Customer Reviews

Mission Impossible DVD Collector's Set

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As usual box sets are always pleasing, especially when there are many special features (like this set), but If you are a "die hard" fan of Mission impossible 1 and 2 I wouldn't buy this. Tom Cruise and David fincher are in talks to make a third (Tom Cruise want's a different director for each film). If you are truly a fan wait for the collectors edition of the trilogy.

I GIVE 1 STAR FOR THE DVD NOT THE MOVIE. JUST TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW THAT PARAMOUNT WILL BE RELEASING A 10TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. SEE BELOW.
We've got a few new DVD announcements to report this morning. First up, Paramount has revealed that they'll debut a Mission: Impossible 10th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition on 4/11. It'll be a single-disc set, but there's no word yet on the extras.

I saw Mission Impossible I when it first came out in theaters, and did not watch it again until I bought this double disk set. I enjoyed it just as much if not more than it's incredible sequel. Both movies together, even though they are very loosely related, add up to a great buy.

Mission Impossible 1 and 2 get the "Special Edition" treatment with this 2 Disc package.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Brian DePalma's big-screen adaptation of the long-running T.V show is flashy, action- filled and with a plot that's extremely complicated but thankfully so, as it raises the film above standard fare. DePalma's trend for wild camera moves, excellent action and a sharp screenplay from David Koepp (Jurassic Park) and a great performance from Tom Cruise (as spy Ethan Hunt) all combine to create one wild, exciting ride, with some unexpected twists to keep the audience guessing.

This, in what would be DePalma's last good film of late (Snake Eyes and Mission to Mars were way below par) is an exciting adrenalin-pumping action fest with the smooth Cruiser making the coolest spy since Sean Connery in Dr NO. Also along for the ride are Jon Voight as Hunt's boss, Jean Reno and Ving Rhames as the disavowed agents and Vanessa Redgrave. Cool action, a great story, and a flashy look from the man who gave us the excellent "The Untouchables". One of the greatest action films ever made. And then some.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2
John Woo's glossy sequel to Brian DePalma's excellent action film sees Tom Cruise return as the super-cool spy Ethan Hunt. This time, the plot is more straightforward than the first, and in contrast, the action is more outrageous.

Starting out with a literal cliffhanger, the film takes off with some good action scenes and trademark coolness from the Cruiser. But events seem somewhat un-involving, lacklustre even, as the plot meanders slowly along, with some boring sub-plots and un-inspired dialogue. And Thandie Newton provides eye candy but very little else. However the Anthony Hopkins cameo is very welcome and saves the rather tedious mid section. Finally, after some extended plot twists, we see the Woo trademarks: cool action, Slo-mo gunfights and those perennial doves. Then the action roars off with the last half-hour being one huge action wallop, with an enormous amount of stunts and explosions, leaving the viewer wanting a breather. Then we are greeted with the "bad guy and good guy punch up" ending, which is exciting, if somewhat overly- brutal. In short, been there, done that. Sold action can't cover the film's flaws.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE:
Smart, crafty spy action-thriller which stars TOM CRUISE, JOHN VOIGHT, EMILIO ESTEVEZ, JEAN RENO, VING RHAMES, and KRISTEN SCOTT THOMAS. An agent named Ethan Hunt (TOM CRUISE) is framed for killing his whole spy team; soon after he is on the run from government agencies who are out to get him. Very technological with clever sequences of suspense and action. Some of the intricately assembled plot may be too complex for some and for others the film may be too boring. The ending is great. Directed by Brian De Palma. Filmed in 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 110 minutes. GRADE: A-.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II:
This sequel follows Ethan Hunt (TOM CRUISE, who reprises his role) and his mission to track down a villain named Sean Ambrose (DOUGRAY SCOTT) who holds a deadly chemically engineered virus. Ethan must destroy the virus is addition to killing Ambrose. In the course of this, he must employ the Ambrose's former girlfriend, Nyah, (THANDIE NEWTON) and use her as a mole. VING RHAMES is the only returning characer of the original MI and ANTHONY HOPKINS makes a nice, un-credited cameo. Less smart, less technological, and less clever than the first MI, but delivers lots of shoot-em-up action and a great chase/fight finale. The plot may be too dense for people who are looking for the plot to be near the complexity of the original MI, but for action-fans this movie will certanily deliver. The love story between Ethan and Nyah is a welcome subplot. Directed by John Woo. Filmed is 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 123 minutes. GRADE: B-.

ALL IN ALL:
If you're looking for a crafty, clever, technological spy thriller or a shoot-em-up action film, this set has what you're looking for. Since the two movies are almost completely different in terms of complexity, action, direction, and scope, it depends on what tastes you have for you to decide if you like the first one better of the second one better. TOTAL RUN TIME: 233 minutes. OVERALL GRADE: B+.

NOTE: The DVD of Mission Impossible has no special features, but the DVD of Mission Impossible 2 has many including a commentary with John Woo, cast/crew interviews, an on the set stunt featurette, a music video, and a breakdown of all of the stunts in the movie and how they were filmed. ENJOY!

Enough already! This movie was a mess when it was released and it remains a mess. De Palma is a much better director then this so all I can imagne is that he was under considerable pressure from the studio to bring it in under a certain time limit. Please, movie gods, whereever you are, how about a director's cut so we can see what De Palma could really do with this.

M:I 1
After a disastrous mission, CIA agent Ethan Hunt has been identified as a mole, even though he claims that he's not. To clear his name, he now must actually act as a mole to expose the real mole. This is a great action flick with plenty of great stunts, including the great scene in the secure room! The plot is a little confusing, but it's still a great movie.

M:I 2
A few years later, Ethan Hunt is called in to retrieve a deadly virus from the hands of a fellow agent, Sean Ambrose. He is instructed to use Ambrose's old girlfriend to get to him, but when he starts to fall for her, Ambrose turns things around. This movie has a lot more action in it than the first one, but the plot isn't as crafty. It's still a good movie, though.

The first movie is good, the second is a wonder for the eye, but a bomb for the brain, with nothing new or intelligent. I'm a great fan of John Woo, but that was not his best work, and Anthony Hopkins was totally wasted appearing only for about 5mins. If you loved the two films, buy this, if not, just by the first one.

I saw both of the Mission Impossible movies in the theaters and liked them both (the first much more than the second). Tom Cruise is great in both, and each movie has an awesome supporting cast. While some of the scenarios are a little far-fetched, the movies are both a lot of fun. Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, is a master of disguise - so you never quite know who you're seeing on screen at any one time. I haven't received the DVDs yet, though I have them on order. Looks like they contain a ton of special features, which I'm sure will be great! I highly recommend both movies to anyone who is an action movie buff - they definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!