Mission: Impossible Is Still Tom Cruise’s Most Over-the-Top, Ridiculous Franchise Debut

After almost 30 years and ever-growing escapades, Tom Cruise’s role as Ethan Hunt feels like it has come full circle, leading me to desire a revisit of his initial appearance with the original Mission: Impossible. Although I’ve always felt that it was somewhat underrated compared to its superior sequels, there was something about it that I couldn’t quite pinpoint as to why it didn’t reach the pinnacle of the series. Now, upon rewatching it, I’ve understood why this film remains an effective starting point for the franchise, even with some notable issues.

1996’s “Mission: Impossible,” created by David Koepp and Oscar-winning Steven Zaillian, was a continuation of both the 1960s and ’80s spy TV shows. This movie focused on a new team from the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), with veteran Jim Phelps, previously played by Peter Graves, leading them in their mission to stop a CIA list of undercover agents worldwide from getting into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, when the team is eliminated and the list is taken, Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt appears to be the only one left alive and blamed for the failed operation, forcing him to go on the run as he searches for the truth.

Mission: Impossible’s Plot Is Really Quite Messy

Character Motivations & Evolving Plans Become A Little Too Complicated

In the intricate world of Mission: Impossible, it’s no surprise that the writers would create convoluted plots to keep viewers on their toes. However, in the first installment, Koepp, Zaillian, and co-writer Robert Towne might have pushed the boundaries too much. The initial premise seems straightforward – the IMF team is assigned a typical spy mission to prevent the exposure of undercover agents. But when Ethan goes rogue and starts seeking help from characters like the suave arms dealer Max and former IMF operatives, the plot becomes obscure.

One significant source of annoyance in the movie lies in the manner of the IMF’s mole hunt, where Ethan is frequently made the target throughout the film, a pattern that seems to recur in the Mission: Impossible series. At times, it appears as if the storyline is deliberately shaped to intensify the game of cat-and-mouse, which also results in convenient encounters with Henry Czerny’s character, Kittridge.

As Ethan’s plans progress and unveil additional complexities, the movie grows increasingly tangled and implausible. Granted, a high-tech spy series like Mission: Impossible requires a certain amount of willing suspension of disbelief. However, the first film starts to fall apart when scrutinized too closely. Jean Reno’s Krieger is generally suspect, but his loyalty becomes even more dubious when pondering why he had a knife during the famous CIA Black Vault heist. Similarly, Phelps’ villainous transformation seems evident when considering the absurdity of faking one’s own death.

Brian De Palma’s Direction Is Thoroughly Tense & Stylish

The Oscar Winner Makes The Movie Feel Both Big & Intimate

In the span of eight films, a variety of directors have left their distinct marks on this franchise, and De Palma undeniably provided striking visuals for Mission: Impossible that future filmmakers can draw upon. As the action and scale escalate, the Academy Award winner consistently prioritizes keeping characters in focus to maintain an intimate and relatable feel within the story. The dialogue scenes between characters, especially, are exceptionally stylish, with strategic use of close-ups and Dutch angles intensifying the tension and suspicion on display.

Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that when directing one of his most significant films, De Palma skillfully crafted scenes that seemed expansive and intense. Notably, the Black Vault heist scene from Mission: Impossible stands out as an enduringly memorable set piece due to De Palma and Stephen H. Burum’s cinematography that effectively draws viewers into the action, making us feel fully engaged as Ethan encounters one obstacle after another – yet manages to execute the plan flawlessly.

There’s A Reason Ethan Hunt Remains One Of Tom Cruise’s Best Characters

The Supporting Cast Is A Mostly Solid Bunch

Tom Cruise boasts a number of renowned movies within his acting career. While some of the characters he plays in other productions have varying degrees of memorability, the original “Mission: Impossible” film undeniably highlights why Ethan Hunt is one of Cruise’s most notable roles. At first appearance, Ethan seems to be a highly serious character, but the movie soon reveals a wide spectrum of emotions in him. These range from a subtle sense of humor to a melancholic undertone that later films would delve deeper into.

In “Mission: Impossible,” the rest of the cast delivers commendable performances, but some of the casting choices are a bit hit-or-miss. I’m a big fan of Jean Reno in most of his roles, but from the get-go, I found it hard to imagine him collaborating effectively with Ethan.

In this role, Emmanuelle Béart seems reduced to a mere nickname, “honey pot,” as Claire, failing to contribute significantly to both the initial and final groups. Conversely, Ving Rhames’ portrayal of Luther is somewhat puzzling in its rapid trust from Ethan, but he manages to add charm to the character, making him more appealing to the audience.

Mission: Impossible is available to stream on Netflix, Peacock and Paramount+.

2025-07-06 15:01