Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: Is this the Movie of the Year so far?

Photos from Paramount Pictures International

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The Mission: Impossible franchise has been going at it for over two decades now. And yet, it seems to have no signs of slowing down. The tandem of Christopher McQuarrie, director of the M:I films since the Rogue Nation installment, and cinema icon Tom Cruise, appear to have cracked the formula for creating some of the most thrilling and heart-pounding action films in cinema. 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which is the franchise’s seventh installment, is no exception. It is over two and a half hours of gripping and jaw-dropping action. The Mission: Impossible franchise prides itself in capturing these action sequences using mostly practical effects and stunts, which is something I really appreciate about the franchise. There isn’t a heavy reliance on CGI, which a lot of action films rely on nowadays. 

This is best captured through Tom Cruise’s motorcycle stunt where he hops on a custom-made Honda CRF 250 and rides off ramp on the side of Helsetkopen Mountain in Norway (which is 1,200 meters above sea level by the way) and plunges himself into the ravine below before opening his parachute. He goes on to do this stunt seven more times to make sure the crew gets the perfect shots for this sequence. The dedication is truly unmatched. 

Of course, stunning action sequences aren’t the only elements of a great action film. The story and the plot need to be of significance as well. While I find the story to be just as gripping and as thrilling as the action, a part of me can’t help but feel like the situation regarding the main antagonist is a bit far-fetched; almost The Terminator-esque to some degree (if you go see the film, you’ll understand why).

Usually the plot of these Mission: Impossible movies would revolve around an adversary seeking some sort of weapon or power to either control the world or destroy it. Pretty standard stuff. And more often than not, it’s an idea we can wrap our heads around. While this movie undoubtedly does have those elements, it does add a bit of a futuristic twist with this adversary. 

In my opinion, this is in no way a deal-breaker for the film. Personally, I quite enjoyed this direction as it felt unique to the franchise, and to some extent, felt quite contemporary. I did notice however, that there seemed to be a few plot holes in the film regarding Ethan Hunt’s past, the way the adversary works, and a few others. However, I am reminded that this is only part one of the installment, and that unanswered questions we may have will be tackled in part two. 

The story, while filled with a ton of action sequences, also has a lot of heart. The actors deliver excellent performances, wherein you can always feel the emotional and mental state they are in. This undoubtedly helps drive the story further. 

The cast truly delivered some heartfelt (and at times comedic) performances. The on-screen chemistry between them was excellent. Whether it’s the mainstays like Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson or newcomers like MCU alumni, Pom Klementieff and Hayley Atwell, everyone played a massive part making the viewer invest themselves into the story and the characters.

All-in-all, Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise delivered once again. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an amazing spectacle full of the action and the thrilling storyline you would come to expect from this franchise. It is a must-see movie, and in my opinion, one of the best films of the year so far. I can’t wait for what Part Two has in store for us, especially if it will truly be a finale for the franchise. We can only expect it to be bigger and better.

For those who have yet to see this film, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go to your nearest cinema, purchase a ticket, and enjoy this incredible blockbuster. This movie review will self-destruct in five seconds…