Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1 Review: Tom Cruise ups the ante yet again

Mission: Impossible series has been around for almost three deces. We've seen Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) embark on seemingly impossible missions set against backdrop of life-altering obstacles. Be it a syndicate looking to topple governments, nuclear threats, or a possible spre of a virus, Hunt and IMF (Impossible Mission Force) unit have mand to come out on top. 

In Mission: Impossible - De Reckoning Part One, we see an ing Hunt face off against t a human threat, but artificial intelligence. All elements from previous Mission: Impossible films are well intact. What's new is that Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie rev up action quotient. Plus, re’s plenty of deceit, plot twists and situational comedy to keep viewers engd. With this outing, MI franchise redefines itself by showing a blatantly emotional side of Hunt. 

3 things you need to kw: 

• Mission: Impossible - De Reckoning Part 1 is 7th film in action franchise. 
• Christopher McQuarrie returned for third time to direct film. 
• Mission: Impossible 7 tries to ground franchise by showing emotional side of Ethan Hunt. 

(Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie on set of Mission Impossible - De Reckoning Part 1 | Im: MissionFilm/Twitter)

Hot Take

De Reckoning - Part 1 does much of same. It has high-speed car chases and high-stake situations we’ve seen before. However, it leans heavily onto an emotional Ethan Hunt. Elsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and Hunt were shown in previous films to be getting closer. However, with inclusion of Grace (Hayley Atwell), situation has become complicated. Hunt cares a bit too much about her, almost hinting at a possible romance. This is a problematic angle, but t necessarily alien to franchise. De Reckoning is just embracing it. Earlier, Mission: Impossible III (2006) h Hunt caught up between his duty and his heart. suppressed feelings of love and care make a comeback.

Is Mission: Impossible 7 worth hype? 

Entity: An unpredictable enemy 

new MI film introduces an enemy called Entity, which is manipulating techlogy for its personal nda. Much of film is about obtaining failsafe against it. Throughout this journey, Entity is shown to possess capabilities that extend far beyond any prior enemies Hunt and IMF have faced. Hunt is fighting against a threat that is very modern and relevant. 

(Ethan Hunt holding onto a key in Mission: Impossible 7 | Im: MissionFilm/Twitter)

This pivot towards an alien enemy is a new and exciting element of franchise. Moreover, De Reckoning - Part 1 does t give away entire story, which just makes anticipation for final confrontation much more effective. 

An attempt at realism

Mission: Impossible films rely on suspension of disbelief. While universe may seem similar to our own, techlogical vancements that are casually thrown around always take away from film’s realistic appeal. This problem was re in MI: Fallout, where abandonment of laws of physics helped in pushing plot ahe. 

(Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust in Mission: Impossible 7 | Im: MissionFilm/Twitter)

De Reckoning Part 1 tries to rectify this mistake. While re are fewer ggets to play around with, characters interact in a much more realistic environment. When US Director of National Security comes to kw about Entity, idea he presents is to control, t destroy Entity. A similar response is implied to be coming in from or government representatives. It’s still very much a work in progress, as it is mentioned at one point that Entity “fears” Ethan Hunt. It’s an irrational but powerful dialogue.

Situational comedy at its finest 

most dire of situations present best opportunities for situational comedy. In De Reckoning, this is case and director has me most of opportunity. In Ghost Protocol (2011), we saw hilarious moments amid all action. This broke tension that plot h to offer. This film also does it in same way and even uses it to regulate how seriously audience is able to take situation. 

Tom Cruise: A daredevil at 61 

A large part of Mission: Impossible films has been about stunts. Cruise is kwn to perform most of m himself. Each franchise has featured better action sequences than previous ones, both in terms of scale and treatment. If Hunt climbing free solo, suspending himself from Burj Khalifa and hanging on side of a flying plane was t eugh, MI 7 features some heart-pounding action sequences that are thrilling and edge-of--seat.

De Reckoning - Part 1 cranks volt on stunts. Christopher McQuarrie takes his time to build storyline before giving a taste of action. About 40 minutes into film, Hunt rides motorcycle at high speeds. n ensues a highly engaging car chase in narrow and crowded bylanes of Venice.

(Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 7 | Im: MissionFilm/Twitter)

best is reserved for climax, which shows Hunt riding a motorcycle off a cliff. BTS clips have alrey shown Tom Cruise doing it all by himself before its release. All stunts in film look auntic, and it is evident that Cruise is clearly one performing m. If you are looking to see some high-octane action MI style, you will t be disappointed.

Watch it or skip it?

For both long-time fans and newcomers, De Reckoning Part 1 will prove to be an enjoyable watch. While fact that it’s a Tom Cruise film would make most viewers go for it without a thought, its storyline grounded in reality also makes a case for it. 

(Tom Cruise performing a stunt for Mission: Impossible | Im: MissionFilm/Twitter)

Bottomline 

De Reckoning Part 1 is a fear in cap of Mission: Impossible franchise. While re are some caveats to it, film proves that 61-year-old actor is t going to stop any time soon. Mission: Impossible - De Reckoning Part 2 releases on June 28, 2024.

Rating: 3.5/5

(This review has been co-authored by Mugdha Kapoor)