Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One review

In a world with A.I. and nuclear threats, it’s always good to know that somewhere in the world is Tom Cruise jumping off a cliff or out of a plane, making sure that we are safe. But at what cost? After almost 5 years Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and company are back.

Following on from the excellent 6th installment; Fallout, this time we are treated to, wait for it, Mission: Impossible, Dead Reckoning – Part One. All major, surviving, characters from Fallout return including Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), Benji (Simon Pegg) Luther (Ving Rhames) and The White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), as well as introducing Grace (Hayley Atwell) and new threat, Gabriel (Esai Morales).

If you haven’t seen Fallout it’s recommended you watch it before you take a trip to the cinema, and really this one should be seen on the biggest screen. This was watched in a cinema with Dolby Atmos, (and sounds incredible), but talking about the big screen number of people mentioned that they will be returning to watch it on IMAX.

Dead Reckoning delves into the realm of artificial intelligence and its potential to shape world powers. In an era dominated by ChatGPT and AI advancements, the movie provides a timely examination of how these technologies could be harnessed to establish dominance. Additionally, it continues the Cold War theme, using a Russian submarine and a mysterious key as catalysts for a gripping chain of events.

But, the A.I., the submarine, and the key are secondary to the action and as Benjy makes a point in the film, don’t look too closely at the detail, (or plot for that matter) as if you look too closely, you will see a bad guy, science and possibly even physics that don’t make much sense, but with the constant action and stunts,  Dead Reckoning Part One is a blockbusting thrill ride and the details won’t affect your enjoyment.

As now is expected in Mission Impossible films, the IMF globe-trotting includes another spectacular chase, this time through Rome with pickpocket Grace (Hayley Atwell) who bounces off of Cruise. They have great chemistry, and their chase also manages to include some light relief with a Mr Bean-esq chase, up against the maniacal Paris, played by Pom Klementieff who is best known for playing Mantis in Marvel’s Guardians of The Galaxy. She is as cool as they come here.

The action is relentless throughout the film, with knife fights, nuclear bombs, and masks(!); dotting from country to country, not content with a car chase around Rome we are also treated to a runaway train in the spectacular finale. It’s gripping.

You might be slightly concerned looking at the 2-hour 45 runtime but it really does fly by, with each location another chance for another breathless mission

The film has heart. The thread that links the films and gives the heart to the franchise is the friendship between the team, Luther, Benji and Ethan who only have each other due to the circumstances that brought them to the IMF. These deep friendships add to the jeopardy faced throughout the film, and along with Ethan’s connection with the returning mysterious former MI6 agent Ilsa, they really pull at the heartstrings. The way the team’s bond has evolved also means they have relaxed with each other and there is definitely an increase in laughs for us between them.

Dead Reckoning Part One is only half of the story and if the next episode is anything like part one then it cannot come soon enough. Part One is a spectacle, and if you are a fan of the series already, you needn’t worry about any drop in quality as with each prior film it takes it up a notch. Impossibly, Tom Cruise continues to push the himself and the franchise to new heights.

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is in cinemasnfron 10th July