Joey Magidson
Tom Cruise has returned to save cinemas once again. After almost single-handedly reviving the box office last year with Top Gun: Maverick, the stakes aren’t quite as high this year with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, but there are a ton of eyes on this one, to be sure. Reviews have been very strong, while the early box office returns are excellent. So, Cruise remains a force in Hollywood. That’s not why we’re here though, today. Today, we’re asking you a very specific question. Hell, it’s an Awards Radar Community Question. Simply put, for those of you who saw the film…what did you think of it?
I ranked the franchise outings here, but this here is some of my review of the newest installment:
The Mission: Impossible franchise has not just had some incredible longevity, it’s also one of the rare ones that has also reinvented itself. What started out almost quaint in comparison has now become some of the biggest cinema on the planet. Tom Cruise has shepherded this collection of films to the pinnacle of the action genre. Usually, the movies just build on what they’ve been doing well, ever since the big change between the third and fourth flicks. Here, we have something else going on. Opting for their first two parter, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One tries to do some different things than usual. The result could be a bit more of a divisive entries into the series yet.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a step back from the recent highs of the franchise, but that’s partly in comparison to how good they’ve been of late. We won’t fully be able to judge this one until we see Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two next year, but while Ethan Hunt is showing no signs of weakness, this is the least satisfying outing since the first two sequels. Make of that what you will.
Now, we want to hear from you. What did you think of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One? Did you love the movie? Was it a disappointment? Is the jury still out until Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two? All answers are valid, so be sure to chime in now…
What are your thoughts on Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One? Let us know!
I think I agree 100% with you that this is the weakest of the Christopher McQuarrie-directed Mission: Impossible movies. For a few reasons:
1) Even by the standards of a series that has often been able to make their convoluted techno-babble plots part of their charm, this whole yarn with “The Entity” and pieces of keys and a new villain who was supposedly hugely important to Ethan’s past but has never even been mentioned until now. Hideo Kojima would look at this screenplay and warn “okay, guys, let’s torque it back a bit because this is a little too much.”
2) I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we later learn this required more digital visual effects shots than any previous installment of this series. The CGI here is way more conspicuous than in the other Mission: Impossibles.
3) The other thing. I don’t want to post spoilers but you know what I’m referring to and why I’m sore over it.
Agreed. It does have a Metal Gear vibe to it, which does work better in a game than a movie…