Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

SYNOPSIS: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

The Mission Impossible franchise has slowly started to creep up as one of my favorite film franchises of all-time. Other than MI2, there really hasn’t been a bad entry. It’s even more rare that a franchise gets better as it gets older, but Mission Impossible does just that. The reliance on doing things practically from the lead, Tom Cruise, is one of the biggest reasons why this continues to be a top tier cinematic experience with each entry. I decided, with very poor planning, to binge the entire franchise once again before this newest entry and that added to the already huge level of anticipation for Dead Reckoning Part One. 

This film absolutely rips. There is always a level of skepticism around these films to see if they can actually hold up to the earlier entries, and every time they continue to raise the bar. The stunts here are outrageous. Tom Cruise driving a motorcycle off of a cliff is something you will only find with Mission Impossible and that moment is worth the price of entry alone. It’s further than just the physical action, it is also the way it is filmed and the level of detail that goes into each stunt. Just go watch the multiple featurettes and you will understand what I’m saying. It’s a continuous thrill-ride that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Christopher McQuarrie is so good at these films in particular and is great here once again.

The cast I think really excels in this entry alone. The new additions are some of the standouts.  Pom Klementieff is absolutely terrifying and plays such a good side villain and Hayley Atwell very well might be the best part of this film besides the action. Beyond just the new additions, the classic cast works very well. Cruise is great as Hunt and Rebecca Ferguson delivers a brilliant performance as well.   

The writing is good. I personally really liked the take on AI and the fear of artificial intelligence. It does it in a way that doesn’t vilify AI as a whole, but shares a grave warning of what could happen in the future if that power is used for bad. I liked what they did. The film takes a hot minute to get going and the pacing drags at times, but once the story really gets going, it never lets up. The other high point is the fact that even though it is a true part 1, it is still it’s own story that feels complete.

FINAL: Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 is yet another high point in the action genre and will stand the test of time in a franchise that continues to age like a fine wine. The action is the standout as always, the direction is really solid and the performances across the board are at an all time high. While at times it drags, the writing is really interesting and keeps you engaged. A very satisfying summer blockbuster that sets up a very bright future for the IMF and the Mission Impossible franchise. This is why you go to the movies.

Point Breakdown:

15 for Writing: 14

15 for Performances: 15

10 for Entertainment: 10

10 for Direction: 9

10 for Emotions: 10

5 for Cinematography: 5

5 for Score: 5

5 for Pacing: 4

15 for Technical: 14

5 for Rewatchability: 5

5 for Automatic: 5

Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1: 96/100

Jack Lautaret is a Banana Meter approved film critic, Host of the Jack Lautaret YouTube Channel and writer for Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Online Film and Television Association. Twitter: @JackLautaret