Product: Mission: Impossible (1996)
Rating: 1.0
I�m not laughing AT it. I�m laughing WITH it.
We all know Brian Depalma hasn't had an original idea since capuccino was invented, that he irregularly stumbles into a commercial success just often enough to keep him in cannolis.But this deal is a bigger mistake than usual. I mean it starts with Henry Czerny delivering the famous `Good Morning Mr. Phelps' line. Are you kidding me? Henry friggin' Czerny? (and I like Henry Czerny!) It is blasphemy of the highest order. Maybe Fran Drescher will be available for the sequel.On to our `hero'-his name is Ethan Hunt. All the on-screen presence of Ethan Hawke, plus all the machismo of Helen Hunt. Now I don't know how many focus groups it took to come up with it, but every time Mr. Cruise's on-screen monniker was spoken throughout the film, I couldn't help but think I was either at a polo match or a drug-anon meeting.A superb cast. Emmanuelle Beart-wasted, Jean Reno-wasted, Kristin Scott Thomas, Henry Czerny, Ving Rhames, Jon Voight-wasted, wasted, wasted, and wasted. Dale Dye even gets a chance to make a less than meaningful impression.I can't agree that the story was confusing--it was just plain stupid. David Koepp should've done better-although sadly (without giant dinosaurs) this might just be his best , and Steven Zaillian, a true talent should be ashamed.An out and out embarrassment at every level.