Here's another film I watched when it came out and then later when the DVD was released and enjoyed both viewings, despite the fact I got "lost" several times. It's about time for another look because it's well-worth it and who knows....maybe I'll finally figure it out!

If you get a little confused trying to follow the plot, don't feel stupid. This isn't an easy story to follow but it gets high marks for keeping it interesting despite that problem.

The interesting characters, good cinematography, fun James Bond-like gadgets, just the right amount of action scenes and one very memorable heist scene with Tom Cruise dangling from a wire all make this an enjoyable two hours of entertainment. That scene with Cruise trying to break into this vault-like room remains as the one of the better tension-filled scenes I've ever witnessed on the big screen.

The final action scene with the speeding train and helicopter also is very memorable. John Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Henry Czerny and Jean Reno make it a fun cast to watch, too. Note: stick with this film and forget the sequel. Despite the confusion, this film is still fun to view.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is a secret IMF agent. His team has been infiltrated by a mole. When they go on their new mission, all are wiped out except for Ethan. The mission was actually a mole hunt, and the agency now thinks that sole survivor Ethan is the mole. He must fight to clear his name, and find the real mole.

Director Brian De Palma has built an intense convoluted story. He tells an intriguing behind-the-scene story of the two writers writing competing scripts while the movie is in production. It's best not to think too hard and the movie doesn't really give you time to think. The clues, the new characters, and the action keeps coming without easy explanations. Tom Cruise is such a powerful presence that I don't actually question the story. I just enjoy the slick spy story. The action is fast and stylish. Realism and logic be damn.

I wrote a review about why I hated this film some time ago. My Italian friend, Angelo, recently informed me it was removed. I have had this happen a few times...and each time it seemed to be because I hated a movie everyone else liked. I used no offensive language nor gave spoilers without warnings....and IMDB never explains WHY they remove some reviews. Perhaps they'll just remove this one as well.

So why did I hate this film so much? Because if you loved the original series, this movie pretty much spits on these fans. They make the hero of the original, Jim Phelps, the villain. This is like doing a Barney movie and making him evil! So, no matter how good the stunts and action are (and they are actually utterly ridiculous at times in this movie),I simply was angry because they took a beloved character and destroyed him.