Summer 2023 marks Tom Cruise’s return as cinema’s premier action star for another impossible mission: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” Even as Hollywood strikes canceled Japan events, the film’s fan-addressing opening reminds viewers of the franchise’s special place. As the seventh entry and first part of a two-part story, it stands on its own as a satisfying experience.
Director Christopher McQuarrie returns, guiding the familiar Ethan Hunt and team (Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) alongside returning Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and newcomer Grace (Hayley Atwell).
This film offers top-tier entertainment that captivates from start to finish, delivering an exhilarating experience for all viewers.
The core of the story is “the battle for the keys.”
The plot centers on a high-stakes pursuit: the IMF, CIA, a mysterious syndicate, and Gabriel (Esai Morales) each competing to obtain two special keys. These keys are the only means of accessing and potentially controlling a powerful AI known as the Entity.
The film opens with a tense submarine battle, immediately establishing the Entity as an AI that can outwit and endanger human commanders. Although the scene initially appears technically complex, its significance lies in highlighting the film’s central theme: whether AI will gain dominance over humans or if humans can turn the tide and regain control.
Inheriting and Destroying Traditional Elements
Iconic series elements, such as disguise masks, self-destructing messages, and inventive gadgets, are featured and sometimes subverted. Notably, Ilsa’s unexpected death upends audience expectations, showing that no character is safe and that the usual series formula can be broken.
The Essence of Tom Cruise’s Action! The “Death Stunt” Cliff Jump
The Cliff Bike Dive: A Scene for the Film History Books
The film’s highlight is Cruise jumping off a Norwegian cliff on a motorcycle. He performed the stunt himself, repeating it six times and exceeding what the trailer had promised.
The quiet jump, followed by the famous theme music, makes this action scene truly memorable. Cruise’s careful preparation shows in how perfectly he pulls it off.
The bike used for the dive was a customized Honda CRF250, right?
Orient Express Action: The Appeal of Vertical Movement
The train action scene delivers thrilling vertical movement. The intense fight as the train falls off a bridge combines suspense and visual splendor. Filming with real train cars heightens realism, evoking memories of Uncharted 2 (2009).
Rome Car Chase: A Perfect Balance of Comedy and Thrill
Ethan and Grace’s car chase, while handcuffed together, blends big action with just the right amount of humor. Their escape in a Fiat 500 also makes the most of the Italian backdrop.
The Troublemaker Heroine vs. The Ultimate Team
New Character: Grace (Haley Atwell)
Grace stands out as a controversial new character. Initially introduced as a skilled thief, she repeatedly makes choices that hinder the IMF, causing conflict within the team. A notable example is when her indecision during a high-pressure exchange leads to a critical moment, indirectly resulting in Ilsa’s death, which is especially difficult for fans given Ilsa’s established role since Mission: Impossible 5.
Despite these frustrations, Grace’s transformation by the film’s end, along with her compelling performance, leaves viewers anticipating her role in PART TWO.
The Maturity of Existing Characters
Benji and Luther provide a sense of stability born from their long-standing friendship. Luther’s nurturing support for Ethan after Ilsa’s loss, and Benji’s technical expertise in assisting with the dangerous bike dive, were particularly moving moments for longtime fans.
The Charisma of the Antagonists: Gabriel and Paris
Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, brings an unsettling energy as the voice of the Entity. Paris, played by Pom Klementieff, also stands out as a psychopathic character, which is a notable departure from her role as Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy. Having a psychopathic villain in the series for the first time feels like a fresh change.
Disguise masks = the best in spy action! The aesthetics of spy gadgets
The scene where he escapes wearing a disguise mask after a poison gas attack at a government summit is a classic moment that encapsulates the traditional appeal of the series. The obvious danger of the green poison gas, followed by the predictable twist of him turning around to reveal a different face, grabs the hearts of fans.
Eddie Hamilton, who edited the scene, said, “We always try to do the mask reveal in new and original ways. This is Mission: Impossible’s signature move.“ In fact, it has been revealed that three mask reveals were originally planned for this film, but one was cut because it ”detracted from the overall significance of the story.”
Another notable mask scene in this film is the scene on the Orient Express where Grace (Hayley Atwell) disguises herself as the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby). Kirby couldn’t hide her excitement: “It was the first time two women did this. It was so much fun.”
The filming technique here is especially clever. In the scene where a mask-making machine creates a perfect face, the filmmakers actually used Kirby’s own face. Her body was hidden below the frame, and the VFX team placed the edge of the briefcase at her neck to make her disappear from the shot. It’s a great example of movie magic.
The Prophetic Theme of “AI vs. Human”
The entity’s attack, mimicking Benji’s voice to confuse Ethan, effectively conveys the terror of a formless enemy. For a series that had previously fought physical adversaries, this new threat of cyberattacks was a novel approach.
Resonance with Contemporary AI Threat Discourse
In an era of rapidly advancing generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, the “AI vs. Humanity” theme feels exceptionally timely. While an entertainment piece, the film earns credit as a socially conscious work addressing the real-world concern of AI run amok.
Positioning in the Action Film Genre
In today’s action cinema, where CGI is ubiquitous, Tom Cruise’s commitment to stunt performance remains invaluable. Alongside the success of Top Gun: Maverick, it symbolizes a return to “authentic action.”
Summary: The Eternal Question Left by the “Man Who Defied the Impossible” for Film History
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an amazing film where Tom Cruise, now over 60, still delivers top-level action. At its core, the movie poses the question of whether people can outsmart the growing threat of AI. This story is both exciting and serves as a cautionary tale for our digital age.
As the seventh film in the series, it’s amazing how this franchise keeps getting stronger. Fans are already looking forward to the new surprises in PART TWO. The director even said, “This was the most dangerous film yet, but the next will be an even more dangerous challenge,” showing that Tom Cruise’s journey is far from over.
This movie is a fantastic big-screen experience and a true example of what makes cinema special. I recommend it to all movie fans.
Can humanity accomplish the “impossible mission” of prevailing over AI in the digital era? PART TWO will answer whether ingenuity and resolve can ultimately determine the future.
