I Watched Mission: Impossible & I’m Not Sure How I Feel…

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I must admit something – I haven’t watched any of the Mission: Impossible films… up until this moment.

It’s hard to believe that a journalist specializing in movies and TV hasn’t watched even a single Mission: Impossible film, given its popularity. For some reason, I haven’t managed to watch them all yet. I’ve only caught glimpses of the original, but I’ve never had the chance to sit down and watch an entire movie from start to finish.

Tom Cruise’s body of work is extensive, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching him in numerous impressive films. However, due to the sheer number of action films he appears in, some of them occasionally get overlooked.

Now, it’s rumored that the “Mission: Impossible” series is drawing to a close with “Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand,” set for release in 2025. Inspired by this, I decided to revisit the original movie and watch it from start to finish. Quite an exciting ride it was! To clarify, I found myself entertained, but perhaps not in the way you might imagine. Let’s delve into it.

I Went In Expecting Greatness

It’s clear that I had previously watched some scenes from the “M:I” series. I’ve jotted down a few brief notes about why it’s worth watching on various lists, so I thought I had a good understanding of what to expect when I chose to watch this movie.

I’d like to be upfront and say that I truly believed this would rank among the top ’90s movies. Given eight films in a franchise, there’s definitely potential for excellence. It’s not that every film needs to be extraordinary, but doesn’t the initial movie lay the groundwork for everything else?

If it weren’t for the initial Jurassic Park films, we wouldn’t have Jurassic World: Rebirth today. Similarly, the many Fast and Furious movies wouldn’t exist if not for the entertaining movie from the past that everyone enjoyed. I always thought Mission: Impossible would become a classic given its iconic status.

But I Was Given…Mediocrity?

I was really wrong.

To clarify, “Mission: Impossible” isn’t a poorly made film by default. Recall my earlier mention that I indeed had a good time while watching this? It remains entertaining, and I fully understand why numerous viewers appreciate it.

However, given the enthusiastic response this series got immediately afterward, I wouldn’t have pegged it as being my personal favorite or incredibly impressive.

There are plenty of movies about spies that exist. To be honest, I’m not deeply fond of spy flicks and haven’t made any claims to the contrary. However, my father is quite the enthusiast – he adores James Bond films and has a soft spot for the Mission: Impossible series. Despite not being a die-hard fan myself, I’ve watched several spy movies alongside him, which gives me a fair understanding of what constitutes a great spy movie.

And M:I was just sort of…eh?

This film didn’t quite meet my expectations, I must admit. It had several memorable sequences, for instance, when Ethan (Cruise) made his dramatic entrance into the vault, reminiscent of a spider descending.

To be honest, I wasn’t kept on the edge of my anticipation either, as it turned out to be less thrilling than anticipated. It seemed rather calm and I’m not convinced that’s a positive aspect. Additionally, the storyline was more or less predictable, which we will discuss in detail later on.

There Were So Many Plot Holes I Fell Into A River, Too

In that movie, it reminded me of the moment when Jim plunged into the river following his apparent gunshot wound. It’s similar to my experience, where I seemed to tumble into every conceivable plot inconsistency this film presented, just like stepping into a river after him.

To put it in a more conversational style, I found myself amused rather than surprised by the predictable narrative of this movie. The third act betrayal was as evident as a neon sign on a clear night, straight out of any spy flick you’ve seen. Yet, what kept me hooked was the shared laughter my boyfriend and I had over the inconsistencies and plot holes that the film presented. It was a peculiar kind of entertainment, finding humor in things that just didn’t add up or seemed illogical.

For instance, it’s quite bewildering how a helicopter could possibly navigate through a train tunnel. I can hardly fathom how its blades didn’t collide with the stonework or detonate in the process. However, I’ll concede that the art of filmmaking might have some tricks up its sleeve – perhaps the tunnel was spacious enough for one, though it seems unlikely.

Let’s dive into the storyline. The main reason Ethan broke into the CIA facility was to secure that NOC list, correct? This list had two sections: one containing codes and the other containing identities. Here’s my question: Why were both parts stored in the same location within the CIA? I would have thought they would keep them separate if their importance demanded it.

Haven’t you ever wondered about one of the most glaring inconsistencies? How come that advanced security vault didn’t trigger any hidden alarms or sensors, not even one? It just doesn’t add up. I mean, wouldn’t there be cameras in the room? Were they simply not activated? I find it hard to believe.

And The Acting Was…Not Super Great Either

While I acknowledge this point might seem insignificant, the acting in this movie left much to be desired. I’m not demanding Oscar-worthy performances, but a modicum of effort would have been appreciated. Some actors appeared as if they were merely going through the motions without any real commitment.

From my perspective as a film enthusiast, I totally understand why Tom Cruise is so passionate about his Ethan Hunt character. Frankly, it’s hard for me to imagine anyone else stepping into those shoes. However, there are certain acting decisions that leave me scratching my head, let’s just say that!

I Can See Why It Became A Franchise…But I Don’t Think It’s For Me

To clarify, I’m not implying that this film is poor in any way. On the contrary, given that seven other movies have been released since it came out, and considering its popularity among audiences, it seems to be well-liked by many. However, personally, I don’t feel it resonates with me as much as I had hoped.

It seems that during my upbringing, there was an overwhelming abundance of spy films, leaving me feeling fatigued by the genre. Watching movies of this type, which often feel overly predictable, actually diminishes my interest in viewing them further. However, I can see why this movie led to a series – it’s just not something I’m drawn to personally.

I prefer the top-notch fantasy flicks, sci-fi horror masterpieces, or anything else for that matter, but it seems spy enthusiasts can hold onto Ethan Hunt. Frankly, I find it hard to distinguish fact from fiction in this movie, and I guess that’s a reflection on me. However, I must admit my father has thoroughly enjoyed these films.

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2025-05-22 17:10