Dir. Brian De Palma. 1996, 110 mins. 35mm. With Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Ving Rhames. The most aesthetically satisfying action film franchise of all time kicks off in high style with this coolly elegant Brian De Palma–helmed Euro-thriller. Split diopter shots and epic setpieces abound as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) launches himself and his team into a globetrotting quest for information that will clear his good name. The first M:I features all the series hallmarks: Tom Cruise falling from heights, a wry Ving Rhames, unexpectedly switched faces, and grand, old-fashioned fun. For the auteur-minded, it is also arguably one of De Palma’s best late-career entries.

Tickets: $15 ($11 seniors and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for children under 3 and Museum members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above). Order tickets online.(Members may contact [email protected] with questions regarding online reservations.)

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