Product: Mission Impossible Collector's Set [VHS] (1996)
Rating: 4.0
Nice set of two solid thrillers
Beyond the basic concept the "Mission: Impossible" films have little to do with the original TV series. In fact this is a recreation for an audience brought up on high octane action films. De Palma's film reinvents the popular TV franchise although many long time fans were probably upset that Jim Phelps was played by Jon Voight and that he's killed in the first 15 minutes of the film. Ethan Hunt (Cruise) is accused by his own agency of engineering the death of his IMF team to protect his identity as a traitor. Hunt suddenly alone must assemble a team (Ving Rhames, Jean Reno)of his own to help clear his name.The updated transfer looks marvelous here with richer, bolder colors and an anamorphic high definition transfer that improves on the previous DVD. This also features some decent extras although they have less to do with the history of the show and translating it to the big screen than with Cruise and Brian De Palma's attempt to update it for a new audience. There's also a preview for MI3 included as well as a ticket for free theater admission to MI3 until 5/14/06."MI2" plays much more like a cross between a Bond film and a Hong Kong action movie. That's good in a way because it's every bit as different from the first as the third is from the second. Director John Woo keeps "MI2" a fresh adventure. This time Ethan Hunt is directed by his boss (Anthony Hopkins in a nice cameo)to discover who stole the dangerous Chimera virus and its antidote. This nasty virus is 100% lethal and if the cure isn't given within a certain time frame it's worthless. Hunt discovers and tracks down a disgruntled IMF member (Doug Ray Scott who was originally to play Wolverine in "X-Men" until he was injured on this film)but the clock is ticking as Chimera may fall into the wrong hands.This edition is the same as the first with the exception of the second disc which has some promos for the third installment as well as some featurettes not included on the previous single disc edition. The transfer and extras on the first discs is the same though.If you don't own either film this is a worthwhile set to get but if you own the second film already I would purchase the first remastered edition separately. Both films are entertaining and have top notch supporting cast, direction and writing. The script for the first film was rewritten by Cruise's buddy legendary screenwriter Robert Town ("Chinatowne")as was the second film although it's based on a story by Ron Moore and Brannon Braga ("Star Trek: First Contact").