Nearly three decades have passed since Brian De Palma’s first “Mission: Impossible.” Now, seven films and an outrageous number of death-defying stunts later, Tom Cruise is embarking on what is likely his boldest mission yet: bidding farewell to Agent Ethan Hunt, the entire IMF division, and the adrenaline-pumping productions that have thrilled both actor and audience alike. However, doubts linger, and one gets the impression that Cruise might want to stay.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in a scene from “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One”
“Dead Reckoning Part One” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) a few months after the Innsbruck train brawl. The artificial intelligence known as “the Entity” has grown in power, seizing control of the world’s nuclear arsenals and now dictating the narrative of reality by flooding the media with fake news. Aiding the AI’s imperial ambitions is Gabriel (Esai Morales), who fervently believes in the prophetic abilities of his virtual companion. The U.S. government, led by Madam President (Angela Bassett), assesses the risks but ultimately entrusts the fate of the world to Ethan Hunt. The IMF has 72 hours to locate a device containing the source code on the submarine “Sevastopol” (that key from the previous installment unlocks the “casket”!) and neutralize the rogue AI, preventing a global nuclear winter.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in a scene from “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One”
A Nostalgic Farewell?
From its opening scenes, “Dead Reckoning Part One” embraces franchise fans with a nostalgic montage and, seemingly without coyness, acknowledges that it might be time to say goodbye. While there hasn’t been an official announcement that the eighth “Mission” will be the last, the final decision will likely be made after box office numbers are tallied. Nevertheless, this installment feels like a “farewell party” for loyal viewers. While “Fallout” or “Ghost Protocol” welcomed casual viewers seeking high-octane action without commitment, “Dead Reckoning” is tailored for those in a serious (and perhaps even monogamous) relationship with the franchise. The fan service is confident, delivering cameos from previous installments (some unexpected!), revisiting key moments, unmasking characters, and indulging in sentimental monologues about choices made.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in a scene from “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One”
Stunts and Spectacle
Ethan’s past exploits culminate in the events of this film, including the weight of national security failures resting on his shoulders (legs, torso, and probably even forehead). However, the truly terrifying world under the control of “alternative facts” and the machine-calculated predetermination (fate?) remain a backdrop for the stunts. Ethan Hunt raises the banner of the last hero, much like Tom Cruise, who has cemented his title as the last Hollywood movie star. Behind-the-scenes photos and videos have already teased the insane stunts of the eighth chapter: Tom Cruise flying a biplane, Tom Cruise diving to a sunken submarine in the Bering Sea. The siege of a small plane and selfless acrobatics in the air were breathtaking even in the promotional spots – can any critical text find words more convincing than “wow”? And beyond any (frankly, optional) dramatic structures, it’s hard not to marvel at the possibilities and ingenuity of the staging. The submarine infiltration segment is charged with cinematic energy and the chilling allure of the deep: perhaps the decaying interior of the “Sevastopol” is the most terrifying episode in the entire franchise.
Is This Goodbye?
Despite the dramatic tension and the high stakes of planetary demise, there’s little doubt that this mission is also possible – even with the script-driven risks of Ethan Hunt’s death (no spoilers!). The plot follows a familiar MacGuffin hunt template, refined in previous installments, and the chosen hero’s pathos has lost almost all irony (which was present, for example, in “Rogue Nation” or the aforementioned “Ghost Protocol”) – such dedication seems not so much old-fashioned as too gloomy. However, the focus is on saying goodbye not only to Hunt but to the entire IMF division – a celebration of the heroes of the day that is genuinely touching (perhaps for any workaholics who see their colleagues more often than family and friends). Only the replacement of the leading lady is unsettling: Grace (Hayley Atwell) seamlessly takes the place of Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), whose death was not mourned for very long (perhaps viewers grieve longer). And perhaps because of this, or because of the loopholes for a reunion, there remains a feeling of a mock farewell, a prolonged vacation during which Ethan finally won’t answer his phone.