THE MISSION is one of the better known episodes of the AMAZING STORIES TV show, which is down to the fact that it was directed by no less than Steven Spielberg. I saw it as part of the anthology film AMAZING STORIES: THE MOVIE, where it was paired with the one featuring Christopher Lloyd as a wacky teacher. THE MISSION is a WW2 adventure set entirely within a bomber plane as an American crew find themselves caught up in a life or death situation with seemingly no solution.
I have to say that this episode looks quite good on a low budget. There are a lot of effects, a lot of smoke and explosives, and a decent cast to boot. Both Kevin Costner and Kiefer Sutherland are present here before they hit the big time in their careers. I liked the plot, which is simple and allows the viewer plenty of thinking time to try and work out a solution - a bit like a detective story. What a pity, then, that Spielberg absolutely ruins things by including one of his mawkish, sentimental endings which turns the whole thing on its head and comes off as completely laughable. It was so ridiculous that I was frankly repulsed by the whole thing.
I have to say that this episode looks quite good on a low budget. There are a lot of effects, a lot of smoke and explosives, and a decent cast to boot. Both Kevin Costner and Kiefer Sutherland are present here before they hit the big time in their careers. I liked the plot, which is simple and allows the viewer plenty of thinking time to try and work out a solution - a bit like a detective story. What a pity, then, that Spielberg absolutely ruins things by including one of his mawkish, sentimental endings which turns the whole thing on its head and comes off as completely laughable. It was so ridiculous that I was frankly repulsed by the whole thing.