Film review – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (M)
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames
Review by: Julian Wright
Tom Cruise runs, leaps, flies, plummets and drives through another smashing entry in the M:I series, that refuses to take a breath.
Governments around the world are in a race to come into possession of both halves of a key that, when put together, can access a powerful AI that is becoming increasingly and dangerously aware and manipulative.
MIF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) are on the case to recover the two halves, but so is renowned thief Grace (Hayley Atwell) who has been hired to steal one half.
The mission brings Hunt face to face with an old enemy Gabriel (Esai Morales) who is hell bent on making life miserable for Hunt.
The seventh in the series is a long, tense and suspenseful tease in the build up to the breathtaking action sequences and stunts.
Here, director Christopher McQuarrie spends the first half focused on conversations, building the plot, stakes and tension before gifting us his glorious action.
And even when he shifts to action, he is still intent on sustain the drama by embracing and leaning into tragedy, something so few blockbusters do these days. Let’s just say a favourite character does not make it until the end this time.
They have struck gold with Atwell, who is a bright addition to the series, as she exudes star appeal and can keep up with the athletic Cruise.
About the only detractor in this film is how hard it works to paint Hunt as a saintly hero, always putting others ahead of himself, even those he has only just met (particularly female, of course).
This is only half the story and part two cannot come soon enough.
Reel Review Roundup 
Leave a comment