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8.1
Paramount Pictures

Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible · Mission: Impossible Collection

1996 110 min PG-13
Critic8.1
Action Adventure Thriller
Paramount+ Apple TV FindEdition
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.
Story 8.0
Acting 8.2
Direction 8.5
Cinematography 8.4
Music 8.6
Pacing 8.2
Originality 8.3
Emotional Impact 7.9
Overall 8.1

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

8.1 /10

Iconic Set Pieces

The vault infiltration sequence remains one of the most suspenseful and imitated set pieces in cinema history.

De Palma's Direction

Brian De Palma infuses the spy thriller with Hitchockian flair, distinct shadows, and sharp angles.

Pros

  • Unforgettable, tension-filled set pieces like the CIA vault drop
  • Strong breakout cinematic performance by Tom Cruise as an action icon
  • Stylized direction and memorable musical score

Cons

  • Plot intricacies can feel slightly convoluted upon first viewing
Verdict A masterclass in suspense and action choreography that successfully launched one of modern cinema's greatest franchises.

AI Review

A quintessential 1990s action spy thriller directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise, establishing the legendary cinematic franchise with iconic set pieces.

A masterclass in suspense and action choreography that successfully launched one of modern cinema's greatest franchises.

A must-watch foundational milestone for any fan of spy thrillers and blockbuster cinema.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Development

Paramount attempted to adapt the classic TV show for decades until Tom Cruise acquired the rights and launched Cruise/Wagner Productions.

Production

Filmed across London, Prague, and Pinewood Studios under the precise visual styling of director Brian De Palma.

Release

Distributed by Paramount Pictures and released worldwide on May 22, 1996, becoming a massive box office hit.

Production

Development

Paramount attempted to adapt the classic TV show for decades until Tom Cruise acquired the rights and launched Cruise/Wagner Productions.

Production

Filmed across London, Prague, and Pinewood Studios under the precise visual styling of director Brian De Palma.

Release

Distributed by Paramount Pictures and released worldwide on May 22, 1996, becoming a massive box office hit.

Streaming

Paramount+ Apple TV FindEdition

Cast

Tom Cruise Ethan Hunt
Jon Voight Jim Phelps
Emmanuelle Béart Claire Phelps
Henry Czerny Eugene Kittridge
Jean Reno Franz Krieger
Ving Rhames Luther Stickell
Kristin Scott Thomas Sarah Davies
Vanessa Redgrave Max
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė Hannah Williams
Emilio Estevez Jack Harmon

Characters

Ethan Hunt Tom Cruise
Jim Phelps Jon Voight
Claire Phelps Emmanuelle Béart
Eugene Kittridge Henry Czerny
Franz Krieger Jean Reno
Luther Stickell Ving Rhames
Sarah Davies Kristin Scott Thomas
Max Vanessa Redgrave
Hannah Williams Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
Jack Harmon Emilio Estevez

Crew

Brian De Palma Director
David Koepp Screenwriter
Robert Towne Screenwriter
Steven Zaillian Story
Tom Cruise Producer
Paula Wagner Producer
Danny Elfman Composer
Stephen H. Burum Cinematographer
Paul Hirsch Editor

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Theme from Mission: Impossible — Danny Elfman
  2. Mission: Impossible Theme (Lalo Schifrin Remix) — Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

Trivia

  • Tom Cruise performed the famous CIA vault drop stunt himself, balancing his weight using a coin in his shoe after multiple failed attempts.
  • This film served as the inaugural project for Cruise/Wagner Productions.
  • Original television series cast members were displeased with how several classic characters were portrayed or killed off.

Quotes

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it..."

"Expect the impossible."

Goofs

  • During the restaurant explosion scene, the water splashes onto the camera lens in one cut and disappears in the immediate reverse shot.

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Collections

Part of Mission: Impossible Collection

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Universe

Mission: Impossible Cinematic Universe

Explore universe →

Franchise

Mission: Impossible

The first theatrical installment in the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise based on the classic television series.

Browse franchise →

Recommendations & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider The Godfather (9.2/10). A similarly themed alternative is Guardians of the Galaxy.

Higher Rated

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AI Recommendation Insight

A quintessential 1990s action spy thriller directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise, establishing the legendary cinematic franchise with iconic set pieces. Similar picks: Highly Rated Adventure, Highly Rated Action

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