Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Here we are in front of the seventh film of the Mission Impossible saga. This time, the story is divided in two movies. We will have to wait until 2024 to know the end of the story. This new opus is a success, brilliantly renewing the saga while maintaining the traditional scheme, with even more spectacular action scenes. No lengths despite its 2h43. The tandem Tom Cruise (actor, producer) and Christopher McQuarrie (screenwriter, director, producer) works wonderfully. They have been working together since 2011, when Christopher McQuarrie scripted the fourth installment of the Mission Impossible saga. This is perhaps why this film has more emotional scenes and also more humor than the previous films. The script incorporates elements from previous films to develop the characters.

How to renew while keeping the scheme of the saga? By grounding the script in the specific dangers of our times and applying Alfred Hitchcock's advice: "the better the villain, the better the movie." But this villain, we will not reveal it so as not to spoil the pleasure of the spectator. Idem for the action scenes, always so spectacular. And how to renew a chase? using the mythical Fiat 500 in the streets of Rome, and a steam locomotive launched at full speed in the English countryside. These two action scenes are particularly successful.

Tom Cruise is always in great shape knowing that he does his own stunts. It's a pleasure to see again the Mission Impossible team with Ving Rhames (Luther), faithful to his part since the first episode, Simon Pegg (Benji) since the third opus and Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust) since the fifth. Special mention to the bubbly Hayley Atwell, ex-Avenger Captain Parker. The saga also recruited a Guardian of the Galaxy, Pom Klementieff. Too bad her role as a killer is a copy of a villain from the James Bond saga.

Tom Cruise revealed that his goal was to travel around the world with this saga. After Paris, he takes us to Italy, Rome and Venice, the United Arab Emirates, Norway and England, to impressive landscapes and sets. Composer Lorne Balfe returns very inspired. The sound designer paid particular attention to the bass in the action scenes. As a result, during the press screening, the bodies vibrated, as well as the armchairs. 

So you have the action movie of the summer and of the year. 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen
Based on Mission: Impossible by Bruce Geller
Produced by Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring : Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Henry Czerny
Cinematography : Fraser Taggart
Edited by Eddie Hamilton
Music by Lorne Balfe
Production companies : Skydance, TC Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates June 19, 2023 (Rome), July 12, 2023 (United States, France)
Running time : 163 minutes

Seen on 27 June 2023 at Pathé Beaugrenelle, Paris, Dolby Cinema

Sabine's Mark:

To my team, Martine, Sylvain, Sabine, Jeremy and Sarah

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One takes audiences on a thrilling, captivating adventure that combines high-tech and low-tech elements, creating a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Tom Cruise reprises the role of the iconic Ethan Hunt and leads the charge against an unconventional antagonist: an artificial intelligence known as the Entity. Unlike typical AI villains, the Entity aims to control all information on Earth, resulting in a disturbingly plausible scenario. One striking scene shows typists feverishly transcribing classified data onto paper to thwart the Entity, offering a visual representation of the clash between technology and the old ways.

Surprisingly, the film isn't just about tech-savvy heroes and computer viruses. Director Christopher McQuarrie establishes that defeating the AI requires a humble metal key composed of two interlocking pieces, a McGuffin reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock stories. Despite initial concerns about a global electronic threat, the fate of civilization is decided through pickpocketing, sleight-of-hand, puzzles, brainteasers, fights and car chases. The climactic sequence takes place on a steam train, highlighting the importance of the gang members' rubber masks as basic technology. Moving away from modern anxieties, this film pays a welcome tribute to the glamorous whims of old Europe, offering a refreshing and enjoyable distraction from real-world concerns.

Returning cast member Henry Czerny reprises his role as Kittridge, head of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), adding a nostalgic touch to the film. Ethan assembles his trusted team, consisting of the confident computer expert played by Ving Rhames, the panicked computer scientist played by Simon Pegg and the rogue MI6 agent played by Rebecca Ferguson. They soon discover that the Entity has a sinister sidekick named Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, who has a personal connection to Ethan's past. The film focuses on Ethan's time before he was a member of the IMF, giving us a better insight into his character. Gabriel is accompanied by a deliciously ferocious assassin played by Pom Klementieff, while Vanessa Kirby returns as the seductive White Widow. In addition, the CIA agents played by Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davis add a fun touch, constantly creating chaos wherever they go.

The film kicks off with a bang as everyone sets off in pursuit of the Abu Dhabi airport. Just as Ethan is about to grab the key, he's foiled by Grace, a stylish thief played by Hayley Atwell, who adds a mischievous, irreverent charm to the story. Hayley Atwell's luminous performance gives the series more humanity than ever. While Ethan remains focused on his mission, Grace experiences a character arc, a mix of terror and nobility through her encounters with the IMF. Although their relationship remains chaste, the playful chemistry between Cruise and Atwell keeps the film bright, likeable and entertaining, making the film's two-and-a-quarter hours feel shorter than they actually are.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, despite the delays and thanks to Tom Cruise's unwavering dedication during the pandemic, stands out as the spy-action film of the year. It's a perfect blockbuster that maintains a coherent tone at all times, despite the abrupt transitions between dark, gloomy moments and lighter scenes. While the film borrows stunts and locations from recent Bond films and other action franchises, it also adds the dough of a cinematic saga that has constantly reinvented itself from film to film. Some sequences are reminiscent of other films released earlier in the year (Fast 10 was also shot in Rome), which dilutes the film's originality a little. 

Mission: Impossible is a franchise that hasn't aged a day, with each film bearing witness to the unwavering commitment of its star, Tom Cruise. Christopher McQuarrie's direction adds a sophisticated touch to the action-packed narrative, elevating the film's status. The combination of stunts performed by Cruise himself, a gripping script revolving around the potential dangers of AI and visually stunning sets creates a truly immersive blockbuster experience. The film respects its heritage while introducing new characters such as Grace, played by Hayley Atwell, who infuses the story with energy and charisma. With remarkable sets, breathtaking cinematography and music that complements the action, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One offers the thrilling escapade fans have been waiting for. The seventh installment in the franchise, it demonstrates that as long as Tom Cruise continues to push the boundaries, the Mission: Impossible series will remain an enduring and beloved benchmark in the world of cinema. To say that we're already looking forward to the new installment, which we hope won't be the last, is an understatement.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen
Based on Mission: Impossible by Bruce Geller
Produced by Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring  Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Henry Czerny
Cinematography : Fraser Taggart
Edited by Eddie Hamilton
Music by Lorne Balfe
Production companies : Skydance, TC Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates June 19, 2023 (Rome), July 12, 2023 (United States, France)
Running time : 163 minutes

Viewed July 09, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 1 seat L20
Reviewed July 11, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Imax room seat E19

Mulder's Mark: