Mission: Impossible

Rating: 7/10 (10 March 2006)

Based on the popular TV series, this action spy thriller may be sound like an odd choice for director Brian De Palma (Scarface, The Untouchables), but actually, it works. Basically Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) and IMF (Impossible Missions Force) team, including Sarah Davies (Kristin Scott Thomas) and top agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) carry out a mission in Prague, and it goes badly wrong. Hunt seems to be the only survivor, and he is now on the run after the head of the agency Kittridge (Henry Czerny) suspects him as a culprit. Hunt is now using most unorthodox methods to find out who set him up and clear his name. One key scene sees Hunt trying to steal computer data from a heavily guarded, complicated and seemingly impossible security room, with the help of Luther (Ving Rhames) and Krieger (Jean Reno). In the end, Hunt finds the person who set him up, and it is someone you would least suspect, and it all comes to a head with an explosive fight on the fast moving Channel Tunnel train. Also starring Emmanuelle BÃ©art as Claire Phelps, Vanessa Redgrave as Max, Dale Dye as Frank Barnes and Marcel Iures as Alexander Golitsyn. Cruise does well as the American version of James Bond, the supporting cast is good too, but I can agree with the critics, it is not the story to be enjoyed, it is the fantastic array of stunts and special effects. Tom Cruise was number 32 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, he was number 25 on The 100 Greatest Sex Symbols, and he was number 81 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Very good!