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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (PG-13) ***

Reviewed July 4, 1996 - Check out the Mission: Impossible web site

When I ask people what they think of Mission: Impossible, the responses I get sound like this:

"It's pretty good. I don't think I got the whole story."
"It was kinda confusing, but it's okay."
"I got lost."

Okay, so the plot was convoluted, and the editing was a bit choppy. If you like the techno-suspense-thriller genre, you'll probably like this movie. If you're looking for "Die Hard" type of action, go somewhere else. Mission: Impossible is the kind of movie I'd see again just because I need at least two viewings to figure out what's going on (okay, so I'm slow...). There's a lot of plot twists you may not understand, and (at least at the theater where I saw it), I missed some dialog because everyone in the movie was whispering...

Tom Cruise does a convincing job as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt, and there are a couple of good scenes worth seeing. Unfortunately, if you've seen the previews, you've probably seen most of those scenes. Actually, here's one of them...


IMPRESSIONS

Favorite scene: the suspension scene.

Most distressing scene: all those innocent fish flopping onto the street.

If it was you: would you blow up a helicopter with a stick of bubble gum hoping that the force from the blast would propel you against a speeding train, simultaneously removing you from harm's way and also eliminating the enemy?


Responses from cyberspace -- thanks for the input, folks!

u8t63@keele.ac.uk gives this movie **** stars: "When you combine Tom Cruise, the world's biggest movie star, with Brian de Palma, an exceptional director, you'll get a fine movie, that's for certain. >From the opening credits and the amazing theme tune, you know you're in for a great ride, and this film doesn't disappoint. The plot may be a little difficult to pick up in places, but it goes along at a nice pace. The support is fantastic. It's always good to see Ving Rhames delivering his lines in that deadpan way, but Henry Czerny, who plays Kittridge was the best of all. The effects may be impressive, but they don't make the movie what it is. This is an action film with a difference. Contived, perhaps, but a good, entertaining film." (2/17/00)

theidich@aol.com gives this movie ***** stars: "The best movie of all time! Confusing, but it makes you think and wonder. Very suspenseful. My favorite movie of all time. I would recommend it to any one. I cant say enough good things about it! Great movie!!" (7/15/99)

cougar.one@eudoramail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "this is the coolest movie and I love it" (11/13/98)

ronin@dccnet.com gives this movie ***** stars: "This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It has a very complex and interesting plot. Some great action and suspensful sequences. read my review at http://www.user.dccnet.com/fester1/ronin(11/8/98)

Whitman Rabren gives this movie ***** stars: "It was great." (9/14/98)

Paul VanDoren gives this movie ***** stars: "I think the plot is hard to understand, but when you do get it, I would watch it again and again. Tom Cruise is perfect for the movie." (9/5/98)

thedfam@earthlink.net gives this movie **** stars: "I like this page. I think you should have the Mission Impossible theme playing though. (if it is legal)" (7/3/98)

David gives this movie *** stars: "Excellent film and was just as I expected it to be. Very good fun with great performances, good plot but in parts was hard to understand. Nevertheless, a great film!" (1/24/98)

BMartinez2@aol.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I thought that Mission Impossible is a good movie. It is complex enough to make you think and keep you watching. I did see one mistake. When they try to stop the theft of the NOC list, Ethan Hunt is wearing a white suit coat. He turns it inside out and it becomes a black suit. However, when he is running away from the restaurant the jacket flaps open and it is white with a black lining, yet the white suit coat did not have a black trim. This is an impossiblity." (7/20/97)

manshack@trellis.net gives this movie **** stars: "Even though the plot is way too complicated, this movie is worth watching just to see the suspension scene. That has to be one of the best single scenes in years!" (7/13/97)

Jimmy Knight gives this movie ***** stars: "The movie ruled it was the greatest I loved it I recomend the movie to everybody." (12/24/96)

Beeper123@whynet gives this movie **** stars: "I thought the movie was pretty good after I understood the plot. Some things seemed totally unbelieveble though." (11/28/96)

9401043F@tsb.inet-images.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I think the special effect is stunning. Tom Cruise looks good in it.  Thank you." (11/27/96)

plotkin@ix.netcom gives this movie a ***** rating.  "Mission: Impossible is the coolest movie and Tom Cruise is making a sequel.  Hooray!"  

Becky writes: "I didn't like this movie. I am a fan of the old Mission Impossible TV series and I don't think the movie lived up to it. There should have been more scenes when they pose as other people in order to get into places.  (Becky, you didn't give me a rating for this movie...do I take that as a 0-star rating?)