Misguided On Occasion but Still An Action-Packed Spy Thriller (Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One) - SPOILER FREE review

The Mission Impossible film franchise has always been known to one up each other with each film and Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning continues that trend, bulldozing the notion that the previous film, Fallout could not be topped. With Tom Cruise and our favorite familiar faces returning, along with some newcomers, Dead Reckoning is part one of two. Unlike recent films this year that seem to be teasing unfinished story meant to be resolved in a year or so, Dead Reckoning Part One does feel like a finished story that is resolved. However, there is more to the mission and audiences will have to wait a year before we see it accomplished. 

Dead Reckoning Part One, sets our hero Ethan Hunt, played by one of the few movie stars that has star quality in the industry, on a mission (and of course he chooses to accept it) that will be much different but also most timely to current issues. With the help of Benji, Luther and Ilsa, Ethan has to acquire the main macguffin of the film in order to save the world once again. That is the best way the movie can be summarized without giving anything away. There are claims that people were not aware as to what the main threat of the film was when it was clealty addressed in trailers. 

What I can say is that this installment of a 27 year old franchise still manages to be entertaining. From start to finish, the film does not stop for the audiences to catch their breath. Unlike most franchises, but most commonly ones that seem too interconnected, there is no need to do your homework for this film unless you are fans of the franchise. In order to have an idea of the chemistry and dynamics between characters, it would be helpful but other than that, Dead Reckoning PArt On manages to stand on its own as a perfect flawless action film. As a film itself, it is debatable. 

In a nutshell, from the overly rehearsed fight sequences and chases, John Wick has no competition against the practical stunts pulled off here. The final act of this film is the most exciting of all. the train scene in this film is great if not iconic. Many film have tried to recreate the tension and worry audiences felt back in The Lost World's trailer scene. Nothing has been as exhilarating, if not more, as the final act of this film. I know everyone will be talking anout Cruise's crazy motorcycle jump before the movie, but train scene will be the talk of the hour once you leave the cinema. 

Like I said, the action in this film is breathtaking, and almost too flawless, especially if you're talking about Christopher McQuarrie's directing this time around. It is hard to tell between the transition of J.J. Abrams involvement in the franchise to when McQuarrie and Cruise's visions start blurring together. This film finally makes the change to finally showcase that McQuarrie is a director worth keeping your eyes open for. Alot of the shots and editing choices made for this film hones into the idea that this is not just any action film but a spy thriller. There's a hard difference between these two genres and this film solidies that fact the same way The Winter Solider did or any of the Daniel Craig James Bond movies did. 

Unfortunately, not every part of this movie, or this franchise is perfect, especially when it comes to their female characters. There's been a pattern of changing the female member of Ethan Hunt's team with each movie. We thought that pattern changed when they brought Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust's in Rogue Nation, becoming a fan favorite in the franchise. With the inclusion of Hayley Atwell this time around, it feels a little like taking one step forward and three steps back. This is also something to go back and forth on considering that this Hayley Atwell's most engaging and entertaining role since the short lived Agent Carter show. She finally is front and center and her acting chops is exquisitely put to good use. Her character may remind audiences of Phoebe Waller Bridge's character in the recent Indiana Jones movie but Atwell manages to carry it better. Her chemistry with the alum cast itself is almost like she had been in the franchise before. She has yet to have a full-fledged fight sequence, but that did not stop her from being a likeable and rootable character, instead of an inferior part of the plot that helps move it along. 

Atwell is not the only Marvel star in this film, when people come across Pom Klementieff as ragtag right hand to the supposed villain of the film. Despite donning a compelling but unoriginal manner, Klementieff really does not have much to do. She barely has lines in this film. She mostly stares at our characters in hopes of slicing them up with her fencing sword. She does not even have a memorable fight scene other than drive a truck like a maniac. It is disappointing to see her utilised this way especially after her underappreciated work in the Guardians of the Galaxy parts of the MCU. The same can be said for Esai Morales that is used as an the anatagonist of this film. No maniacal villian was as unmemorable as he was here. Vanessa Kirby could have been used as the main focus on this part of the plot but she was sidelined once again, more so than the last time with her lack of action scenes (not that she had many to begin with in Fallout).

Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are a delight as Ethan’s backbone for that he would never be the hero he is without them. Yes, he does the crazy jumps and is apart of the bigger set pieces but their dynamic as a trio is what makes Mission Impssible something to look forward to, especially if the three of them are involved. 

Dead Reckoning Part One does not pull its punches for it leaves audiences breathless by the time the credits roll. You are not left wanting more like most two parters but that is not going to stop audiences from wanting to see the next film as soon as possible. The film is not perfect but it is an action phenemonon that film franchises should be learning from when it comes to risk taking and getting audiences engaged with both storyline and everything happening around it from action to slapstick comedy.