Mission: Impossible, released on May 22, 1996, is an American action spy film directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. It serves as the first installment in the Mission: Impossible film series, which is based on the classic television series of the same name. The film's plot revolves around Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), who is framed for the deaths of his team during a failed mission in Prague to recover a stolen CIA NOC list, which contains the identities of all covert agents.
The story begins with Hunt's team, led by Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), sent to Prague to prevent the theft of the NOC list. However, the mission goes awry, resulting in the deaths of most of the team members. As the sole survivor, Hunt discovers that he has been set up and must clear his name while uncovering the mole within IMF. To do this, he recruits disavowed agents Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Franz Krieger (Jean Reno) to assist him in retrieving the NOC list from a dangerous arms dealer known as Max (Vanessa Redgrave).
The film is noted for its suspenseful action sequences and intricate plot twists. One of the most memorable scenes involves Hunt's daring infiltration of CIA headquarters to steal back the NOC list while avoiding high-tech security measures. The climax features a thrilling chase involving a high-speed train and a helicopter, showcasing De Palma's skillful direction and Cruise's commitment to performing his own stunts.
Upon its release, Mission: Impossible received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its action sequences and Cruise's performance but noted its convoluted plot. It grossed approximately $457.7 million worldwide against an $80 million budget, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1996. The film's success led to a long-running franchise, with several sequels released over the following decades.
Overall, Mission: Impossible established itself as a significant entry in the action genre and helped redefine Tom Cruise's career as a leading action star. Its combination of espionage thrills and elaborate heists continues to resonate with audiences today.