History Awesome / MissionImpossible1996

* The CIA heist that [[TropeNamer named]] and [[TropeCodifier codified]] the MissionImpossibleCableDrop, showing that an intense scene in a summer blockbuster can be done without explosions and body count, rather with an emphasis on silence.

* The climax definitely deserves a mention, but it wouldn't be complete without the music. Until this point, the music has been this cacophony of musical instruments as the train sequence plays out, showcasing the chaos and danger of the situation. But when Kreiger nearly loses control of the helicopter before he can slice Ethan's head off, the music does the equivalent of a, "CHARGE!!!" and then blows out the M:I Theme crystal clear in a different key, a musical equivalent of, "And the fight is on!" The sequence is so RuleOfCool that even Creator/RogerEbert admits in his review even though there's no plausible way a chopper could fit inside the Chunnel and have room to maneuver, it looks so damn awesome that you simply let it go.

* Ethan's escape from Kittridge, as soon as he figures out the mission was a mole hunt with him suspect number one, he just keeps him talking until he blows up the fishtank as a distraction. Causing him to [[OutrunTheFireBall outrun a wall of water]].
* Having lost almost his entire team and being framed as TheMole within the IMF, how does Ethan turn the entire situation around? [[RefugeInAudacity He goes straight to his primary target]] "Max" and charms her into accepting his help by basically ''telling the truth'' and fools her into thinking that he has switched sides for real. Not only was he able to uncover the extremely elusive Max's true identity, he was able to convince her to set up a meeting with "Job", the actual IMF traitor as well.
* The climax at the end definitely deserves a mention, but it wouldn't be complete without the music. Until this point, the music has been this cacophony of musical instruments. But when Kreiger nearly loses control of the helicopter before you think he slices Ethan's head off, the music does the M:I equivalent of a "CHARGE!!!" and then blows out the M:I Theme crystal clear in a different key in a musical equivalent of "And the fight is on!". The sequence is so RuleOfCool that even Creator/RogerEbert admits in his review that even though there's no plausible way a chopper could fit inside the Chunnel and have room to maneuver, it looks so damn awesome that you simply let it go.
* Let's not forget the scene immediately preceding the fight atop the train. Ethan ruins Phelps' entire plan just with a pair of glasses. "Good morning, Mr. Phelps" indeed!
-->'''Ethan:''' I'm not the only one who's seen you alive. \\
'''Jim:''' [[VillainousBreakdown You... son of a bitch!]] \\

** On a meta level, Tom Cruise's willingness to do the stunt. Rather than rely on a stunt man and clever editing, Cruise puts himself in harm's way in order to make the intensity of the scene work. And this is where the SignatureStyle - Ethan/Tom Cruise performing a near-impossible stunt - of the ''Mission: Impossible'' movies began.

** On a meta level, Tom Cruise's willingness to do the stunt. Rather than rely on a stunt man and clever editing, Cruise puts himself in harm's way in order to make the intensity of the scene work. And this is where the SignatureStyle - Ethan/Tom Cruise performing a near-impossible stunt - of the ''Mission :Impossible'' movies began.

* The climax at the end definitely deserves a mention, but it wouldn't be complete without the music. Until this point, the music has been this cacophony of musical instruments. But when [[spoiler:Kreiger nearly loses control of the helicopter before you think he]] slices Ethan's head off, the music does the M:I equivalent of a "CHARGE!!!" and then blows out the M:I Theme crystal clear in a different key in a musical equivalent of "And the fight is on!". It's so awesome it makes this troper smile and get goosebumps. The sequence is so RuleOfCool that even Creator/RogerEbert admits in his review that even though there's no plausible way a chopper could fit inside the Chunnel and have room to maneuver, it looks so damn awesome that you simply let it go.

* Let's not forget the scene immediately preceding the fight atop the train. Ethan ruins Phelps' entire plan just with a pair of glasses.
-->"Good morning, Mr. Phelps."

* The CIA heist that [[TropeNamer named]] and [[TropeCodifier codified]] the MissionImpossibleCableDrop, showing that an intense scene in a summer blockbuster can be done without explosions and body count, but with an emphasis on silence.

* And there's of course the iconic cable drop infiltration.

* Ethan's escape from Kittridge, as soon as he figures out the mission was a mole hunt with him suspect number one, he just keeps him talking until he blows up the fishtank as a distraction. Causing him to [[OutrunTheFireBall outrun a wall of water.]]
** On a meta level, Tom Cruise's willingness to do the stunt. Rather than rely on a stunt man and clever editing, Cruise puts himself in harm's way in order to make the intensity of the scene work. And this is where the signature style - Ethan/Tom Cruise performing a near-impossible stunt - of the ''M:I'' movies begins.

* The CIA heist, showing that an intense scene in a summer blockbuster can be done without explosions and body count, but with an emphasis on silence.

** On a meta level, Tom Cruise's willingness to do the stunt. Rather than rely on a stunt man and clever editing, Cruise puts himself in harm's way in order to make the intensity of the scene work. And this is where the signature style - Ethan performing a near-impossible stunt - of the ''M:I'' movies begins.