IMDb > Mission: Impossible (1996)
Mission: Impossible
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Mission: Impossible (1996) More at IMDbPro »

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Mission: Impossible (1996) -- An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization.
Mission: Impossible (1996) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   79,262 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Bruce Geller (television series)
David Koepp (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Mission: Impossible on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 May 1996 (USA) more
Tagline:
Expect the Impossible
Plot:
An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(258 articles)
User Comments:
Slick and stylish action flick more (291 total)

Cast

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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Mission Impossible
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some intense action violence.
Runtime:
110 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The six-digit code to the vault holding the NOC list 789551. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: When Hunt falls in the computer room, the air pressure generated ahead of his body by the fall would set off the floor alarm if it were anywhere as sensitive as shown. more
Quotes:
Eugene Kittridge: Good morning, Mr. Phelps. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Hoodwinked! (2005) more
Soundtrack:
The Plot more

FAQ

What is the song played at the end of the movie as it cuts to the credits?
Why does Jim Phelps shoot himself?
more
19 out of 30 people found the following comment useful.
Slick and stylish action flick, 30 August 2005
8/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

Based on the TV show of the same name, Brian De Palma's stylish thriller stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt; a James Bond-esquire secret agent working for a certain section of the government. As the title suggests, many of the scenarios in the film are extremely unlikely; but then again, the film wouldn't be living up to it's title if they weren't. It's one thing to criticise it's stunts for being overblown, but if they weren't, critics would be on it's back and calling it things like 'Mission Possible', so really you've just got to go with it. Brian De Palma makes it easy to just 'go with it' by way of an intriguing plot line, a constant array of high-octane sequences and lots of his trademark style! The plot does get a little too convoluted for it's own good at times, and sometimes it's a little hard to follow; but it gives the film a good basis for all manner of impossibilities, so it serves it's purpose. We follow Ethan Hunt and his team. After a botched mission, Hunt finds himself on the run from his employers after being accused of disloyalty. Hunt must now pull out all the stops to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and get to the bottom of why their mission went wrong.

The film features a number of stunts, the best of which sees Tom Cruise breaking into the CIA via the roof. This sequence is brilliantly executed, with De Palma managing to inject bucketloads of suspense into the scene. This scene fits the tone of the film as it's brooding and cerebral, but the film ditches that idea for it's conclusion, which sees a bullet train, a helicopter and the Channel Tunnel combine to great effect! The problem with all these stunts is that the parts between the action sequences aren't all that interesting, and at times can slow the film down to walking pace. This isn't a big problem, however, because there's always more action around every corner and that keeps the film going. Tom Cruise obviously has charisma and can lead a film, but I often find it hard to buy him in action roles. This one suits him, though, as although his character is still more than capable, he comes off as being quite vulnerable, and lucky at times, and that suits Cruise's persona. On the whole, while this isn't a great film; it makes for good entertainment and if that's what you're in the mood for, Mission: Impossible wont disappoint.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mission: Impossible (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Mouse in Vent, Supper?? Does anyone know how the mouse died? pluto-11
Why did Phelps shoot Claire? adukovic
5 minute window Zjeraar
What did fans of the show think of this movie? Nightcrawlr825
On the TGV *spoilers* poddar-gautam
Hail if you want De Palma to direct MI 4 ronin1138
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