Warning: This review may contain spoilers.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the seventh installment in the Mission Impossible movie series directed by Christopher McQuarrie and co-written with Erik Jendresen.
In the initial few minutes, we are introduced to the antagonist, who has no face, mass, or footprints but possesses immense power to manipulate information, people, and events worldwide. Yes, we are talking about AI, also known as Artificial Intelligence. The premise is also a significant match to TENET; the only difference is that in TENET, the future generation wants to annihilate the present world, and in MI, the AI called Entity wants to play god. We all can relate to this antagonist AI since we all, in every capacity, have felt the tremors of it in our lives.
Another significant match we found with TENET was the role of Enabler. In TENET, Andrei Sator was working as Enabler on the instructions from the future. In MI, it is played by Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, who also played a significant role in Ozark. Just like in Ozark, Esai Morales dazzles the screen with his presence. Esai Morales is a classy, determined, and well-carved-out character who is the secondary antagonist. At the same time, Entity AI is the primary antagonist.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is based on a strong premise while moving away from the regular Russian Nuclear annihilation to the newly profound digital disruptor AI. With advanced algorithms, predictive analysis, disinformation and manipulation tactics, and replication of human and human voices, this AI is insanely potent and naturally poses an existential threat to the world. The writers glorify the capability of AI in the first scene, which emphasizes why this mission is bigger than any other Ethan Hunt has ever traded with. To put it bluntly, director and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie has presented a fresh narrative of an AI going rogue, which does seem like a distinct possibility.
The only way to control or end the AI is by accessing its source code, believed in the Russian submarine Sevastopol lying in the deep waters of the icy cold Bering Sea. The access to the source code is by combining two keys plugged together. The whole mission of Ethan Hunt and his team is to find the keys and deliver them to the safe hands of the US government.
The first half could be faster as overcooked information is constantly bombarded at us through dialogues. The plot begins to thicken from the cat and mouse chase at the airport where Ethan is interested in locating the buyer, Gabriel wants to trick Ethan and his team, and the government agencies want to capture Ethan, which is when Ethan bumps into Grace, a light-handed thief, played by Hayley Atwell. The plot picks pace from this point onwards with well-choreographed and entertaining action sequences.
Expect strong performances from Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell as Grace, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, and Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn. Grace, a reckless driver, totally outperforms her character, trying to dodge police and an assassin while tied to Ethan Hunt. Grace’s character grows incrementally with time, and she swiftly manages to switch on & off her tuning with Ethan, adding some spiciness. Pom Klementieff as Paris, the assassinator, has truly given the chills with her psychotic type character crazily derived to take out Ethan Hunt and Grace.
The hand-to-hand combat scenes in a narrow lane in Venice, the crucifying dilemma put forth by Gabriel, the AI penetrating the comms, and last but not least, the iconic motorbike cliff jump stunt leading to the incredible action sequences on the train are some of the spine chilling action scenes you will witness.
Final Verdict: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a high-octane action saga built on a strong premise and a promising storyline. The music by Lorne Balfe and the cinematography by Fraser Taggart enhance the movie’s atmosphere and tension. Switching masks is now unbecoming; we expect the makers to bring something fresh. The plot has gaps that need to be filled, and we look forward to them being addressed in the sequel.
The theme of AI’s potential danger and influence on society is timely and relevant, and the movie explores it plausibly and excitingly. Tom Cruise smoothly glides on action lovers’ expectations for him. However, the concrete premise of notorious AI augments our curiosity and snares our attention for the impending part two.
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