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Full of special effects, Brian DePalma's update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes convoluted.
All Critics (57) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (21) | DVD (9)
The "set" pieces of this film come off like clockwork, but there's no connective tissue -- no story line, no solid characterization, etc. In the end, De Palma's work seems full of sound and visual fury without signifying much of anything. Jan 5, 2018 | Full Review…
The "set" pieces of this film come off like clockwork, but there's no connective tissue -- no story line, no solid characterization, etc. In the end, De Palma's work seems full of sound and visual fury without signifying much of anything.
Carol Buckland
The most dour, sexless piece of escapism in memory. May 20, 2008 | Full Review…
The most dour, sexless piece of escapism in memory.
Variety Staff
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. Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
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.
Humorless, charmless and flat. Jan 18, 2002 | Full Review…
Humorless, charmless and flat.
Hal Hinson
There are just a few groovy special effects and a practically incomprehensible story which we finally can't work up enough energy to care about. Jan 1, 2000
There are just a few groovy special effects and a practically incomprehensible story which we finally can't work up enough energy to care about.
Wm. Steven Humphrey
It's the worst kind of convoluted thriller -- it can never unravel satisfactorily because there's nothing simple at its center, just more confusion. Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…
It's the worst kind of convoluted thriller -- it can never unravel satisfactorily because there's nothing simple at its center, just more confusion.
Mick LaSalle
There are some standout action sequences, and that's what really makes it worth a look back. Dec 6, 2018 | Rating: 6.25/10 | Full Review…
There are some standout action sequences, and that's what really makes it worth a look back.
Colby Bryant
If we're going by a comparison to James Bond, while I love me a good Bond film, Mission: Impossible is miles ahead of that entire franchise in its treatment of female characters. Aug 20, 2018 | Full Review…
If we're going by a comparison to James Bond, while I love me a good Bond film, Mission: Impossible is miles ahead of that entire franchise in its treatment of female characters.
Stephanie Cooke
It's all very ambitious and very creative and very wonderful to watch...the first Mission: Impossible remains the closest to perfect that any Mission: Impossible movie has ever been. Jul 25, 2018 | Full Review…
It's all very ambitious and very creative and very wonderful to watch...the first Mission: Impossible remains the closest to perfect that any Mission: Impossible movie has ever been.
Shea Serrano
De Palma's film has some stunning sequences... But the movie so betrayed the spirit of the original TV series, by betraying the spirit and integrity of a formerly unimpeachable character, that the entire project smelled of cynicism. Jun 1, 2018 | Full Review…
De Palma's film has some stunning sequences... But the movie so betrayed the spirit of the original TV series, by betraying the spirit and integrity of a formerly unimpeachable character, that the entire project smelled of cynicism.
David Bianculli
The film tries to push against its genre, and the auteurist flourishes are unmistakable. Jan 2, 2016 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…
The film tries to push against its genre, and the auteurist flourishes are unmistakable.
Tim Brayton
Still holds up as a fun, unique entry in the action spy genre and launched Tom Cruise's second career arc as an action megastar. Jul 27, 2015 | Rating: 8.5/10 | Full Review…
Still holds up as a fun, unique entry in the action spy genre and launched Tom Cruise's second career arc as an action megastar.
Jeffrey Lyles
Revisiting the first M:I film now with its portrayal of the early internet stages feels like watching cavemen trying to make fire. The agent thriller aspects of the film still work, DePalma knows how to direct a film, of course. They are oddly contradictory to the action scenes, though, making for an very strangely timed film. The iconic break-in to the CIA headquarters stands the test of time, the over the top finale with the CGI helicopter less so. Let's put it this way: after this and the mediocre second part the series got better and better.
Super Reviewer
The first and still by far my favorite entry in the Mission Impossible franchise. The action is great (Who can forget the iconic vault sequence), DePalma's direction is tight and classy, and the plot (while admittedly a bit convoluted) is full of great twists and turns.
While this film hasn't aged well, (especially when it comes to its use of computer technology), there is a reason that it is a classic action film, and has now spawned four sequels, the latest of which will be in theaters this year. Tom Cruise is probably the best action star of the past twenty years, mainly because he does his own stunts, even in an age where CGI is replacing a lot of stunt doubles. While this is saving many stunt people from injuries, the action looks fake and lowers the stakes for the audience. Tom Cruise is doing everything that you see onscreen. The scene in the vault is still relevant today because it looks and feels real for the audience. Iconic imagery from this film is still referenced today, and has informed many modern action films, probably making it the most influential action film of the decade, besides "The Matrix." The stakes of the first film revolve around the identities of a secret government agency, and Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is framed in a worldwide conspiracy. Hunt is almost completely alone in his quest to clear his name and help his other agents keep their secrecy intact. While many aspects of this film are still impressive today a lot of this does not have the same impact that it had nearly twenty years ago. Luckily the sequels are of the same caliber and incorporate modern technology and stunts.
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