Mission: Impossible (PG-13, 1996)
common sense media says
Sensational, implausible, violent: Irresistible to teens.
parents & educators say
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.
Positive role models:
The dashing hero is willing to risk his career, his good name, and his life to uncover treachery and obtain justice for his fallen friends. He is unrelenting in his honesty, his loyalty, and his service to his country. His superiors in the IMF seem slow-witted and inefficient much of the time.
Violence:
Frequent action and lots of suspense. A series of attacks finds a team of agents killed early in the film by: a rigged elevator, a gunshot and fall from a bridge, a double knifing, and an exploding car. A restaurant is blown up and flooded; a man crashes through a window and escapes. There are numerous fights, which include punches, slaps to the head, knife fights, and gunfire (one woman is shot to death). A lengthy final sequence takes place atop a speeding train, with a helicopter chasing it and includes men jumping, falling, sliding, and hanging over the side of the train. There are some brief bloody images (hands, shirt, clothes), but in most instances deaths happen just after the camera cuts away or in wide shots, and are not graphic or gruesome.
Sex:
An agent pats down a woman suspect, briefly touches her breasts. A few kisses and embraces.
Language:
Infrequent language inludes: "hell," "son of a bitch," "ass," "goddamn," and "for Christ's sake."
Consumerism:
Diet Coke, British Airways. Dunhill cigarettes and Chicago’s Drake Hotel are mentioned in conversation and serve as plot elements. Some merchandising and heavy marketing for this series of films.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on Mission: Impossible
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
Tsion
parent of 15 year old
parent of 15 year old
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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MississippiQueen
parent of and 2 , 2 , 5 , 7 year old
parent of and 2 , 2 , 5 , 7 year old
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bubbo
adult
adult
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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TheSuperman765
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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.
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uhya
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
I LOVE THIS MOVIE
this movie is violent, but a great spy movie
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MRW2
kid, 8 years old
kid, 8 years old
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
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quickbuild2345
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Fun action movie for 12+
The movie, although often unrealistic, is fun and fast-paced, definitely worth a watch or two, with well-choreographed action sequences and comic relief.
In terms of violence, most of it comes at the beginning. A man is stabbed in the face (not shown), two people are stabbed, a car is blown up, and someone is shot. Later on, there's another shooting or two, a few explosions, and a death by being crushed under a helicopter. In terms of sex, there's just some brief kissing, but there are about 25 swear words.
All around good movie, but not for under 12!
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movielover45
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Fun,Fun,Fun!!!!
A very fun and amazing action movie! can't wait to see the others!
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Joey123
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
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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ClearastheSea
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
A personal favorite.
This is one of my favorite action series. There is a lot to hold a viewer's attention, but parents do need to be aware of occasional iffiness.
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movie fan141999
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
is is vary cool but spyish so it is easy kills not long battles like it was. and i just say o my gosh some times a lot of times it stinks like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa its not like the best but some boring bad men it is just not right like aaaaaa
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quest13
adult
adult
Good
Good but a few thematic and violent content themes in beginning but nothing more.
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davyborn
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Dull and very dated first film in franchise is awful
Brian De Palma's 1996 summer action flick, which started out just plainly as, well, a summer flick, was a big success (thank god the sequels were better) and spawned a franchise. So, did it deserve to be a big success and start it's own franchise? Well, I am very sorry to the legions of fans of the original film in the popular spy franchise, but the first time I saw it, I hated it. I absolutely hated it. I hated every moment of it's goofy, horribly dated special effects, overly talky symbolism, murky plot and dull acting. So, I recently re-watched this one again, and I have to say, it really actually hasn't changed all that much. So, back to the question I just asked earlier, did it deserve to be a big success and spawn a franchise? Well, no. Don't get me wrong, this is a strangely varied franchise where as every time a new installment comes out, it is always better than the previous film, and to me, the first Mission Impossible has always been a gigantic dark horse. So, despite the PG-13 rating, there are several mature themes: There is very infrequent but occasionally bloody violence, one implied scene of sexuality and frequent but mild language including b-tch, h-ll and d-mn. So, if you like this first installment in the franchise, than good for you. Fantastic. in fact, more power to you, I just most certainly did not.
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Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Really good; one of my favorite spy films, and that's even with James Bond and Jason Bourne being compared.
My rating: PG-13 for violence and language.
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lordmax
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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ToonThom
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
MISSION: Make movie more entertaining!
I don't think it has frequent violence there is more talking then violence but it is still entertaining.There is no hand to hand combat only gun shots, stabbing and explosions yes there is blood when people die. This really is very boring kids wont be able to stand it for an hour!
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