, Ethan Hunt played an absolutely essential role in Cruise's career. More specifically, dramatic roles come and go -- but Cruise can be an action star forever. Remember that as I continue this rewatching journey.
I'm very inclined to say that everyone should check Mission: Impossible out, although I understand that it won't be enjoyable for every person who watches it. People who love action movies should absolutely see it, and so should anyone interested in Cruise as an actor. And if Mission: Impossible isn't your cup of tea, don't worry -- the sequels get progressively better.
Rating: 3.5/5 - March 30, 2020
For the second review in a row, I have to be completely transparent and admit that I am a die-hard Mission: Impossible fan. The series is nowhere near a dramatic cinematic masterpiece (although Mission: Impossible - Fallout is pretty much an action cinematic masterpiece, but I'll expand more on that in its review), but it's just so damn fun and has so much to appreciate. The first installation in this series has its obvious flaws, like how its plot developments can become pretty goofy, but I can't be too critical about it, admittedly. While the original TV show was much less campy than some of its 60s counterparts, Mission: Impossible manages to incorporate those classic cheesy elements we associate with the television of the 60s, like the constant use of unrealistically realistic masks that everyone should know about but routinely forgets about except for Ethan for some reason. And while I respect people who might be put off by that sort of thing, I absolutely eat it up. I love it with all my heart.
In general, I find that action is my least favorite genre because of how seriously action movies take themselves sometimes, but Mission: Impossible and its sequels finds a perfect balance between silly, convoluted plots, unique action scenes, compelling character drama, and some genuinely great cinematic moments. For instance, Brian De Palma, director of Mission: Impossible, is a notorious Hitchcock fan, and starts the trend of Mission: Impossible movies referencing Hitchcock through his nod to The Lady Vanishes. However, this reference is subtle and nowhere near De Palma's crowning achievement in this film. This achievement, of course, is the scene where Ethan Hunt breaks into the CIA to steal the NOC list, a scene so infamous that it's been parodied time and time again and remains the hallmark association for this series. De Palma's approach to it is so ingenious in the broader context of action films: instead of a climatic moment being loud and overwhelming the senses in every aspect, it's dead quiet. The tension in the scene runs so thick despite so little going on that De Palma manages to make a droplet of sweat invoke dread in viewers.
While the movie does fall victim to some more standard action tropes (Ethan's not quite the sensitive lover and loyal friend he is in later films yet), it's moments like the CIA break-in that make it so wonderful to watch. It's ridiculous, but ridiculously fun with little glimmers of sleeker film making hiding just under the surface. And it's difficult for me to keep my thoughts purely on Mission: Impossible because of how much the sequels enhance this movie further, but if anything, I think it's a good sign that I have the fewest thoughts on the first movie and endless ideas generated by each sequel.
As far as Cruise's performance goes, I must admit that I'm a bit biased because I know how Ethan Hunt evolves over time and I'm a really, really big fan of the character, so I'm prone to say that I'm a fan of Cruise in this film. It may not be one of this top performances, but that's perfectly alright because Ethan doesn't quite have a defined character, yet. That's the fault of the script, sure, but looking back at this film after viewing the others is always such a delight to see where Ethan started and how he's changed over time. Even with the faults of the script, there are glimpses of Ethan as the sensitive action hero we know him to be now. But he can't be the person he came to be without all that he experienced in this movie, either, so again, I'm probably too forgiving.
But if there's one thing that Mission: Impossible proves, it's that Cruise was still very capable of leading action movies. After the disappointment of Days of Thunder, Ethan Hunt played an absolutely essential role in Cruise's career. More specifically, dramatic roles come and go -- but Cruise can be an action star forever. Remember that as I continue this rewatching journey.
I'm very inclined to say that everyone should check Mission: Impossible out, although I understand that it won't be enjoyable for every person who watches it. People who love action movies should absolutely see it, and so should anyone interested in Cruise as an actor. And if Mission: Impossible isn't your cup of tea, don't worry -- the sequels get progressively better.
Rating: 3.5/5 - March 30, 2020
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