Mission: Impossible Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Tom Cruise dangles, things explode, and everyone wonders why Jim Phelps is suddenly a bad guy with a helicopter.

🍿 Mission: Impossible: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Prague Mission

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, led by Jim Phelps, embark on a mission in Prague to prevent the theft of a classified NOC list. The team, including Claire Phelps, Jack Harmon, and others, is tasked with shadowing a rogue agent, Alexander Golitsyn, and apprehending him and the buyer. The mission quickly turns deadly when the team is ambushed, and most of them are killed, leaving Ethan the sole survivor. This sets the stage for a complex web of deceit and betrayal.

Framed and on the Run

Following the failed mission, Ethan is suspected of being a mole within the IMF. He learns from IMF director Eugene Kittridge that the operation was a setup to expose a mole, and Ethan, as the sole survivor, becomes the prime suspect. Realizing he’s been framed, Ethan escapes from Kittridge and goes on the run, determined to clear his name and uncover the true mole. He uses his skills and resources to evade capture and begin his own investigation.

Assembling a New Team

To clear his name and expose the true mole, Ethan assembles a new team of disavowed IMF agents. He recruits Luther Stickell, a computer expert, and Franz Krieger, a skilled pilot. Together, they plan and execute a daring infiltration of CIA headquarters to steal the real NOC list. This sequence is famous for its suspenseful vault scene where Ethan must navigate a highly sensitive security system.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise): An IMF agent framed for disloyalty who must clear his name and expose the real mole within the agency.
• Jim Phelps (Jon Voight): The leader of the IMF team who is revealed to be the traitorous mole, motivated by greed and disillusionment.
• Claire (Emmanuelle Béart): Jim Phelps’s wife and a member of the IMF team who is initially believed to be a victim but is later revealed to be in league with her husband.
• Kittridge (Henry Czerny): The director of the IMF who suspects Ethan Hunt of being the mole and relentlessly pursues him.
• Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames): A disavowed computer expert and hacker recruited by Ethan Hunt to help him infiltrate the CIA and expose the real mole.
• Max (Vanessa Redgrave): An arms dealer who is involved in the sale of the NOC list and becomes a key figure in Ethan Hunt’s plan to expose the mole.
• Franz Krieger (Jean Reno): A disavowed pilot recruited by Ethan Hunt, who is secretly allied with Jim Phelps and aids in his escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kittridge: “Good morning, Mr. Hunt. Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” – The iconic opening line, a play on the original TV series introduction, setting up the premise of the film.
• Ethan Hunt: “We’re being played, folks.” – Ethan realizes the team has been set up, indicating the larger conspiracy at play.
• Max: “Bits and pieces. I sell information. I don’t deliver absolution.” – Max clarifies her amoral stance in the world of espionage, emphasizing her business-like approach.
• Ethan Hunt: “You’ve never seen me very upset.” – A chilling threat delivered to Kittridge, hinting at Ethan’s potential when pushed to his limits.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $80,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $180,981,856
• Worldwide Gross: $457,696,391

💥 Mission: Impossible Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this in the cinema as a kid and being absolutely blown away! The scene where Tom Cruise is suspended from the ceiling trying to avoid the sensors? Unforgettable! It’s such a tense and iconic moment. I’m always on the edge of my seat. I love how the film keeps you guessing until the very end. Even though I have seen it many times, the twists still pack a punch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of spy thrillers”
  • “Tom Cruise fans”
  • “Those who enjoy films with complex plots and twists”
  • “Viewers interested in action-packed sequences and stunts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Some intense scenes”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A stylish and suspenseful thriller that revitalizes the spy genre, elevated by De Palma’s masterful direction and Cruise’s charismatic performance. The plot is convoluted, but the action sequences are undeniably thrilling.
• The New York Times: “Brian De Palma delivers a visually impressive but narratively confusing adaptation of the classic TV series. Cruise is a compelling lead, and the set pieces are memorable, but the story lacks the original’s cleverness and team dynamic.
• Empire: “A tense and exciting spy thriller that showcases Cruise’s star power and De Palma’s directorial flair. The CIA vault heist is a masterclass in suspense, even if the plot demands a suspension of disbelief.

Audience Reactions

The CIA vault heist is one of the most suspenseful scenes in movie history!: Viewers consistently praise the film’s thrilling action and clever plot twists.

The train scene is epic and still holds up today.: The train sequence at the end provides a fitting and memorable conclusion to the movie.

Overall Consensus: A thrilling and stylish spy film, though some find the plot convoluted, its action sequences and suspenseful moments are widely praised.

Awards

1. Blockbuster Entertainment Award (Favorite Actor – Action/Adventure)- 1997
2. MTV Movie Award (Best Action Sequence)- 1997

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During the famous scene where Tom Cruise drops from the ceiling, his head kept hitting the floor. He solved this by placing coins in his shoes for balance.”
• “Brian De Palma wanted to make a suspenseful thriller, rather than an action film like the later sequels. He focused on Hitchcockian suspense techniques.”
• “Peter Graves, who played Jim Phelps in the original TV series, declined to appear in the film because he strongly disagreed with the character’s portrayal as a villain.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mission: Impossible?

Mission: Impossible (1996) is readily available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Paramount+ (often bundled with Showtime), where a subscription grants you access. It’s also available to rent or buy on demand via services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube. Check local listings for television airings, as it frequently appears on cable channels. For physical media, you can purchase the DVD or Blu-ray from major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, ensuring you can enjoy this classic spy thriller anytime.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mission: Impossible, you might like these similar films:

• The Day of the Jackal (1973): Similar suspenseful pacing, intricate plot, and focus on tradecraft.
• Ronin (1998): Features complex double-crosses, high stakes espionage, and stunning action sequences.
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011): A slow-burn spy thriller focused on identifying a mole within British intelligence.
• Breach (2007): A fact-based thriller about an FBI agent uncovering a mole within the agency.
• Three Days of the Condor (1975): Government agent uncovers a conspiracy within his own agency.

🛒 Mission: Impossible Related Products

• Mission: Impossible – The 6-Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: Relive all the pulse-pounding missions with this complete collection. Perfect for binge-watching and experiencing the evolution of the franchise.
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Digital]: Download the dynamic and heart-pounding score by Lorne Balfe. Experience the music that intensifies every scene.
• Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (Nintendo Wii): Become an IMF agent and embark on a thrilling mission to clear your organization’s name after it’s implicated in a global terrorist bombing. This action-packed game will test your skills in espionage, combat, and puzzle-solving.
• Mission Impossible Inspired IMF Logo T-Shirt: Show your support for the Impossible Missions Force with this stylish tee. Made from comfortable, high-quality material, it’s perfect for casual wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mission: Impossible features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mission: Impossible Theme” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “Mission: Impossible” – performed by Larry Mullen & Adam Clayton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Mission Impossible In 15 Minutes Or Less

If you love nitpicking movies and enjoy a good laugh, check out this video. CinemaSins takes a closer look at Mission Impossible and finds all the things that don’t quite add up. You’ll be surprised at some of the hilarious oversights they uncover!

Who is Ethan Hunt? [Mission: Impossible]

Curious about the enigmatic Ethan Hunt? Patrick Willems offers an insightful analysis of the character’s complexities, exploring his past and his evolution as a spy and leader. Fans of the Mission Impossible movies won’t want to miss this deep dive into one of cinema’s most iconic action heroes.

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