Mission: Impossible arrived in 1996 to prove that a secret agent movie could be loud, physical, and still hold together. The result is a tight, often thrilling action picture that trades glib charm for genuine stakes, anchored by a performance that carries the whole thing. It is not subtle, and it does not need to be. It is a mission statement dressed as a summer blockbuster.
Trailer, via Paramount Pictures.
Tom Cruise Takes Over
Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, a member of the Impossible Missions Force who is framed for treason after a mission goes wrong. His wife is killed, his colleagues turn against him, and he is left to clear his name alone. That setup is simple, and the film trusts it. Cruise moves through the story with a restless energy that makes Hunt feel hunted from the first scene to the last. He is not the most natural actor, but he commits fully to the physical demands of the role, and that commitment sells the audience on the character’s desperation.
The script, credited to Robert Towne and David Koepp, keeps the plot moving without wasting much time on exposition. Hunt is given a goal, a target, and a clock, and the film spends most of its runtime making him work for all three. The dialogue is lean and functional, which works in favor of the action sequences but leaves little room for nuance elsewhere. This is a movie built for the chase, not the conversation.
The Chase Through the Vatican
The centerpiece of Mission: Impossible is the extended sequence in the Vatican, where Hunt scales the exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica to enter the Sistine Chapel and steal a file. It is a remarkable set piece, executed with a sense of scale that few films attempt. Cruise hangs off the side of the building, his feet finding purchase on tiny ledges while guards circle below. The tension is sustained for several minutes, and the payoff comes when Hunt finally reaches the chapel and triggers a security system that floods the hall with water.
It is a spectacular moment, and it is also a practical one. The film earns its spectacle by building the sequence out of small, believable actions. Hunt does not fly across the city; he climbs, slides, and scrambles. The sequence is staged with precision, and it remains one of the most memorable action scenes of the decade.
The Team Around Him
The supporting cast fills out the story with a group of agents who each get a distinct moment to shine. Ving Rhames plays Luther Stickell, a fellow IMF agent who becomes Hunt’s partner in the Vatican break-in. His character is defined by a single trait: a love of fast cars and quick escapes. Jeremy Renner plays Nyah Hall, a computer hacker who helps Hunt break into the IMF database. Emilio Estevez plays Jim Phelps, the leader of Hunt’s team who betrays him.
These characters exist to move the plot forward, not to complicate it. Their motives are clear, their betrayals are sudden, and their exits are clean. That simplicity can feel reductive, but it keeps the focus on Hunt and his mission. The film trusts the audience to follow along rather than explain everything aloud, and that trust pays off in the action sequences.
The Betrayal and the Chase
The film’s middle section turns toward betrayal, as Hunt discovers that Jim Phelps has been working for the enemy all along. The revelation reshapes the entire mission, forcing Hunt to go deeper into the conspiracy to find the truth. This is where the pacing slows slightly, as the film shifts from action to investigation. The tension holds, but it is a quieter stretch compared to the earlier set pieces.
The final act brings Hunt face-to-face with the villain, and the confrontation is tense without being overlong. The resolution ties the plot together neatly, though it relies on a twist that some viewers may see coming. The film ends with Hunt achieving his goal, but the personal cost is not entirely resolved. It is a satisfying conclusion, even if it leaves some threads hanging.
The Look of the Film
The visual style of Mission: Impossible is clean and modern, with a color palette that favors cool blues and greys. The production design is detailed, and the locations are used to full effect. The Vatican sequence is shot with a wide lens that captures the sheer height of the basilica, and the chase through the streets of Prague is filmed with a handheld camera that adds a sense of urgency.
The music, composed by Danny Elfman, is a driving force. It builds during the action sequences and pulls back during the quieter moments, giving the film a pulse that matches the rhythm of the story. The score is not subtle, but it is effective, and it has become a standard for the genre.
The Sequels Changed the Formula
Mission: Impossible was the first entry in a franchise that would eventually stretch across multiple installments. Each subsequent film has pushed the action further, adding bigger stunts and more elaborate set pieces. The original, by contrast, is modest in scope. It is a contained story about one man clearing his name, and it succeeds on that smaller scale.
That restraint is part of what makes the film work. It does not rely on spectacle alone; it builds the action from character and situation. Hunt’s desperation drives the sequence in the Vatican, and his need to survive drives the final chase. The film understands that a secret agent movie is about the agent, not the gadgets.
The Last Word on the Film
Mission: Impossible is a solid, well-made action film that holds up better than most of its contemporaries. It has aged gracefully, and its central sequence remains a benchmark for the genre. The film is not perfect, and it is not subtle, but it knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.
“This is the part worth watching.”
That line sums up the film’s approach. The action is the point, and the story exists to support it. For viewers who want a thrilling ride with a strong lead performance, Mission: Impossible delivers. For those looking for depth or complexity, it may fall short. But as pure entertainment, it remains a high-water mark for the genre.
The film’s lasting power comes from its confidence. It knows what it is doing, and it executes with discipline. The chase through the Vatican is a technical triumph, and the rest of the film follows its lead. Mission: Impossible earns a score of 7 of 10.
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