MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE (2023) – Another perfect score from Tom Cruise!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s hard to believe that the first Mission Impossible film starring Tom Cruise was released 27 years ago, and that he’s still going strong at the age of 61! Even more difficult to comprehend is that Tom Cruise looks and acts like someone a fraction of his age, and performing stunts that are far riskier and more intricate than what he used to do. With its unmatched plot and relentless action set pieces, this latest Mission Impossible chapter is undoubtedly the most ambitious and my personal favorite of the series.The 2 hours and 43 minutes of running time flew by thanks to the constant action on screen and a compelling plot involving yet another global disaster. The difference this time is that the villain is unseen because it is an artificial intelligence-based adversary.
Dead Reckoning Part One, like Top Gun Maverick last year, provides the type of blockbuster entertainment that we used to get in the 1970s through 1990s. Surprisingly, it not only delivers the action, but it does so at a level significantly superior to previous action pictures. The major action sequences in this film include an extremely fast-paced car chase in the heart of Rome that is quite possibly the best ever filmed, a train disaster that is nail-biting and rivals anything we have seen in disaster films before, and the much-hyped aerial jump stunt that is flawlessly executed. Everything looks real and not CGIed. Even though it all seems familiar, it still looks and feels brand new. Surprises and challenges are always incorporated into the stunts and action sequences. The standard has been raised higher than ever before, making them a difficult act to follow. Despite the constant action on screen, the film still provides moments to develop the characteriszation and plot logic.
Few franchises can maintain or even improve on the standards and original traits that made them a success. The Mission Impossible series, like the John Wick and James Bond series, has proven time and again that it becomes bigger and better with each new addition. Much of the success of MI can be attributed to the solid collaborative teamwork led by Tom Cruise and returning director Christopher McQuarrie. Their passion for the craft is evident, and we, the audience, are grateful to be able to enjoy the products of their labour. This is what makes going to the movies so enjoyable and addictive. I can’t wait to see what insane stunts Part Two has in store for us.