Product: Mission Impossible DVD Collector's Set (1996)
Rating: 4.0
A great DVD set and a must-have for Mission Impossible fans!
Mission Impossible 1 and 2 get the "Special Edition" treatment with this 2 Disc package.MISSION IMPOSSIBLEBrian DePalma's big-screen adaptation of the long-running T.V show is flashy, action- filled and with a plot that's extremely complicated but thankfully so, as it raises the film above standard fare. DePalma's trend for wild camera moves, excellent action and a sharp screenplay from David Koepp (Jurassic Park) and a great performance from Tom Cruise (as spy Ethan Hunt) all combine to create one wild, exciting ride, with some unexpected twists to keep the audience guessing.This, in what would be DePalma's last good film of late (Snake Eyes and Mission to Mars were way below par) is an exciting adrenalin-pumping action fest with the smooth Cruiser making the coolest spy since Sean Connery in Dr NO. Also along for the ride are Jon Voight as Hunt's boss, Jean Reno and Ving Rhames as the disavowed agents and Vanessa Redgrave. Cool action, a great story, and a flashy look from the man who gave us the excellent "The Untouchables". One of the greatest action films ever made. And then some.MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2John Woo's glossy sequel to Brian DePalma's excellent action film sees Tom Cruise return as the super-cool spy Ethan Hunt. This time, the plot is more straightforward than the first, and in contrast, the action is more outrageous.Starting out with a literal cliffhanger, the film takes off with some good action scenes and trademark coolness from the Cruiser. But events seem somewhat un-involving, lacklustre even, as the plot meanders slowly along, with some boring sub-plots and un-inspired dialogue. And Thandie Newton provides eye candy but very little else. However the Anthony Hopkins cameo is very welcome and saves the rather tedious mid section. Finally, after some extended plot twists, we see the Woo trademarks: cool action, Slo-mo gunfights and those perennial doves. Then the action roars off with the last half-hour being one huge action wallop, with an enormous amount of stunts and explosions, leaving the viewer wanting a breather. Then we are greeted with the "bad guy and good guy punch up" ending, which is exciting, if somewhat overly- brutal. In short, been there, done that. Sold action can't cover the film's flaws.