Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One could be the best action you will get this summer! Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. There is no doubt that Tom Cruise and his team know exactly what movie goers want in a summer blockbuster.
It is hard to believe that the first MI film with Cruise as Ethan Hunt released in 1996. What is also as astounding is that almost 30 years later the continuity is almost seamless. This film feels like a 7th generation sequel. Every five or so years they pop out another one with the same basic DNA. Are they formulaic? Sure, for the most part. But the formula is shot full of more and more adrenaline and action so that the viewer doesn’t care.
This one has many familiar faces from the past and present. If you choose to except this film you may want to make sure you have brushed up on the past two films at least. It will be a way to refresh your memory with some of the key players.
By now we are all aware of Tom’s big motorcycle stunt off the side of the mountain. It has been the selling point now for a few years. TBH it does sort of rob you of the wow moment a bit knowing it is coming. Still, on the big screen it is breathtaking. Luckily there are a lot of other fantastic chases, fights, and cliff hanging scenes to make up for it. In fact the final act could be one of the best I have seen on the screen in some time.
Smart people will take more from the story than I did. There is a lot of cyber, AI, techno babble that went in one ear and out the other. I am not sure I still know exactly who the bad guy is and what they are trying to accomplish. But I don’t really care. This was just a sure fun ride from start to finish.
There is more humor – both verbally and visually – than I remember in past offerings. This makes MI:7 one of the most well rounded of the batch.
Mission: Impossible. How long is too long?
The film is 2:46 in length. You certainly get your moneys worth, but the film could have been just as solid at 2:20 or so. Yes we know Tom can run fast. We didn’t need to see it that many times. Also, some of the more dramatic, pensive stares could have been left out. We all have regrets. Just go get the bad guy.
I could talk all day about the pros and cons but at the end of the day this is why we go to the theater. Cruise and crew saved theaters with Top Gun Maverick, and they continue to make films that have to be seen on the big screen. There are a lot of heavy – and long – hitters this summer but I doubt any will go with popcorn and a large drink like Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One
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