A very fun and amazing action movie! can't wait to see the others!
Mission: Impossible
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sensational, implausible, irresistible to teens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Mission: Impossible was written by Randy White
Parents need to know that this blockbuster thriller is chock-full of narrow escapes, chases and battles -- just what teens love to see. But parents beware: This film shows a lot of violent deaths, which make it too violent for anyone under 12. Teens will love the cool ambiance and the exhilarating action sequences.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the film's themes of death, self-sacrafice and patriotism. What level of each does each family member believe is appropriate? What would you give up -- how much would you place your life in peril -- for what you believe in?
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More on Mission: Impossible
What’s the Story?
The big-screen MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE may not have the campy sensibility of its TV predecessor (which ran from 1966-1973), but it generates plenty of nail-biting suspense while capturing the overall spirit of the spy genre, complete with really cool high-tech gadgets. The setting is Prague, behind the old Iron Curtain, when the lives of Eastern European operatives are at risk. When a mission goes horribly wrong, secret agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is marked as a mole and hunted by the CIA. Now a fugitive, Hunt must track down the true double agent and a computer disk in order to clear his name.
Is It Any Good?
The Cold War may be over, but the spy genre is alive and well in Tom Cruise and director Brian De Palma's sometimes confusing and implausible thriller. Still, Mission Impossible has great sets, requisite turncoat agents, high tech espionage, and three thrilling action sequences that will keep action-crazy adolescents on the edge of their seats. The movie unfortunately foregoes plot coherence and plausibility in favor of sensationally shot break-ins and escapes. The CIA headquarters break-in, while exhilarating, is particularly dubious.
Mission Impossible certainly has a great opening, breaking the rules of the Hollywood thriller by (seemingly) killing off stars (Jon Voigt, Emilio Estevez, Kristin Scott Thomas) in the introductory sequence. De Palma also does a fine job of creating an atmosphere of suspicion; nobody with whom Tom Cruise comes into contact is completely trustworthy. And the action sequences -- in particular the helicopter in the Chunnel -- are some of the best Hollywood has to offer.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Brian De Palma
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/12/1996, DVD release: 11/12/1996
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic intensity
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/12/1996, DVD release: 11/12/1996
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic intensity
Our Members Say
See all 10 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Fun,Fun,Fun!!!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
A Great Action Film...PLEASE READ NOTE AT BOTTOM
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE reminds one of the old Bond movies than recent pictures like the Bourne films. In these movies, spies fist-fight on subways, helicopters fly inside train tunnels, and oven-sized aquariums break with enough water to flood a whole room. None of that should matter. When we watch this film, we're not asking ourselves "why" or "how"...we're asking ourselves "what will happen next". MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE succeeds as a heart-pumping and engaging thriller, but don't expect believable thrills; expect fun. Violence is really the only issue in the film. Numerous people are shot and two are stabbed. Blood is seen on hands, weapons, etc. and that may be unsettling for some, but discerning viewers can tell it's fake. There are several big booms and explosions, and the opening sequence is intense (Hunt's team is killed off; one by one). Language is limited to "d**n"s, "a*s"s, and "SOB"s, and sex consists of two couples kissing. Mention is made of Hunt coveting Jon Voigt's wife (who is at least 15 years younger than him), but nothing happens.
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I rate this title pause for age 12 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 13 and give it
Great spy movie...
The movie itself is very good. The characters are impaled, shot, and stabbed. However, none are graphic and the impalement cuts away before anything is seen. THere are a few s-words, as well as a handful of milder expletives.There are only a few thematic elements, and most are so mild that it's hard to even catch them.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
One of the Best Spy Movies
Mission: Impossible is a fun and suspenseful spy movie that older kids and teens will enjoy alot. There are plenty of great action sequences and neat spy gadgets. A sleek and enjoyable thriller. Good for kids 11+
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
A good example of over-the-top, but fun, action movie
this movie has good acting, with a good plot. it is not for the squemish, because it starts with an entire team of opratives being shot, impaled, stabbed, and oterwise killed (off screen though, but you still hear a few, ahem, bodily noises). After that though, there is just a few shoot out sequences and a perolis chase. (what good action movie is without one) if you are looking for a good action flik, this is a good movie for you
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good
Good but a few thematic and violent content themes in beginning but nothing more.
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