Exciting and Surprisingly Intelligent

Rating: 8/10 (7 November 2000)

Mission:Impossible is a tightly scripted, taut, very suspenseful update of the old TV series that not only proves to be intelligent, but also has some adrenaline-pumping action sequences.
Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, a member of the IMF whose team is killed in a bungled attempt to recover a list of the true identities of many secret agents. When he meets with his agency, they suspect he is the culprit behind their killings and must flee to attempt to prove otherwise.
Brian DePalma, a director known for providing involving, deeply rooted stories about conspiracies and ruthless factions, such as Scarface and Carlito's Way. In a film that just screams for non-stop, mindless action sequences, shootouts, and explosions, DePalma instead delivers an involving, complex film with action sequences both quietly effective and amazingly intense, as well as a great performance from John Voight and a charming, likeable, and witty performance from Tom Cruise. Danny Elfman's score is also effective in building tension throughout.
While certainly not as breathtaking a thrill ride as other actioners, Mission:Impossible succeeds in delivering a satisfyingly complex, intriguing story and interesting, thoughtful, slick characters. It may falter sometimes in implausability, but the engaging story allows the suspense of disbelief. Thoroughly entertaining.
8 out of 10