Episode 122 - M:I Series 1 - Mission: Impossible (1996) Review

Flick Flops

This week, we start a series about a franchise that keeps surviving with more style, stunts, and Tom Cruise sprints. That's right, we are talking about Mission Impossible. Directed by Brian De Palma, Mission: Impossible (1996) launched what would become one of the most durable and death-defying action franchises of all time. With a cast of spies, betrayals, and exploding chewing gum, the question isn’t whether this mission is possible—but whether it’s impossible not to enjoy it. Or... did it self-destruct under its own convoluted plot?

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Synopsis

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is a top IMF (Impossible Mission Force) operative whose latest mission goes terribly wrong when his entire team is killed and he's framed as a mole. On the run and out of allies, Hunt must uncover the real traitor while dodging CIA agents and deadly assassins. Armed with gadgets, disguises, and his own nerve, he orchestrates an outrageous break-in at CIA headquarters to steal a top-secret list before his enemies—or former friends—can beat him to it.

🕵️‍♂️ Main Cast & Crew

• Director: Brian De Palma (Scarface, The Untouchables)

• Writer(s): David Koepp and Robert Towne, based on the 1966 TV series

• Producers: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner

• Music: Danny Elfman

• Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum

Starring:

• Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt

• Jon Voight as Jim Phelps

• Emmanuelle Béart as Claire Phelps

• Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell

• Jean Reno as Franz Krieger

• Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge

• Kristin Scott Thomas as Sarah Davies

• Emilio Estevez as Jack Harmon (uncredited)

💣 Interesting Details

1. Reboot from TV: This film reimagined the classic 1960s Mission: Impossible TV show but controversially turned Jim Phelps—the original hero—into the villain.

2. Cruise’s First Producing Gig: This was the first movie Tom Cruise produced through his company with Paula Wagner, marking a new phase in his career.

3. Iconic Vault Scene: The famous CIA vault drop scene (with Cruise suspended from the ceiling) became one of the most parodied and recognized action moments in film history.

4. Danny Elfman Score: Although Alan Silvestri originally composed a score, it was replaced by a last-minute effort from Danny Elfman.

5. Box Office Hit: Despite mixed reviews for its complex plot, the film grossed over $450 million worldwide.

6. Cruise Insisted on Real Stunts: This started Cruise’s obsession with performing his own stunts—he did the aquarium explosion escape himself.

🔍 Quick Plot Summary

When a mission in Prague ends in disaster, IMF agent Ethan Hunt is framed for the deaths of his team and accused of being a mole. He goes rogue, assembles a new team, and infiltrates the CIA to steal a list that could clear his name—but discovers the betrayal goes deeper than he imagined.

🧨 The Heist

The crown jewel of the original film is the Langley CIA vault heist, where Ethan is suspended from the ceiling to avoid heat sensors, pressure plates, and sound alarms. It's a masterclass in tension, silence, and sweat—literally.

💥 Main Action Sequences

• The opening Prague ambush, where the IMF team is taken out one by one.

• The aquarium explosion, with Cruise sprinting through shattering glass and gallons of water.

• The high-speed train finale in the Channel Tunnel, featuring a fight atop the train and a helicopter chase inside the tunnel.

🧗‍♂️ Tom Cruise’s Stunts

• Performed the vault drop stunt himself—balancing horizontally while inches from the floor.

• Was inside the real water tank during the aquarium escape.

• Did the train-top sequence practically, with wind machines blowing at hurricane-force speeds to simulate velocity.

🎭 Unmasking

Confirmed Mask Uses:

1. Ethan Hunt as U.S. Senator John Waltzer – During the Langley infiltration, Ethan wears a mask to impersonate the senator and gain access.

2. Ethan Hunt as Jim Phelps (via Krieger’s mask) – In the final train sequence, Ethan uses a mask to appear as Jim Phelps in a setup to expose the real Phelps.

3. Ethan wears Max's henchman’s face (in the same train sequence) – Technically, he wears a mask of Max’s guard before revealing himself.

Total film unmaskings: 3

Note: The original TV series’ famous “mask-off moment” becomes part of this franchise’s identity here. Most other disguises (like Phelps faking death) were misdirection, not literal masks.

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