Product: Mission: Impossible (1996)
Rating: 4.0
Definitely the best of the 3
Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible is definitely the most plot- and character-driven M:I movie that there has been so far and probably ever will be. Considering that this was back before Tom Cruise was publicly insane, his performance in this film is actually very good, as are most of the other actors. Jon Voight is good, if maybe only adequate, as Jim Phelps, and Henry Czerny has a great supporting role as Kittridge, the agent who is heading up the mole hunt.Even though this is, at heart, a big-budget, summer blockbuster, Brian De Palma definitely puts his stamp on the film. His stylistic sense of directing and story-telling makes the film much better than it potentially would have been if an average filmmaker had been chosen to helm. In fact, De Palma even "tones it down" with his tendency to overemphasize technical wizardry. About the only trademark we get is a few, spaced out double focus/split screen shots that, as always, work well. There are no long takes, or no 10 to 20 minute scenes without dialogue. No over-the-top sex or violence. But yet somehow, De Palma still puts his stamp on the film. His Hitchcockian method of storytelling fits this type of film perfectly. With all the twists near the end, De Palma flashbacks fit in perfectly to help explain everything to the viewer. And, as always, the music in the film is done perfectly. The score by Danny Elfman fits in completely with De Palma's handiwork behind the camera.Mission: Impossible was quite a departure for Brian De Palma when he signed on to direct it, but he ended up making a great spy film that still stands up a decade later.