MISSION IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING (2023) Movie Review

★★★★☆

Tom Cruise needs surgery. But not for any possible muscle injury or strains he sustained from these outlandish stunts he’s done for us. It’s because for the post-Covid years, he’s been carrying cinema on his back to keep the big blockbusters alive. He did it with Top Gun Maverick and in 2023, which I deem ‘The Grim Reaper of Summer Blockbusters’, he’s does it again with Dead Reckoning. 

Every film he does has its spectacle, not just in the fabulous action sequences, try to stand as its own unique entity. And of course Tom Cruise who no studio makes him dance to their tune, it's always the other way around. Through his stunts or work as a producer, Cruise is a force that isn't stopping any time soon. So, in short, the plot is recycled and the characters haven't exactly had a Rocket Raccoon arc at this stage, but there is enough to keep it going.

Hunt has never been a suave badass like Bond or virtually indestructible like Dom Toretto. Anytime there could be chance for an elaborate stunt that defies physics, McQuarie and Cruise opt to subvert that, either adding some well timed comedy or, more preferably, have Hunt narrowly scrape through the predicament. He's not the most fascinating of heroes but the emphasis on the humanity of Hunt, something we can appreciate a star stalked by several media brouhaha like Cruise, is appreciated. Another is the electrifying chemistry betweenthe cast and characters. 

Veteran members Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are still integral to Ethan's morality; Rebecca Ferguson is still superb, although her role is smaller than one would believe. Henry Cznery returns after a four movie absence yet his scenes with Cruise feel so natural and convey a huge history even without him being present for most of it. Vanessa Kirby, the love of my life, continues to blitz every scene she is in and is always a welcomed presence both as a performer and a fun character. But Haley Atwell almost steals the show, even from Cruise.

The chemistry between the two sparks like the largest firework display and again her character recycles much of Ethan's chemistry with Ferguson's Ilsa yet the production team find a way to make her feel unique. Atwell is charming, ambiguous and although responsible for a lot of the ongoings remains fun, interesting and likeable all the way. Hey, Phoebe Waller Bridge, take notes!

Esai Morales makes for a fine antagonist, however, his character is the most affected by the division of this final outing. A personal connection between him and Hunt feels very unexplored and requires far more resonance rather than hanging the reveals for the next chapter.

Whilst Morales feels underused, Pom Klementieff fills in the gaps with the coolest hench... er, person (?) the franchise has given us. The overarching threat is a very interesting concept, an Al with a living conscious and the ability to control the world's intelligence networks.

Whilst replicating the same premise of chasing a maguffin, this entry's artefact offers considerable intrigue into the duality of information distributed and global control over thought and knowledge. Also, Al is quite topical at the moment, can't think why though...

What could be potentially off-putting is the ever-infamous 'two part' rule this series has adopted. Across two months, this year has seen three films end on cliffhangers for the follow up. Spiderverse had one that left me deflated as it was so abrupt and left many things hanging. 

Dead Reckoning ends its part one more graciously. It's singular mission for this outing differs from the one we will have next year and enough has been wrapped up for this to be its own movie, much like how Two Towers or Back to the Future Il ended with their conflicts resolved for the benefit of the following conclusion to the series.

Dead Reckoning is not only another home run for Mission Impossible, but it's putting almost all of Hollywood's latest output to shame, not just the bad ones but even its equals. The cast, old and new, appear as delightful as in every outing; the visuals please the eyes; the direction is meticulous; and the action is gold standard for the genre.