Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning: Part One (2023) Action Movie Review

Director Christopher McQuarrie, Cruise, and their team deliver a thrilling experience in this film. Clocking in at a bold 163 minutes, the movie manages to keep audiences engaged without feeling overly long. While some repetitive spy jargon about the mission's importance may test patience, McQuarrie surprises with brilliantly conceived action sequences that make it all worthwhile.

In its seventh installment, the "Mission: Impossible" series cleverly connects back to its 1996 origins, creating a bridge between the two halves of the franchise. Although not an origin story, "Dead Reckoning Part One" explores Ethan Hunt's journey and purpose, echoing the approach of "Casino Royale" in deconstructing a beloved character.

The film delves into Hunt's past, with visual nods and callbacks to the original film directed by Brian De Palma. Fraser Taggart's cinematography intentionally evokes the first movie, highlighting Hunt's evolution as an agent and the ongoing costs he bears.

The storyline introduces a new mission involving former IMF director Eugene Kittridge, played by Henry Czerny. Kittridge reveals the existence of a rogue A.I. that global powers are vying to control. The A.I. is manipulable with a key split into two halves, one of which is about to hit the black market. Hunt, along with his team, including familiar faces Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg), must intercept the key and decipher its purpose. The key's significance hinges on IMF's ability to determine where and how to use it.

As Hollywood grapples with industry uncertainties, "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" stands out as an exciting and well-crafted addition to the iconic series, once again showcasing Ethan Hunt's ability to tackle the impossible.

After a desert showdown bringing back Ilsa Faust, the first big action in “Dead Reckoning Part One” unfolds at the Dubai airport. Here, Hunt discovers new players in the spy game, notably Gabriel (Esai Morales), a villainous mercenary tied to Hunt's past. Unlike Ethan, Gabriel is a chaos agent, devoid of empathy, working for an A.I. aiming to control a crucial key.

The airport chaos introduces a pickpocket named Grace (Hayley Atwell) and agents pursuing the rogue Ethan. Vanessa Kirby returns as White Widow, but her role lacks the impact. Yet, fans are here for Tom Cruise's iconic running scenes, a defining image of "Mission: Impossible."

The film stands out for prioritizing movement and action over CGI reliance. It's a thrilling blend of modern and old-school, reminiscent of classic action films. The choreography, rivaled only by “John Wick: Chapter 4,” makes every punch and crash visceral and real.

Thematically, the movie explores a movie star battling A.I. and questioning his job's purpose, offering a meta aspect. As Cruise faces questions about priorities in his unique work/life balance, it adds depth to the action.

Ultimately, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” is a blast. Despite its length, it feels shorter and packs enough memorable action for multiple franchises. Whether Cruise saves the blockbuster experience again is uncertain, but the film promises an incredibly fun ride, leaving audiences eager for more.