Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (Review)

 

“….Your mission, should you choose to accept it,…..”, It never fails to bring smiles on our faces in the theatre knowing very well that a scintillating cinematic experience is about to unfold.

 

What I love the most about the Mission Impossible series, is that we have grown together. This franchise, and me, my generation that is.

 

It started right when we were getting out of our teens. The  boyish charm and charisma of Top Gun’s Pete Maverick (1985), with his leather jacket and aviator Ray Bans, had not yet faded when the first movie of the franchise Mission: Impossible was released in 1996. Since then, the franchise and Ethan Hunt have always stayed true to the times, always thinking one step ahead, and evolving with the times. Each one is a thrilling masterpiece setting new standards. In these 28 years, we have grown older, and he has gone that much younger. Oops !!

 

It all started with a young, charming and no-nonsense Ethan dangling parallel to the floor to

Mission: Impossible (1996)

recover the NOC list from a computer in a floppy drive in Mission: Impossible (1996).

Floppy disc, Seriously!! ...Yup, they were the toast of the times in 1990s. Since then, the NOC List gradually evolved in subsequent parts into Cold War spying, Nuclear Smuggling, Chimera, Rabbit's Foot and Spy Satellites; while the Floppy Disc graduated to CDs, DVDs, Pen Drives and Microdots. But the essence has not changed - unparalleled thrill, mind blowing action and jaw dropping stunts… with Tom Cruise in the centre of it all.

 

Ethan always has had to fight the bad guys out to destroy the world. From Kremlin to the nuclear smugglers to the Biological baddies to the Syndicate or the Entity; always travelling all

Ethan Hunt - Over the Years

over the globe in new looks and different passports; doing hair raising stunts on bikes, cars, trains, aeroplanes, helicopters, buildings, air, water... basically, anywhere you can imagine. But everytime, he transcends to new levels of insanity and adrenaline push. Despite being the seventh movie of the franchise, the all-too-famous Mission Impossible Theme Tune still gives goose bumps, everytime you hear it.

 

Seven movies already, and the eighth one ready to roll out next year, there is a sense of

Ethan Hunt - Over the Years

commonalty all over the franchise. As we evolved through the Mission: Impossible movies over the years, we got into a zone where, no matter what's the task or the difficulty, you know Ethan will do it. You know that he would have filmed the stunts himself. And you know that you will have to prepare to have your adrenaline pumping and your breath stolen as the movie delivers an explosive and jaw-dropping cinematic experience. Dead Reckoning Part One does all that, and more, that sets the bar for summer blockbusters this year.

Having a gripping narrative, hair raising action sequences and mind-bending stunts, it is, arguably, a modern masterpiece and a must-see for action enthusiasts and moviegoers alike. With Rogue Nation (2015) and Fall Out (2018), we know the earlier exploits of Director Christopher McQuarrie with the franchise. And with Dead Reckoning Part One, he once again proves his exceptional talent for creating an exhilarating and immersive movie experience. Throughout its running time of 163 minutes, the pace never slackens a bit. McQuarrie's phenomenal storytelling seamlessly blends intense action, light banters, no-holds-barred espionage, and character development, creating a harmonious symphony of excitement and depth. 

Staying true to the times, Dead Reckoning Part One brings to you the rogue side of Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality. So there is an enemy which cannot be seen, and it is smart enough to do all that you cannot think of.

Tom Cruise returns as the talismanic Ethan Hunt, and continues to defy the laws of physics and deliver awe-inspiring stunts that will leave you breathless. His dedication and fearlessness bring an authentic intensity to the screen, elevating the film to new heights. It's impossible not to be in awe of his physical prowess and the risks he takes to entertain his audience. Soft reminder, he is 61 years old !!

So this time, Ethan Hunt and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon - a  mind-reading, shape-shifting creator of chaos - that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. How they got to handle it is best explained by Luther ,"You’re playing 4-dimensional chess. Chess with an algorithm. Start thinking like it. Cold, Methodical. Logical."

Dead Reckoning Part One has more action, stunts, and set pieces than any of its predecessors. You have the usual close to heart Luther, Benji and Ilsa Frost who are all pushed to their limit in their battle against the Entity. So in his very first scene in the movie, when Ethan recruits a new team member, his words, "We live and die in the shadows, for those we hold close - and those we never meet", echo in our hearts. Ethan and his team remain disavowed and you know that they have given their lives to the nation without looking at anything in return. 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 ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

The wily old former IMF Director Eugene Kittridge is back and Kittridge's return works so well for Dead Reckoning because of how closely he is tied to Ethan's past. Look out for the interesting conversation at the beginning, during an intelligence briefing, wherein the top intelligence honchos are discussing IMF... "When there’s a mission none of you can handle, you “leave word.” 

