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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (1996)

Dir: Brain De Palma

At first this film is pretty much based on the sixties TV series but then for reasons which soon become apparent it becomes to the TV series what The Prisoner is to Danger Man: a sequel. If you have the series in mind then you may end up disappointed as this is more comparable to Die Hard or Speed with a bit of Bond thrown in too.

However, with its many twists it soon turns your mind away from the question "Should this really have been called Mission Impossible?". You'll have to devote full concentration or you will be well and truly lost. Now if all this has been sorted out in your head you're in for a clever, fast moving action movie and a rather enjoyable one too.

There is quite a healthy cast with the excellent Jean Reno (Leon, Les Visiteurs) and Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction). There is also a surprise appearance from David Schneider (as seen in TV's Friday Night Armistice and The Day Today). As for main man Tom Cruise well no surprises there as he's just the usual Tom which isn't really a bad thing as he does suit his role.

I did enjoy this film pretty much although all you anorak followers of the TV series will no doubt find it blasphemous. Well, the TV series was better.

JOHN MARSHALL - 2 August 1996