“Mission: Impossible” (1996) – Brian De Palma’s Captivating Classic About Secret Mission Societies

Director: Brian De Palma

Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames and Kristin Scott Thomas

‘A Captivating Classic’

Not many actors in Hollywood have made films achieving fame of Ving Rhames. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Rhames has made memorable films. Whether it’s bold gangsters, police officers spies facing dangers, Rhames has played many strong characters. Arguably, Rhames’ finest strength as an actor has often been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had flair for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even if he is in a film for a short period of time, Rhames has always left a lasting impression. Through his capabilities to create characters that are easy to relate to, Rhames has become an actor that audiences value. Although he is best known for his role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Rhames has proven he can excel in any genre. Throughout a lasting career, Rhames has made many commemorated movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.

I’m a big fan of Rhames and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Mission: Impossible” is definitely my favourite. Following its release in 1996, Brian De Palma’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best blockbusters ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Tom Cruise, who plays a spy that endures mental health issues. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the action franchise, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating action classic, there are several strong reasons why “Mission: Impossible” is a movie which is worth seeing.

“Mission: Impossible” tells a story of a hunted spy seeking to accomplish a mission which is impossible. Tom Cruise portrays Ethan Hunt, a skilled espionage agent that has always had aptitude for completing dangerous missions. Hunt has always excelled at being a leader for his team he has grown to treasure. However, Ethan’s live changes when he discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA causing disaster. Assisted by longtime companion Luther (Ving Rhames), Ethan embarks on a mission to fight spies causing tension. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Ethan is forced to wonder whether he can become a successful spy figure. Facing obstacles that are stressful, Ethan questions whether he will ever be able to accomplish a mission which has proven to be impossible.

Brian De Palma is a newcomer towards stories of spies. Before he made “Mission: Impossible”, De Palma had never made a spy movie before. A fantastic filmmaker, De Palma was known for his films in the gangster genre. His renowned film “Scarface” captured the obstacles which gangsters face. With “Mission: Impossible”, however, he made his first espionage movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of spies facing tragedy but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, De Palma captures spies embarking upon an impossible mission causing tragedy. De Palma expertly uses Dutch angles to capture tension that spies are facing. For instance, the Dutch angles enhance the phone call scene. During this intense scene, Ethan Hunt gives his boss a call to inform him his team is dead. Through a unique use of Dutch angles, De Palma conveys tensions that agents go through. Dutch angles are complex techniques to use in most movies. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” claimed, Dutch angles elevate commemorated classic crime films. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, De Palma captures tensions hunted agents embarking on impossible missions are often experiencing.

Another strong aspect of “Mission: Impossible” that merits appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. De Palma uses stunning production design to capture the lives of spies which face a decline. Throughout the film, De Palma uses stunning practical effects to capture tensions which hunted agents are facing. For instance, practical effects elevate the restaurant water scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ethan stages an attack against a nemesis exploding an underwater tank in a restaurant. Practical effects are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” did suggest, practical effects elevate comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Danny Elfman’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden spies bear. Through phenomenal production, De Palma captures the lives of hunted spies facing tension.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mission: Impossible” is a classic action film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses exposition to capture the lives of spies on an impossible mission. De Palma’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture the tensions faced by spies through exposition. Throughout the film, De Palma uses explanation to capture the lives of spies on a mission. For instance, exposition elevates the opening scene. During this tense scene, Ethan Hunt introduces the audience to his world of spies facing tension. Through use of clever exposition, De Palma captures spies that audiences easily relate to. Exposition is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven” demonstrated, exposition elevates casino heist films. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a captivating screenplay, Soderbergh captures agents that experience a demanding price to pay.

One appreciates amazing performances.

Ving Rhames delivers one of his best career performances as Luther. Rhames first earned appreciation for playing gangsters in crime dramas. With “Mission: Impossible”, however, he took on his most intense role. It isn’t easy to play a spy embarking on impossible missions causing tragedy but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and determination of spy seeking to achieve an impossible mission. It’s a fantastic turn from one of the finest African American actors that is working today.

Tom Cruise is captivating as a hunted spy that seeking to accomplish an impossible mission causing issues. Cruise has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Mission: Impossible” showcases his strength as an actor. Whether he’s dangling from the ceiling of a security vault or seeking to find a solution to his problem or seeking a solution to his team, Cruise uses his body language to create a character that’s compelling. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most commemorated actors today.

The final, most notable standout in the cast is Jean Reno. As a courageous spy, he brings an air of authority to the movie.

Finally, “Mission: Impossible” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing spies on an impossible mission. Unlike most films in the Mission Impossible franchise, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes including courage, grief and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the franchise to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about teamwork that would resonate with everyone. Hence, “Mission: Impossible” is one of those rare blockbusters that everyone will adore.

Fans of Ving Rhames will definitely appreciate “Mission: Impossible” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting action blockbuster, it honoured an actor which has made movies audiences treasure.

Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about hunted spies seeking to accomplish missions that are impossible, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy by his abilities to portray relatable characters in movies which audiences consider to be extremely special.

5/5 stars