Review of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) by Marty_Mcfly_Am — 17 Jul 2023

“Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning - Part one” is one of the most intriguing films of the entire series, above all for how it manages to combine past threats (Esai Morales plays the man who killed Sarah Davies in the historic first chapter) and present (the villain is an Artificial Intelligence that has become sentient and whose ultimate goals are still unclear).

Ethan Hunt is called upon to recover two mysterious keys connected precisely to this mysterious AI and the mission takes him to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, to Rome, Venice and the Alps. With a production budget of $290 million, it is the most expensive film of the series and also one of the most expensive in the history of cinema.

The film sees once again Tom Cruise in the role of the timeless Ethan Hunt; Christopher McQuarrie (Academy Award-winning screenplay for “The Usual Suspects”) as director and screenwriter; but we also find Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby and Henry Czerny. While among the new entries Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham.

This episode is like a dizzying ride, a constant escape, a race against time.

The cinematography captures exceptional landscapes and fast-paced urban scenes, the detailed sets and the use of well-crafted effects and CGI are blended flawlessly, creating a visually immersive experience that enhances the storytelling.

The effective direction works and gives its best in every sequence, especially in the more action ones (the chases are memorable - including those in the streets of Rome - which characterize the main segments of the film) and in the final tense with the train. Perhaps some scenes suffer from the "already seen" effect, perhaps they lack more original ideas, better management of twists and greater exploration of certain narrative or thematic details, but these alleged shortcomings are counterbalanced by Ethan's more reflective and intimate side (which emerges like never before in this farewell journey to the saga) and by the melancholic dynamics of his group of friends.

The screenplay alternates and knows how to balance intrigue, suspense and humour; while the staging, with a fast pace, is very spectacular. Tom Cruise sews the film on himself (more and more breathtaking, dangerous and crazy his stunts: here Tom Cruise's jump with the motorcycle from the top of a mountain).

Very relevant in this work is the central and problematic topic of modern technology (and its use), as well as an increasingly unpredictable development of digital and Artificial Intelligence.

This theme is closely linked to current events, and which allows the work to mainly explore the ethical implications and possible consequences of AI in the world of espionage (but not only).

The script, albeit superficially, raises questions about morality, autonomy and the ever-changing role of technology in the field of global security; but also interesting food for thought on a humanity that has the responsibility of fighting against a digital technology that has developed too much and that can only be stopped by opposing it with the logic of analog and ethics.

In short, the seventh chapter of the series, between its strengths and weaknesses, and between repeated twists and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, continues to give emotions.

A very enjoyable and compelling film in itself, which, apart from a few flaws and signs of tiredness, is confirmed overall as one of the most successful episodes of the saga.