Mission: Impossible is a 1996 reboot of the television series that kick-started the franchise we know today. Directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Koepp & Robert Towne, the film stars Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Henry Czerny, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Bing Rhames, Kristen Scott Thomas, Emilio Estevez, and Vanessa Redgrave. When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he’s surprised to learn that he’s the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

For the longest time, as a kid, I only ever saw Mission: Impossible II on VHS. My dad got me into the franchise that way. When I learned there was a first one, I was warned that I wouldn’t like it as it wouldn’t be as action heavy. What’s crazier than remembering that from so long ago is the fact that I now feel like the first one is far superior than the sequel. This was truly a solid start to the franchise we know today.

I would have loved to have seen this film when it first came out. It’s too bad I couldn’t see it when I was only two years old in theaters. I wished I could have gone in not knowing what happens to Ethan’s team in the beginning. It’s a choice that is rarely done in movies anymore, but it’s also incredibly important as it puts Ethan Hunt in a vulnerable state where he has to make a lot of heavy decisions that will go on to define who he will become.

While it shows its age between the look and sound of it, it is incredibly effective at telling a cohesive story that is mostly built around suspense over action. Without a doubt, this is certainly one of the most grounded films in the franchise due to how it tries to make everything feel as real as possible. As the film gives Ethan real problems to deal with personally, it also puts him in challenges that require him to push what he knows already. The issues that arise in the film for him help develop his character better. It also has no problem going to some dark & mature places in its story.

The stylistic choices wouldn’t work today, mostly due to how director Brian De Palma uses these choices to help give the film its identity. Between the Dutch angles and heavy dialogue, this something rarely seen in action films anymore. I personally don’t care for Dutch angles as they tend to be overused. Here, it helps tell the story as Ethan is now having to learn new things. This world he thought he knew is not at all what he thought it is. He is having to tilt his perspective to fit into this world.

The film is certainly heavier on the dialogue than I think any other film in the franchise. As a young kid who loved action, I am not surprised I was told I wouldn’t like it. As I have gotten older, there is something that I can relate to more as the dialogue allows us to learn more about these characters and the story better. The dialogue can feel dated at times with its cheese, but that’s also just a byproduct of its time.

The Mission: Impossible has been known for its practical effects, and I love how this one has singular scenes that help showcase what makes this franchise work. From the fish tank blowup scene to the CIA heist scene, this film proves that it is effective on delivering memorable, practical scenes. The sound design, especially in the CIA heist scene, is unreal. Sound design feels like it’s rarely recognized anymore. What sound design accomplishes in that scene alone is unreal. Speaking of sound, the score is tremendous on top of the famous credits song.

It’s amazing how the final action sequence uses CGI, but it’s still incredibly riveting. The train sequence has now been an inspiration for other set pieces in the franchise, making this the blueprint. It does show its age, but when it’s moving incredibly fast, it’s easy to ignore the issues. For a film that is so grounded though, the last sequence can be a bit jarring as it is the most unrealistic. At the same time, the film needed a big action set piece in the end to satisfy viewers who prefer that type of action. The film gives a little bit of everything for what fans want, making this the perfect film to gain fans.

Overall, Mission: Impossible is an incredible way to start this franchise. Between its practical set pieces and high tension dialogue, it’s easy to get invested. While the film has issues related to its time, it never overshadows how great this film is.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)