The pinnacle of spy movies. The humble start of what would become one of the best and most consistent film franchises of all time. The tension building in this movie is perfect, the stunt work is incredible, the slow methodical scenes are nail biting edge of your seat watching.

i trust ethan hunt with my entire life

with final reckoning about to arrive, why not start from the beginning? and while the original m:i film is not the best of the bunch, it’s still a very good start to this spy-action saga, with a star-studded cast led by cruise’s charm and mixed with an effective musical score and the well creative action sequences... It’d be impossible to discuss this film without Tom Cruise himself, as the role of Ethan Hunt, he clearly portrays someone who is given a heavy task to find out the mole that has framed him. He shares a lot of charm with his team and gives good chemistry whenever he’s on-screen, but his character is definitely flawed and he nails it with his expressions giving you a sense of how his character feels... Aside from Tom Cruise, the entire cast here is truly outstanding here, especially Ving Rhames and Henry Czerny, but i’d also compliment both Jean Reno and Emmanuelle Beart, as their appearance helps our main “team” feel more realized and is handled well because of the script overall... De Palma’s direction is a nice standout from the series, he easily is the one that has a certain style to the film, very old school, using interesting filming techniques (mainly dutch angles, & long takes), not to mention how he uses the narrative in balancing the action with the story overall... The script is overall a mixed bag for me, i think it’s exposition (a common notion for every film in the series), was handled well when it comes to our main team element in the film, the banter and dialogue they shared definitely feel more relatable and help the planning feel authentic. That being said however this story overall can be a bit of a confusing film to follow, along with the revelations of who’s working for whom may seem to be lost in the shuffle due to it’s convoluted outcome of how it’s executed in my end Out of all the films so far, this is definitely the most spy-espionage out of all of them, completely white-knuckled, mixed with such stellar editing to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Some are incredibly performed from the stunts from Cruise (CIA Heist, Aquarium Jump & Train Chase), while suffering a bit from dated CGI effects Of all the M:I films, Elfman’s score is the most subtle feeling out of them all, aside from the iconic theme, his distinctive style that combines dark, brooding melodies with energetic motifs, create an atmospheric level of high stakes in this movie.... Not a strong start, but a good way to start off this spy-action series with a ton of iconic action set pieces and a group of cast members that deliver their A-game especially with it’s leading actor in Tom Cruise (as well as Rhames and Czerny) , some enjoyable dialogue and decent characters, despite it’s story feeling “odd” in comparison to the rest of the series, and a script overall that is just “meh”... As a beginning entry to this franchise, the original Mission Impossible film may seem like a long way back to how far this series has gone for the past 30 years, with it’s more spy-oriented espionage level of action and a more subtle use of it’s characters, while still shambling from it’s overall storytelling that can be a little odd to the later ones. With that said the film is not without it’s highlights whether it’s Cruise’s performance, the cast, it’s incredible action sequences and the stunt work dedicated to it all, along with Elfman’s score. It’s not the best, but a really solid starting point... -flickswithmigs

Film Review: "Mission: Impossible" (1996) The first "Mission: Impossible" film, directed by Brian De Palma, sets the tone for what would become a blockbuster franchise, but in many ways, it stands apart from its successors. Unlike the more action-driven sequels, this film leans heavily into the thriller genre, creating a distinctive atmosphere that feels more focused on tension and intrigue than pure spectacle. While this approach offers its own strengths, it also reveals some of the film's shortcomings. One of the key issues with this debut installment is its struggle to find a consistent identity. At times, "Mission: Impossible" wants to be a suspenseful thriller, with slow-building tension, plot twists, and character-driven moments. At other times, it leans into the action-heavy stunts and set pieces that have become the hallmark of the series. This tonal inconsistency can make the film feel somewhat uneven, particularly when compared to later entries that fully embrace their action-packed nature. That said, the film opens with a strong first act that immediately draws you in. The sudden and shocking elimination of Ethan Hunt's team sets a gripping narrative in motion, establishing stakes and intensity right from the start. Tom Cruise delivers a solid performance, albeit a more subdued one than in later films, as Ethan navigates the treacherous world of espionage. It’s interesting to see a younger Cruise in a role that requires more acting chops than pure action heroics. He brings a stoic presence to the character, though there are moments when you feel there could be more emotional depth. Brian De Palma's direction is commendable, particularly in crafting the film’s more suspenseful scenes. The camera work is especially effective in the first act, capturing the tension and shock of the team's downfall. John Voight stands out with a strong performance, and Ving Rhames brings an unexpected charm to his role as the hacker, playing against the typical typecasting one might expect. The film does suffer from pacing issues that occasionally detract from the tension. However, it recovers well in standout moments, particularly the CIA heist sequence. This scene is masterfully executed, with tight cinematography and a clever use of silence that heightens the suspense. Watching Ethan's plan unfold without music is a brilliant choice, creating one of the most memorable moments in the film. The final act ramps up the tension as the plot comes to a head, but it’s here that some of the film’s weaker elements come to the forefront. The visual effects, especially in the climactic helicopter scene in the tunnel, haven’t aged well and can feel a bit out of place in a film that otherwise tries to maintain a sense of realism. Overall, "Mission: Impossible" is an enjoyable mix of thriller and action, though it may have benefitted from focusing more on the former. The film has its flaws, with some pacing issues and uneven visual effects, but it still provides solid entertainment, good performances, and moments of genuine suspense. It’s a decent start to a franchise that would evolve significantly over time. Rating: 7.3/10 #MissionImpossible #FilmReview #TomCruise #BrianDePalma #Thriller #Action #ClassicCinema #1990sFilm

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it [...]," this first Mission: Impossible is a huge action classic directed by Brian De Palma. This 1996 film successfully transposes a 60s-70s series and creates a final twist and a damn good turnaround. In terms of casting, Tom Cruise creates a stunt that will become a cult classic, and this stunt won't STOP HIM. The casting isn't the best, but we do get two French actors, namely Jean Reno and Emmanuel Béart (cock-a-doodle-doo). Jon Voigt plays the villain perfectly, and finally ViNg Rhames is funny, but in a good way, and is the only actor (besides Tom Cruise) to appear in all eight films. In terms of the editing, we travel to several countries, as in every Mission: Impossible. The film creates immense tension when we first see it, and we are completely gripped and kept on the edge of our seats. As for the stunts, there are some incredible ones, especially the one on the train, or the one to access the computer in the void. Technically, the first installment was directed by the great Brian de Palma (Scarface, Dead End, The Untouchables, etc.), who delivers an incredible film. Unfortunately, he won't return to direct the other installments because each film was supposed to be directed by a different director (which wouldn't happen after the sixth installment). In any case, it's a thrilling film, mixing action, espionage, and a bit of humor, marking the beginning of a saga that could have died out in the third film.