BLOOD WORK: SILVER TONGUED SILVER SCREEN: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART 1 (2023)

We here at Blood Work love a good action film, the genre being among our favorites. John Wick Chapter 4 and the Finnish film SISU were among some of the best action films this year, both worthy of owning. Of the films we've seen this year, there is another movie that stands right beside John Wick and Sisu: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING.

Admittedly, we're not die hard Mission Impossible fans. We saw the first and second Mission Impossible movies WAY BACK when they first debuted in theaters. But after that we fell off of the series. After Ghost Protocol though we started hearing people talk about Mission Impossible again. Then again with Rogue Nation. When Mission Impossible: Fallout came out all of the buzz surrounding the series finally tempted me to watch again.

The entire series was streaming on Amazon Prime a few years ago. I started with MI4, then MI5, and finally watched Fallout. By the end of my watching I found myself saying, "Wow... I'm actually excited to see the next Mission Impossible movie!" That was the first time I ever said that and I went out to the theaters to see Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1.

I say again for the second time ever, "Wow... I'm actually excited to see the next Mission Impossible movie!"

I loved Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1!

THE PLOT

Ethan Hunt and his crew are tasked with tracking down an activation key for the most advanced artificial intelligence program ever devised. Enemies and allies from across the globe gather around them as the race to control this A.I. begins. Among the opposition is an enemy that seems to know every move Ethan and his crew are about to make, seemingly predicting their future to frightening accuracy. To defeat this new enemy Ethan must outthink himself and everyone else.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

This movie was meant for theaters and delivers one of the best theatrical experiences I've seen in years. The cinematography of this film is intense and immersive, zooming in on hand to hand action sequences, elevating the intensity, and zooming out for the expansive shots of death-defying stunts Tom Cruise has been known for. This movie is a feast for the eyes in terms of cinema. And the sound design is incredibly complimentary with the visuals, enhancing the entire experience. The film uses the theatrical surround sound to great effect, all of it adding up to an experience you can only get in the movies.

Like most Mission Impossible films, the plot of this movie is pretty standard, spy versus spy, race to stop Armageddon, and all that. It's a typical plot, but that's not necessarily a negative. There is something to be said for a movie that knows what it is and executes a genre experience to perfection. In this film the "typical" spy formula is handled very well, while feeling fresh and exciting. Mainly in how the core characters are written, the returning cast each feeling like themselves and acting how we've come to know them. These characters who we've been following for nearly 30 years now, continue to be endearing, charismatic, and entertaining, this film growing our investment in them. As a result of this, I think I've become a genuine Mission Impossible fan.

This is a franchise that has been maintained and curated very well in a time period where so many franchises have been mishandled, mistreated, and outright ruined. But I digress...

The new characters too are both intriguing and welcomed additions. Haley Atwell plays the character of Grace and is the showstealer of the new characters. Why she hasn't been in more movies is a mystery because she is wonderful in this film. Pom Klementieff too is great as one of the villains, badass, creepy, and relentless. Returning stars Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby round out a stellar cast of women in this film, Ferguson being the best beside Atwell. Esai Morales kills it as the villain too, bringing a cold and calculating menace to his character. There is no weak member of this cast.

At nearly three hours long (2 hours, 43 minutes to be exact), this movie flew by. The pacing moves at a rapid clip without sacrificing plot or character development. All in all, this was one amazing movie, maybe my favorite or at least tied for my favorite new movie of 2023.

THE VERDICT

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 is a great example of a properly maintained franchise and a spy film executed to nigh perfection. And this movie is an incredible theatrical experience meant to be seen on the big screen! The visuals and sound remind you of what a great time you can have at the theater. All of the actors deliver great performances and give it their all. I can't wait for Mission Impossible 8 and you better believe I'll be there at the theater for it!

Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10