A Unique Mission Impossible Film

Rating: 8/10 (15 June 2019)

"Mission: Impossible" is one of the few franchises that has maintained my interest from beginning to current. I was the right age when the first one came out to actually buy it on VHS and watch enough times that it joins "Hunt for Red October" and "Jurassic Park" in that special category of movie that I can quote almost front to back.
So, it will come as no surprise to anyone reading that I love this movie. Ethan Hunt is my James Bond. I've always looked forward to the new ones and I've seen them way more times. It certainly isn't flawless but it is a solid first run at rebooting a franchise. It kicked off Tom Cruise's producing career, is his landmark franchise, and one of the better ones out there.
By today's standards "Mission: Impossible" is a bit slower that the other entries into the series. It is more of a psychological thriller or a spy noir. Sure it has amazing action set pieces, setting the bar for the rest of the franchise which would always be one-upping itself with each sequel, but the mystery of who betrayed Ethan is more like a good mystery than an action movie.
The central theme of this film is not, how far can Ethan jump, how long can he hang, or quickly can he run. It's who can he trust and it is done in a way that is unique within the franchise. This movie still feels like a small film, not the tentpole series which grew from it.