 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mission: Impossible
- Review Date: March 2, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
Sensational, implausible, violent: Irresistible to teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is an action-packed, suspense-filled film that will appeal to adults and some teens, with lots of fighting, danger, and characters killed in unusual ways. There are some bloody visuals: clothes, hands, knifings, and a woman shot to death. Still, much of the violence is suggested rather than shown either using wide shots or with the camera cutting away before a grisly death actually happens. Adventurous stunts include daring fights and chases along with explosions, flooding, crashes through glass, a helicopter in pursuit of a high speed train with men fighting atop it, and a death-defying burglary of an impregnable security installation. The film contains occasional mild cursing, some smoking and drinking, a few drugs administered to subdue those who may be a threat, and a hint of a possible sexual indiscretion.
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.
What families can talk about
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?
What makes watching action and violence compelling? When does it go too far?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
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+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
check out my page for more awesome recommendations
What to watch out for
*
Messages:
Not an issue.
*
Violence:
Roughing up criminal suspects. Death by gun, knife, and explosion. A fair amount of blood is splattered.
*
Sex:
Some nuzzling.
*
Language:
Infrequent mild profanity.
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not an issue.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 9 years old
August 7, 2011
AGE
7 & up
Uh, don't bother. Nobody will ever understand this movie, save your money and buy the soundtrack, it's the only good thing about this movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I LOVE THIS MOVIE
this movie is violent, but a great spy movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Brian De Palma |
| Cast: | Jon Voight, Kristin Scott Thomas, Tom Cruise |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 12, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | November 12, 1996 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic intensity |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
