MartyK0015mp’s review published on Letterboxd:
Our lives are the sum of our choices. And we cannot escape the past, Ethan, this mission of yours is going to cost you.... Dearly.
First time watch.
Odeon - IMAX.
+ When a new threat threatens humanity, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team must track it down before it gets into the wrong hands. This mission forces Ethan to consider that nothing can matter more than the mission - not even the lives of those he cares about most.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again Tom Cruise has SAVED not just the Summer season, but the whole cinematic experience. He came along with 'Top Gun: Maverick' last summer where the cinematic experience was in serious doubt. Now he returns to save this summer season after one too many lackluster films with 'Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One', a film that had a infamous production shoot.
The Cruise/McQuarrie partnership is hitting a all time high. Nothing can really derail this streak. Not even a world-threating pandemic to say the least...
The film is non-stop entertainment. Never does the film lull at any point, nothing dragged during it almost 3hrs runtime (maybe couple of scenes could have their pace slightly improved but nothing major).
Any criticisms I have I'll put here before moving on:
• I don't think the overall story narrative and flow is as strong as previous 'MI' films, maybe that's down to the fact that this is a "part One" of the story. • There are times where, especially in the third act, where backgrounds felt a bit wonky, either the CGI was a bit off or if it was down to McQuarrie's choice to shoot the film on digital, but it was something I did noticed couple of times. • Not really a massive criticism, but this is going to divide an lot of people giving some choices that plays out... • Again, not a massive criticism, but giving the production delays and COVID protocols in place at the time of filming, the budget skyrocketed to a astonishing $290m! But I have faith in TC! • It is a downgrade on 'Fallout' but let's be honest, anything after 'Fallout' would be.• I liked Esai Morales' performance, but his character isn't strong, hopefully 'Part Two' will help his development.
Even though I've just criticised that the story narrative isn't as strong as previous films, I do like what the plot involves with AI, McQuarrie was ahead of the game when he wrote this few years back, he obviously knew something we didn't back then.🤔
I love the little details that harkens back to Brian De Palma's original film. Especially the dutch angles with the fast dialogue.
It does seem like these 'Mission Impossible' films knows how to find the perfect cast. That's the case here once again, obviously we have the series veterans in Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Queen Rebecca Ferguson, we see the return of Vanessa Kirkby and Henry Czerny (he was great), but we get some good additions like Pom Klementieff's Paris and Hayley Atwell's Grace, who I believe is the main standout of the film, she is the scene-stealer. I enjoyed her character, Atwell and Cruise had great chemistry.
We get a tense airport sequence staright after the opening credits. But I think it was only made for us just to see Tom Cruise rocking his "Maverick" sunglasses, because one else can rock those sunglasses unless your called Tom Cruise. Let's be honest.
The car chase in Italy may seem like the generic car chase a spy film always have, but look, it fun to see Tom Cruise drifting a Fiat around Italy. 🤣
For me, the entire third act is stunning in terms of entertainment. The entire train sequence is completely of the scales (all I'm going to say is that if you have played 'Uncharted 2' then you'll understand). It's not just entertaining, it's nail biting and heart pounding.
When you watch a 'Mission Impossible' film, you come and stay for the spectacle that's on offer. In this edition of "what dangerous stunt Tom Cruise has up his sleeve" it's the one they are promoting the film with, jumping of a mountain cliff while on a motorbike. If you seen any promotional reels, then you've seen how the stunt is played out, but staying that, it feels so different when you see the full scene being acted out.
Like always, we get a long track shot of Tom Cruise running.
Got a good amount of humour! Nice little gags with Cruise and Atwell in the little Fiat yellow car.
Just like 'Fallout', Lorne Balfe's score is incredible!
Just want to say that, I wish Odeon actually projected the correct version that I paid my ticket for.... Paid for IMAX, sat in the IMAX screen but showed a normal 2D standard version. So sadly I didn't get the full experience as I wanted to.... Anyways....
'Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One' is the blockbuster that this summer has been missing! Full of edge of your seat non-stop thrills, shocks and just pure fun, an adrenaline rush like no other! Tom, we love you. Please don't stop what you doing! ❤️
The wait for 'Dead Reckoning Part Two' begins.... 😩😩😩
So, what are you waiting for? This is your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go watch this (yes I know the UK have gotten it couple of days earlier than most places).
🪂
2023 films: boxd.it/kBxn8
Tom cruise: boxd.it/53mOE
Mission impossible: boxd.it/nErHu
