Buzz
Tom Cruise stands as the most significant hope for revitalizing this year's box office with the action-packed extravaganza, Mission: Impossible 7.
In recent years, the world has been captivated by the race in artificial intelligence. Tom Cruise and his colleagues also embrace this trend, making it the theme for the seventh installment of the billion-dollar action franchise, Mission: Impossible. This time, he continues to portray the talented spy Ethan Hunt, showing signs of aging, but his passion for saving the world remains undiminished.
In the world of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, humanity faces an imminent threat as an artificial intelligence system called the Entity has developed astonishingly, gained consciousness, and seeks to become a force to overthrow humanity. The only hope to control or eliminate this AI lies in two key pieces holding a lost source code.
Ethan Hunt and the IMF team are tasked with retrieving the keys for the U.S. government. Sources indicate that an old friend, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), holds one of the pieces. Following Ilsa's trail, Hunt uncovers horrifying secrets behind this mission. All nations aspire to possess the Entity, turning it into a weapon of destruction. Conversely, the AI system recruits followers to nurture its ambition to overthrow humanity.
The Pinnacle of Mission: Impossible Franchise
Tom Cruise is often hailed as the 'ginger that gets spicier with age.' As an A-list Hollywood star, he not only maintains a solid position in the global film capital for four decades but also sees his career continuously rise. Similarly, the action brand linked with the actor's name tends to elevate in quality with each episode. After the initial three parts received moderate evaluations, Mission: Impossible has now become one of the most awaited global blockbusters, with its rating steadily increasing.
After the initial screenings, both audiences and critics enthusiastically welcome Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. The film currently boasts an impressive 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from a total of 148 reviews. This achievement stands as the brand's highest in over 25 years.
A familiar trait of Mission: Impossible is the tendency to change directors after each episode, bringing a fresh breeze to each film. However, after Ghost Protocol (2011), Tom Cruise seems to have found a reliable collaborator in director Christopher McQuarrie. He became the first to helm two consecutive projects for the franchise, namely Rogue Nation and Fallout. McQuarrie is set to accompany Tom Cruise in what could be the final two installments of the Impossible Mission.
Christopher McQuarrie is known as one of the finest screenwriters in the action-thriller genre in Hollywood. He stands behind the success of many beloved films such as The Usual Suspects (1995), Jack Reacher (2012), and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Therefore, it's understandable that Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One features a tightly woven script, embodying the essence of the spy film genre.
The director thrusts Ethan Hunt into an extremely tense situation where he betrays the IMF, unwilling to aid the government in owning the Entity and turning it into the ultimate weapon. He becomes the target of those who once assisted him. Simultaneously, the Entity is building its own army to protect its core. In the age of information technology, every move by Ethan Hunt is controlled by this artificial intelligence system, held in the palm.
Throughout the film, the plot twists are well-connected, allowing the audience to easily grasp the storyline. The beginning and ending bring numerous unexpected turns for the audience, along with a series of visually stunning action sequences. Meanwhile, the middle part of the film is somewhat lengthy, featuring some loosely resolved and illogical plot points. However, overall, the team succeeds in maintaining a fast-paced and captivating rhythm.
Action remains the trademark of Mission: Impossible
As usual, the most captivating aspect of Mission: Impossible continues to be its unique and creatively rich action sequences. With a budget reaching 290 million VND, this is Tom Cruise's most ambitious project to date. Thanks to this, the team has the means to turn their wildest ideas into reality.
In the opening scenes, Tom Cruise treats the audience to a series of explosive and impressive combat moments. It kicks off with a colossal submarine under the control of the Entity, culminating in its descent to the ocean floor. Following that, Ethan Hunt is tasked to the desert to locate his ally Ilsa Faust - who is being pursued by a horde of bounty hunters to reclaim a crucial key piece.
Towards the end of the film, the investment in action scenes escalates. To introduce the new female lead - master thief Grace (portrayed by Hayley Atwell), the team orchestrates a visually stunning chase through the ancient streets of Venice. The second notable action segment is a chaotic battle on the legendary Orient Express train.
Additionally, Tom Cruise taking on the majority of daring stunts without a stunt double sets the film apart from its competitors. These segments are crafted with high authenticity, minimizing the use of excessive special effects and film editing tricks for a smoother execution. Despite not being overly impressive in dialogue-driven or emotionally revealing scenes, Tom Cruise consistently captivates the audience with his audacious action sequences.
Rating: 4.5/5
For pure entertainment blockbusters, audiences can hardly demand more from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. The film effortlessly combines all the essential elements of a Hollywood action-spy extravaganza.
