Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Tom Cruise returns in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and he proves once again why he is the unrivaled master of the action genre. With jaw-dropping stunts and an adrenaline-fueled plot, this seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise delivers sheer excitement from start to finish.

The movie opens with a legendary stunt that has already become the stuff of cinema folklore. Cruise’s death-defying motorcycle leap off a cliff, followed by a parachute descent onto a speeding Orient Express, sets the tone for the outrageous thrills to come. It’s a spectacle that leaves audiences gasping in awe and reinforces Cruise’s status as the ultimate action hero.

The film follows Ethan Hunt (Cruise), the enigmatic and ultra-fit leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). Tasked with deniable and perilous missions by a shadowy US government agency, Hunt and his team find themselves facing off against a formidable enemy who seeks to obtain a powerful object capable of controlling or destroying the world. As the stakes rise, Hunt assembles his crew, including the witty Benji (Simon Pegg), the loyal Luther (Ving Rhames), and the resourceful Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), to stop the impending catastrophe.

One of the film’s highlights is the impressive stunt work that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. From a frenetic car chase through the streets of Rome in a tiny yellow Fiat to breathtaking train sequences reminiscent of Paddington 2, the action sequences are meticulously crafted and exhilarating. Tom Cruise’s horsemanship in the Arabian desert adds an extra layer of excitement, showcasing his dedication to delivering awe-inspiring performances.

The ensemble cast shines, with each member bringing their unique flair to the team dynamics. Vanessa Kirby returns as the enigmatic arms dealer, White Widow, while Pom Klementieff delivers a memorable performance as a formidable martial-arts expert. Hayley Atwell injects her English sang-froid into the role of Grace, a charismatic criminal who becomes an integral part of the team. The chemistry among the cast members keeps the audience engaged and invested in the high-stakes mission.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One also embraces its roots by featuring the trademark elements fans have come to love. Cruise’s sprinting scenes and the clever use of rubber masks make a welcome return, now accompanied by a lighthearted comedy angle that involves face-tugging suspicions and a hilarious mishap involving Benji’s mask-making contraption.

As the franchise’s seventh installment, one can’t help but wonder about Cruise’s future in the series. Nevertheless, he continues to defy expectations, looking better than ever at the age of 61. With his unwavering commitment to the Mission: Impossible films, Cruise has elevated the action genre, becoming the savior of the cinematic experience.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One thrives on its pure fun factor, seamlessly blending the realms of silliness and seriousness. The film constantly pushes the boundaries, aiming for grander spectacles with each installment instead of resting on its laurels. It’s an achievement worth marveling at, and fans of the franchise will be left eagerly anticipating Part Two.

Release dates: July 8 in Australia, July 12 in the UK and the US.