Cast: Tom Cruise, Henry Czerny, Jon Voight, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Emmanuel Beart, Emelio Estevez, Kristen Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Brian De Palma
Screenplay: Willard Huyck , Gloria Katz, David Koepp, Robert Towne, Steven Zaillian
Running Time: approximately 105 minutes
Grade: A-
Overall Cinema: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)
Action: 5 stars (out of 5)
Drama: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Except for a slightly convoluted plot, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is just about everything you would want in an action movie. There are lots of nifty little devices, such as exploding chewing gum and eyeglasses with cameras. There are a few edge-of-your-seat moments and some over-the-top action sequences. And there are even one or two surprises—especially if you are fortunate enough not to have seen the trailer. (The trailer for this film follows the current trend of giving away the entire plot.)

Tom Cruise, as the leader of an IMF (Impossible Mission Force) team, is fairly good. He plays Ethan Hunt, who is a master of disguise, as well as a rather resourceful James-Bond type. His only fault is that a little too much of his cute, wiseguy character from films like RISKY BUSINESS shows through. The character calls for a little less cuteness, and a little more flinty coldness than he is capable of bringing to the role.

The opening sequence is unspectacular, but the title sequence is heart stopping. When that match starts burning, and the powerful, familiar theme starts in all of its DTS glory, you’d have to be a cold-hearted SOB not to get excited. The action sequences are first rate, though there are a few that push the limits of believability.

The film moves very quickly, and it is possible to get a little lost with all the stuff that is going on. There are a lot of computer shenanigans—quite realistic, actually—which go by quickly, and could be easily missed by the less computer-literate members of the audience. The action jumps between Prague, London, and Virginia, but there isn’t really much travelogue scenery. It’s hard to describe the story without giving too much away, but, basically, Cruise and his gang of intelligent, daring go-getters get into impossible situations, and then barely escape with whatever they were trying to get.

The cast is quite good, especially the supporting members of the IMF team. Ving Rhames (Luther) is especially good as the computer expert. Jean Reno (Kreiger), though not at the top of his form, does a good job in small role. Jon Voight (Jim Phelps) gives a workman-like performance as the aging, tired coordinator of the team. Henry Czerny (Kittridge), is also good as a high-level CIA executive. His role and performance are very similar to the work he did in the recent CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. The only problem is that there are one or two too many characters to keep track of.

An interesting technique is the way the audience sees into Cruise’s mind when he’s describing a sequence of events to his cohorts. For example, as he is going through the security features of a room that the team needs to break into, we get a look at the room, and see each of the features as it is mentioned.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is a thrilling ride, with a few twists and a good, though slightly difficult-to-follow plot. My recommendation is to see it in a theater equipped with digital sound—and pay close attention lest you get left behind.