The Mission: Still packs a punch visually and sonically

Just rewatched "The Mission" (1986) last night. Such an epic scope! I forgot how visually stunning it is, even by today's standards. Chris Menges' cinematography is just breathtaking, especially those shots of the Iguazu Falls. Seriously, the combination of the vast landscapes and the intimacy of the characters' struggles... it really got to me. The scene where Mendoza (De Niro) is carrying that enormous bundle of armor up the falls? Wow. Talk about visual storytelling. You can just feel his penance. But what REALLY stood out this time was the sound design. Ennio Morricone's score is, of course, legendary – that oboe theme still gives me chills – but the ambient sounds are so well done. The jungle noises feel utterly immersive. The roar of the falls is almost deafening. I almost forgot how effective it was creating this sense of isolation. I will say, the pacing feels a bit slow in parts, especially in the middle. Plus, Jeremy Irons' accent occasionally wobble a bit lol. But honestly, the performances are all great (Liam Neeson as a supporting role is awesome!) and the visuals and soundscape just elevate it to another level. I think the director made a right call combining native music with the western sounds of the choir! It kind of makes you understand how the native people can connect with this strange religion. Anyone else feel the same way? What are your favorite scenes or things that stood out to you?