Well, something has to get the ball rolling. Mission: Impossible does just that, setting the stage for the what-will-become exciting series (that came from a well-known TV show, which I unfortunately haven't seen). I have to say, although the movie is very fast-paced and confusing, the violence and cool factor are the main saviors of the rating, as well as originality and the popular theme song. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is a talented spy for the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) that performs covert missions to protect the country. When organized with a team of other agents to recover a stolen NOC (Non-official cover) list in the hands of a greedy traitor. When the mission goes South and Ethan's team, including boss Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) is slaughtered, Ethan finds himself a hunted fugitive, until he discovers a startling secret. There was never any mission; the whole operation was a scam to try and find a mole in the IMF. Since Ethan was the only survivor of the mission, the director, Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) assumes that the mole can only be him. Fortunately, Ethan discovers that not all of his teammates are dead when Claire Phelps (Emmanuelle Béart) shows up unaware of the situation. Together, and with the help of two friends/fellow agents, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Franz Krieger (Jean Reno), Ethan will begin a search for the real mole, as well as a quest to clear his name. This mission will not be easy, in fact... impossible; as Ethan's path will lead him to shady characters, like the crime boss Max (Vanessa Redgrave). Will he succeed, or is the title for this movie appropriate? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to rent this movie and find out. It may not be suitable for kids because of violence and swearing. This review will self-destruct in five...four...three...two...one....
