Review of Mission: Impossible (1996) by Sean L — 22 May 2012

Although it absolutely reeks of '90s blockbuster cliches, a confident performance from Tom Cruise and two or three truly great action sets ultimately save the first M:I from the dregs of mediocrity.

The plot is a bit too twisty-turny for its own good, with perhaps ninety percent of the cast switching allegiances at least once before it's through, but that's kind of its thing and I can write off a few eccentricities in the name of identity.

Jean Reno and Ving Rhames are wasted as generic lackeys, though, and the vital makeup effects aren't nearly as good as I had remembered. The magic of watching a guy rip off a faceful of fake skin is sort of lost when I can immediately identify who's wearing it as soon as they step on-screen.

Though campy at times, it's still worth a watch for the perfect, trendsetting blend of action and suspense it brings to several key moments.