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Movies / Upcoming / Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible

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Mission: Impossible (1996)

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Reviews Counted:43

Fresh:24

Rotten:19

Average Rating:5.8/10

Consensus: Full of special effects, Brian DePalma's update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes convoluted.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, leader of a crack squad of intelligence operatives, in this labyrinthine action-thriller based on the hit 1960s-'70s television series. When a dangerous mission in... Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, leader of a crack squad of intelligence operatives, in this labyrinthine action-thriller based on the hit 1960s-'70s television series. When a dangerous mission in Prague goes inexplicably wrong, Hunt finds himself out in the cold. A mole has infiltrated the CIA, and suspicions are that it's Hunt. His only chance: Find out who the real mole is and turn the tables. The plan takes him on an incredibly suspenseful infiltration of CIA security, leading to a spectacular chunnel climax that would make Hitchcock proud. Thanks to crisp, inventive direction from Brian De Palma and Danny Elfman's dynamite electronica score (including a catchy update of the original Lalo Schifrin theme), this mission is great fun. The talented roster of stars backing Cruise includes Ving Rhames, Vanessa Redgrave, John Voight, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Jean Reno. A witty script by Robert Towne (CHINATOWN, SHAMPOO) and David Koepp keeps the ball rolling in unexpected directions, with the paranoia always set to high. A box-office record-setter during its original release, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE led to a well-deserved sequel, also with Cruise and Rhames. [More]

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Beart

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Beart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave

Director: Brian De Palma

Director: Brian De Palma
Screenwriter: Robert Towne, David Koepp, Steven Zaillian
Producer: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner
Composer: Danny Elfman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Mission: Impossible

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
10/29/08
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

It's a mission De Palma shouldn't have chosen to accept.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/18/08
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Nimble, expertly contrived summer entertainment that doesn't insult the intelligence.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
05/20/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The most dour, sexless piece of escapism in memory.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
05/20/08
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite the snags, De Palma remains a virtuoso puppet-master, pulling the strings taut in a nail-biting robbery sequence, switching from micro to macro with Hitchcockian panache, and finally letting rip with a hell-for-leather climax.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...succeeds in offering up several exciting and suspenseful sequences, though one can't help but wish that the dialogue-based moments packed the same sort of punch.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
05/06/06
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Each scene in and of itself plays very interestingly, even if they don't always logically lead one into the next scene.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/14/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

An incredibly boring and confusing espionage thriller...So inept on so many levels that it could easily be called The Bonfire of the Secret Agents.

comment Comment
01/23/06
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

Unfortunately, two scenes and a screwed up script, plus a big plot disappointment, do not a recommendation make.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

A solid piece of summer escapist entertainment.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
01/08/05
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Check your brain at the door, wallow in the special effects, and ride it out until September when good old-fashioned action will once again prevail.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

I was riveted.

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

A non-stop fun run through Europe and the CIA headquarters.

Full Review Source: Film Scouts | comment Comment
04/17/02
Leslie Rigoulot
Leslie Rigoulot
Film Scouts

Humorless, charmless and flat.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/18/02
Hal Hinson
Hal Hinson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A smart, cool movie that not only admits its TV origins but celebrates them.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

Knows enough about style that it's absorbing to watch even when nothing much is going on.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

A sleek, stunningly made movie.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor
Salon.com

Brainless summer fun

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment 1 Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Starts with a whimper... and, you guessed it... self-destructs.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

Great start, but the movie keeps fighting its own internal logic.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for Mission: Impossible

August 07, 2009: October Road Creators Accept Abrams' Mission: Impossible Opens in new window
Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams have taken a step forward with the fourth "Mission: Impossible," hiring "October Road" creators Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec to write the screenplay. More...

June 18, 2009: Cruise and Abrams Embark on Fourth Mission: Impossible Opens in new window
Confirming earlier rumors, J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise have announced plans to collaborate -- at least in a production capacity -- on a fourth "Mission: Impossible" film. More...

March 18, 2009: Tom Cruise Working on Another Mission: Impossible? Opens in new window
Wait, did Tom Cruise just tell a Japanese television host that he's working on the story for a fourth "Mission: Impossible" movie? More...

February 04, 2009: Exclusive: Inside Pinewood/Shepperton - A Photo Tour
Every year, the BAFTA film awards present a trophy for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Introduced in 1978, the award recognises an organisation or a person's career... More...

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