Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: This summer’s thrill seeker
With the release of Top Gun: Maverick last summer, Tom Cruise reminded everyone the importance of theater experience and how exhilarating it feels to watch it unfold on a big screen. Making over 1.493 billion USD on the box office certainly proves a point, right? It’s 2023 and after the releases of some highly anticipated blockbuster film falling short; Could Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One bring back the summer blockbuster that Hollywood so much needs?
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins.
During their operation, they meet Grace (Hayley Atwell), a burglar and their new addition to the team. Her character brings a freshness to the film, but also radiates a peculiar chemistry with Ethan Hunt. Making things a little more exciting and as the director, Christopher McQuarrie, describes Grace: “a destructive force of nature”. Dedicated fans would be ecstatic to see some old faces again. Among them being Ethan Hunt’s old boss, Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny).
In each movie, there’s always a big menace that’s been causing havoc around the world. From the Syndicates, the apostles to Rouge agents; what could possibly be the next big villain? Over the last couple of years, A.I. and deepfakes has been a big topic of conversation, and it’s no surprise that this is this film’s MCguffin. Everyone wants to get their hands on this powerful system called the Entity, especially their new antagonist, Gabriel (Esai Morales). I mean, an enemy that’s everywhere but nowhere to be found undoubtedly raises the stakes of this mission.
Watching the Mission: Impossible franchise feels like checking off a list. There are criteria that need to be filled. With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, there’s no exception. Suspenseful espionage, insane stunt work, a bit of tension between the character, a major twist; you name it. Story-wise, it does feel that the exposition phase of the film overstayed just a tiny bit; making the pacing a little uneven. However, what’s appreciative is how the ending doesn’t feel abrupt, but rather seamlessly setting up a bigger problem of what’s to come for part two.
One thing that Tom Cruise will always deliver are the exhilarating stunt work, great fighting choreographies and action-packed scenes. Always trying to outdo its predecessor and come up with new ways to impress and engage the audience. Adrenaline junkies will certainly eat up all the scenes. But of course, we can’t forget the most important part: seeing Mr. Cruise run.
Despite the film’s length and shortcomings, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a reminder of why we go to the movies. Because sometimes you just need to sit back, experience the craft and enjoy the thrill.
