Update of '60s TV Show Convoluted w/Great Action Scenes

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2009)

I was one of the many people who were completely baffled upon first watching this movie, but I didn't let it deter me. Future viewings helped clear up what I hadn't grasped the first time and it's now safe to say that Brian De Palma's update of the 1960's television series makes for one of my favorite spy flicks. Based on the popular TV show, the film follows a team of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agents as they pursue a renegade official attempting to sell vital information. Soon, the IMF is dead and the surviving member, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), is accused of being a traitor. Now Hunt must hunt down the true traitor while attempting to capture the black market information broker.
Even trying to give a synopsis was enough to confuse myself. As I stated, there is enough double-crossing and false leads in this film to confuse the average viewer the first time through. Even if you find yourself having trouble following the convoluted plot, there are enough fantastic action sequences to keep the film entertaining. From the botched mission that results in the deaths of Hunt's IMF team to the theft of the information from a high-tech CIA vault, there are some seriously great suspense/action moments.
This film helped me become a fan of Tom Cruise. I hadn't seen much of his 80's films before and I'd never paid him much attention, but I thought he did a great job as Hunt. Following the deaths of his teammates, he reforms with a group of disavowed agents consisting of two awesome actors that outshine Cruise (in my opinion), Ving Rhames and Jean Reno. Toss in Jon Voight as IMF team leader Jim Phelps (the only character of the TV show to transition to the film) and the gorgeous, soft-spoken Emmanuelle Beart as his wife Claire, and you have a great cast rounding out this busy popcorn flick.