The franchise's iconic femme fatale, Ilsa Frost, briefly returns here, acting as the harbinger of the Entity. As brief as Ilsa's role is, the character still makes quite an impact therein. As one of the first members of Ethan's team to discover the Entity, she becomes convinced of the danger it poses to the world, sending her associates into a nosedive as they attempt to defeat the rogue AI before it destroys everything. Overall, Ilsa Faust, shines once again with her fierce determination and magnetic presence.

There is this exciting addition of Grace's character at the beginning of the movie. The thief, who accidentally finds herself in the middle of Ethan Hunt's war against the villainous Entity, is less concerned with morality and more focused on building a life for herself. Her selfishness plays a major role in the plot of the movie, as she learns to make sacrifices for the greater good.  You couldn't help smiling when she says "You Can't Blame A Girl For Trying To Make A Dishonest Living." When his team recruits Grace to join them, Ethan Hunt makes a bold statement in his attempts to convince her. "Your Life Will Always Matter More To Me Than My Own." After having lost Ilsa Faust only hours earlier, Ethan recognizes that he cannot promise Grace's safety in their upcoming Mission. Yet, he does confirm that he will always value her life - and the lives of his friends - above his own. And boy, what an entry he makes inside that train in Austrian Alps to save Grace and stay true to his words.

Continuuing with the hallowed legacy of the baddies like Max, Ambrose, Owen Davian and Soloman Lane, MI-7 had to deliver a bad boy to us. So, Esai Morales makes his debut in the Mission: Impossible franchise as Gabriel, a sci-fi villain without a conscience working for the mysterious Entity. Obsessed with the Entity's ability to tell the future, Gabriel often speaks in absolutes, claiming to have already read the fate of everyone whom he encounters on his mission. A truly terrifying villain, Gabriel has an uncanny knowledge of the future, provided by his AI ally. As such, when he claims to know how someone's story ends, it is almost guaranteed that he is telling the truth. However, after suffering a defeat at the hands of Ethan Hunt at the end of the film, it is becoming increasingly clear that Gabriel does not have as much control over the future as he would like everyone to think. Expect him back with renewed vigour in Dead Reckoning Part II.

 

And then, the usual suspects Benji Dunn and Luther Stickell perfectly complement Ethan

Hunt, as they have always done. Simon Pegg's comedic timing brings much-needed humour, while Ving Rhames' steadfast loyalty as Luther Stickell tugs at your heartstrings. And, before you ask, No, there is no William Brandt this time.

Balancing high-octane action with a compelling story is the high point of the movie. The plot keeps us engaged by weaving a web of twists and turns, and making us guess till the very end. A smart and intricately crafted script, delivering satisfying payoffs and surprising revelations, that will leave you yearning for more. It will probably be an understatement to say that Mission Impossible 7 is a technical masterpiece. The spectacular cinematography captures the essence of every location, whether it's the sandstorm in Abu Dhabi, majestic beauty of the Norwegian fjords, the bustling streets of London or the awe striking Austrian Alps. In an era dominated by CGI, the practical effects and real-world stunts create an authenticity that is both awe-inspiring and refreshing. The pulse-pounding background score by Lorne Balfe perfectly complements the action, immersing the audience in the heart-stopping moments and elevating the intensity of the movie. Sometime when you are sitting at home, search on YouTube and listen to the original rendition of the main theme to the Mission Impossible soundtrack performed by the Wales Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007.

Suffice to say that Mission Impossible 7 is an exceptional achievement that exceeds all expectations. What sets it aside is its capacity to stabilize excessive motion with moments of true emotion. The characters are given room to breathe and evolve, making their struggles and victories all the more impactful. With its relentless action, compelling storyline, and outstanding performances, it sets a new benchmark for action thrillers. The entire team has crafted an exhilarating cinematic ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Prepare to be captivated, astonished, and thoroughly entertained by this masterpiece.

 

Sooooo, this week, Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see “Dead Reckoning Part One”.

 

Postscript.    As Ethan Hunt prepares to embark on his most dangerous mission yet in Dead Reckoning - Part Two, we are forced to wonder which of MI's main characters will die next. That's what Kittridge reminds Ethan when he says "The closer someone gets to you the harder it is to keep them alive."

 

Credits : Mission Impossible Franchise

Images : Courtesy World Wide Web