“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”: Tom Cruise versus AI

Paramount Pictures brings us two more installments in the Mission: Impossible saga. And even though there have already been six films in the action series, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” is, for the first time, a story that is not self-contained. This was originally the plan, but due to the corona pandemic and the postponed theatrical release it was decided to release the new film in two parts. It was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who should already be known to die-hard “Mission Impossible” fans, as McQuarrie has already worked on “Mission: Impossible 5 – Rogue Nation” (2015) and “Mission: Impossible 6 – Fallout” (2018). in the starting position. While the latter work was still about plutonium, this time Tom Cruise, aka Ethan Hunt, has a completely different and yet the same problem: a new kind of digital weapon. This time it’s an artificial intelligence that can hack into any network and in the wrong hands could destroy the world. But does the action kick last more than just a moment? Here comes our review.

IMF team against the world powers

In the 156-minute film, Ethan Hunt is hired by the CIA to get a key. However, this consists of two parts that only have an effect when put together: the control of the insanely smart new weapon. When he manages to get the first building block, however, he only really becomes aware of the power of the key. A force the whole world is after. In order to prevent a government from acquiring these and from causing war and destruction with the wrong owner, Ethan decides to single-handedly find the second part of the key with his IMF team.

In the quest, we viewers will meet familiar Mission: Impossible faces like Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, and Vanessa Kirby, making it all the more easy to follow the quest and get involved in sticky situations. Because Hunt’s decision constantly puts the entire team in dangerous situations and turns several parties into their opponents. After all, everyone wants to have power over artificial intelligence, which in itself is complete madness. It’s worth staying tuned: Across the world Ethan finally tries to fight his way through to the second key part in Venice, Rome, Abu Dhabi, Norway and England and has to reach into the typical “M:I” box of tricks every now and then.

Familiar novelties

More of the same, but in good: Knowing how Mission: Impossible movies are constructed, this part might not manage to surprise, but it makes up for it all the more. Despite the film’s length of almost three hours, every second is used for a spectacular action scene or a dramatic twist. From simple tricks to complex deception, everything is at the start. Even if you can sometimes ask yourself whether every single parked car really has to be rammed violently while driving past… But of course, if the budget is there, the destruction scenes are also about bombast for the big screen.

Hunt the Heroic? Although Ethan Hunt takes himself a bit too seriously in the hero role and of course knows everything better than his female companion, the part tries to offer a change from the previous banger moments in the series. During a chase through the most beautiful Italian Rome, the impeccability of the “Mission: Impossible” agent is also targeted. When organizing a getaway car, Tom Cruise, aka Ethan Hunt, runs confidently to the fat Porsche, for example, and when he unlocks it, he realizes that the vehicle is not his. Self-perception versus the perception of others come together here humorously and so Hunt is ultimately allowed to climb a particularly small, shabby car as a getaway car. So while Hunt has to complete a race against time, he squeezes himself into this yellow mini speedster and thus causes a smile between the tense scenes because the attempt to break up the classic image of masculinity is dared.

Conclusion: Anyone expecting a completely new storyline with “Mission: Impossible 7: Dead Reckoning Part One” will most likely be disappointed. Like the previous parts, the seventh differs mainly in terms of mission and story behind the weapon. So no big surprise, but that’s kind of okay with such an iconic series, right?

What to give the Part One of Two: That Tom Cruise in the lead role willingly makes enemies for the safety of the world is also nothing new, but you wouldn’t necessarily expect it from a typical “Mission: Impossible” part . Celebrating suspense and action scenes, this flick will have enough material to cheer you through every fight and every flight. And with artificial intelligence as an over-weapon and the associated digital difficulties, an Ethan Hunt appears almost as a normal person who would probably start sweating or even capitulate without high-tech equipment. This makes saving the world a real challenge even for him – who would have thought?

A visit to the cinema is therefore recommended, because “Mission: Impossible 7: Dead Reckoning Part One” has stories within the story at hand, allowing for a solid balance between exciting ups and the downs necessary for understanding.